Author:
Dr. Muhammad Zia ur Rahman Azmi (may Allah have mercy upon him)
Fixing a Wage for the Trustee of a Will
Allah Almighty states in His Sacred Book regarding the guardians of orphans:
«وَاعْبُدُوا اللَّهَ وَلَا تُشْرِكُوا بِهِ شَيْئًا ۖ وَبِالْوَالِدَيْنِ إِحْسَانًا وَبِذِي الْقُرْبَىٰ وَالْيَتَامَىٰ وَالْمَسَاكِينِ»
[An-Nisa: 36]
“And worship Allah and do not associate anything with Him, and do good to parents, relatives, orphans, and the needy.”
It is also stated:
«وَيَسْأَلُونَكَ عَنِ الْيَتَامَىٰ ۖ قُلْ إِصْلَاحٌ لَّهُمْ خَيْرٌ ۖ وَإِن تُخَالِطُوهُمْ فَإِخْوَانُكُمْ ۚ وَاللَّهُ يَعْلَمُ الْمُفْسِدَ مِنَ الْمُصْلِحِ»
[Al-Baqarah: 220]
“And they ask you about the orphans. Say: Improving their condition is best, and if you mix with them, they are your brothers; and Allah knows the corrupter from the reformer.”
If a trustee (guardian of the will) wants to take wages for his services or a specified profit from the orphan’s wealth, he should refer to the Islamic judge (shar’i ruler) who will determine this in accordance with Islamic law.
«And Allah knows best.»
[Ibn Baz: Majmoo’ al-Fatawa wa al-Maqalat: 103/20]
