Islam and Human Rights — Page 52
Isl am and Hum an R ights 52 Their proper upbringing and the due administration of their property must be ensured. Detailed directions are laid down with regard to the guardianship of minors and the administration of their property. It is the duty of the guardian to check up on the upbringing of the orphan from time to time. When the orphan comes of age and if he is of sound judgment, his property should be handed over to him in the presence of witnesses. A guardian or administrator of an orphan’s property is entitled to a suit able allowance if he cannot afford to give the time necess ary without compensation, but if he is himself in easy circumstances he is not entitled to any compensation (4:7). If the orphan on attaining majority should prove to be of defective judgment, a suitable allowance should be made for his upkeep, and he should be given such advice as he may need, but his property should be duly administered and his interests safeguarded (4:6). The property of the orphan should not be dealt with to his prejudice by exchange or by being held in common with the property of the guardian (4:3). The Quran re - inforces the guardian’s obligation towards the minor in very emphatic language. “Let those who deal with minors have the same circumspection in their minds as they would wish for in respect of their own little ones