Tradition that Denounces the Usurpation of Orphan’s Property
Umar bin Zurarah says that he enquired from Imam Ja’far as-Sadiq (a.s.) regarding the Greater Sins. He said:
“One of the Greater Sins is illegal appropriation of the orphan’s property.”
(BihÄr al-AnwÄr)
Imam Muhammad Baqir (a.s.) narrates from the Holy Prophet (S) that he said:
“On the day of QiyÄma some people would arise from their graves in such a condition that flames of fire would be protruding from their mouths.”
The people asked, “O! Messenger of Allah who are these people?”
The Prophet replied:
“Those who have illegally appropriated the property of the orphans.”
(BihÄr al-AnwÄr)
Imam RiÄa (a.s.) was asked, “What is the smallest quantity of the orphan’s property the appropriation of which causes one to enter the fire (of Hell)?”
He replied:
“When one consumes something belonging to the orphan without the intention of returning it to him. There is no question of less or more.”
The Holy Prophet (S) says:
“On the night of ascension (Miraj) when I was taken to the skies I decried a group of people whose bellies were being stuffed with fire. And the fire was spilling from their anal openings. I asked JibrÄ«l, who they are? JibrÄ«l replied, ‘They are those who used to usurp the property of the orphans unjustly’.”
(Wasa’il ul-Shia)