Short answer
In Islamic law an orphan (yatim) is a child whose father has died before the child reached puberty. The status ends at puberty. A child who has lost only the mother is not a yatim in the legal sense, but is still owed special kindness. The four schools agree on this definition.
A yatim is a minor whose father has died. Once the child reaches puberty the legal status of orphanhood ends, though his property is handed to him only when he shows sound judgement with money.
The four schools agree on this.
Explanation
The Prophet ﷺ said there is no orphanhood after puberty. In Arabic, a human child is called yatim when the father dies, because the father is the provider and guardian. Classical lexicons have separate words for a child who has lost the mother, and for one who has lost both parents. The four schools agree on this, and the rulings of the Quran on orphans, such as protecting their wealth, apply to this definition.
Common questions:
- Mother died, father alive: not a yatim in law, since the father still provides. But caring for a motherless child is a great kindness and is rewarded.
- Both parents alive but absent: abandoned or neglected children are not orphans by definition, yet looking after them falls under general mercy and is rewarded. Many charities include them in orphan programmes.
- After puberty: the person is no longer an orphan, but if poor they may still receive zakat and sadaqah.
- Orphan's property: the guardian keeps it safe until the young person is mature enough to manage it, as the Quran commands.
An orphan is not automatically eligible for zakat: they receive it when they are poor, like anyone else. See who can receive zakat. For the reward of caring for one see the reward for looking after an orphan, and for age of puberty see when a child becomes accountable.
The evidence
Quran, Surah An-Nisaa 4:6
وَٱبْتَلُوا۟ ٱلْيَتَٰمَىٰ حَتَّىٰٓ إِذَا بَلَغُوا۟ ٱلنِّكَاحَ فَإِنْ ءَانَسْتُم مِّنْهُمْ رُشْدًۭا فَٱدْفَعُوٓا۟ إِلَيْهِمْ أَمْوَٰلَهُمْ ۖ وَلَا تَأْكُلُوهَآ إِسْرَافًۭا وَبِدَارًا أَن يَكْبَرُوا۟ ۚ وَمَن كَانَ غَنِيًّۭا فَلْيَسْتَعْفِفْ ۖ وَمَن كَانَ فَقِيرًۭا فَلْيَأْكُلْ بِٱلْمَعْرُوفِ ۚ فَإِذَا دَفَعْتُمْ إِلَيْهِمْ أَمْوَٰلَهُمْ فَأَشْهِدُوا۟ عَلَيْهِمْ ۚ وَكَفَىٰ بِٱللَّهِ حَسِيبًۭا ﴿٦﴾
And test the orphans [in their abilities] until they reach marriageable age. Then if you perceive in them sound judgement, release their property to them. And do not consume it excessively and quickly, [anticipating] that they will grow up. And whoever, [when acting as guardian], is self-sufficient should refrain [from taking a fee]; and whoever is poor - let him take according to what is acceptable. Then when you release their property to them, bring witnesses upon them. And sufficient is Allah as Accountant.
Orphanhood is tied to the years before maturity, when the property is held for them.
Sunan Abi Dawud 2873
Grading to be checked... لا يتم بعد احتلام ...
"There is no orphanhood after reaching puberty."
Defines the end of the orphan's status.
Where the ruling is recorded
- al-Hidaya, Kitab al-Hajr (interdiction), chapter on maturity. Handing property to a young person once puberty and sound judgement are reached.
- Radd al-Muhtar (Ibn Abidin), Kitab al-Hajr. Hanafi detail on the guardian and the orphan's property.
Checked by our team. For a more accurate answer to your own situation, consult a scholar. Quran translation by Sahih International. Hadith Arabic from the standard editions of the six books and the Muwatta, with gradings as recorded there; the English is our own rendering. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.