Why did Allah decree upon some people severe tribulations for which they are blameless, such as street children and children born of adultery, especially if they find no one to teach them the religion and are exposed to harassment or learn forbidden acts? And what is the ruling on the sins they commit, and what is their fate on the Day of Judgment?
What children do before puberty is not subject to accountability, due to the hadith: "The pen has been lifted from three: from the sleeper until he awakens, from the child until he reaches puberty, and from the insane person until he regains his sanity."
However, they must guarantee what they stole to its owners, because the removal of sin does not remove the guarantee, and due to the saying of the Prophet, peace be upon him: "The hand is responsible for what it takes until it returns it."
Those of unknown parentage are considered orphans, and sponsoring them entitles their sponsor to the reward associated with sponsoring an orphan, due to the generality of the Prophet's saying, peace be upon him: "I and the sponsor of an orphan will be in Paradise like this," and he pointed with his index and middle fingers.
Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026
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