Should orphans’ money be kept safe or spent on their needs?

Question

Question: A certain sum of money belonging to orphan children is with their uncle, the father’s elder brother. The children are being brought up by their grandfather. The guardian, the grandfather, wants to take that money from the children’s uncle, but the uncle refuses and says: “When the children become mature, I will pay that money to them then.” May the children’s guardian deduct what he spends on them from the children’s money or not?

Answer

Since the money is in their ownership, their necessary expenses may be met from this money; the uncle has no right to refuse.

Source: Fatawa Mahmudiyya

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