Reward of stroking the head of an orphan

1. Imam Ja’far Sadiq (a.s.) narrates from his ancestors that Amirul Momineen (a.s.) said, “If a believing man or woman strokes the head of an orphan with mercy, Allah will grant him/her a light for each hair of the head of that orphan.”

2. Imam Muhammad Baqir (a.s.) narrates that the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.s.) said, “One who is wary of his hard- heartedness and if he strokes the head of an orphan gently, he will become soft-hearted by the order of Allah and it is the right of an orphan.” It is narrated in another tradition that one should make orphans sit in ones gatherings and stroke their heads gently so that one can become soft- hearted. One becomes soft-hearted by the order of Allah as soon as he/she performs this deed.”