Is it permissible to strike an orphan for the purpose of disciplining him?

Question:
I have my sister’s children, who are orphans, living with us, and we want them to grow up well-mannered. May we treat them as we discipline our own children? We know that upbringing sometimes requires striking and frightening them if the method of encouragement does not work. We do not like to make them cry, but we may be forced to do so. Please give us a ruling on this, and may you be rewarded.

Answer:
You are doing good in raising these orphans, and you will receive a great reward from Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He) for it. You must be gentle with them as much as possible. If they need to be disciplined for doing something inappropriate, the discipline should be to the extent of the need and not exceed it. Discipline that is to the extent of the need is something for which you will receive a reward from Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He), because it does not harm the orphans but rather benefits them in their future. As for discipline that exceeds the extent of the need, this is not permissible, neither for your own children nor for other orphans whose affairs you are responsible for. It is obligatory to be moderate, to be moderate in disciplining to the extent of the need and what dire necessity calls for. Do not leave them neglected, allowing them to be ill-mannered and grow up with bad morals, and do not exaggerate in disciplining them by frightening them or doing things that harm them. Yes.