Sponsoring an orphan and its virtues
Sponsoring an orphan is considered one of the greatest good deeds and among the most rewarding acts in the sight of Allah. It elevates the status of the Muslim, raises their rank, and brings them closer to Allah, as they become a reason for changing the life of an orphan who needed care and affection after losing their father. Islam therefore strongly encourages this act in order to reduce the suffering of orphans and help them obtain a dignified life.
In this article, we will learn together about the rights of the orphan in Islam, the virtue and conditions of orphan sponsorship, and how to donate to sponsor an orphan through the trusted Al-Wafaa Humanitarian Association.
Table of Contents
Who Is an Orphan?
An orphan is someone who loses their father before reaching the age of puberty. Such a child remains without material or parental responsibility. A child continues to be described as an orphan until reaching puberty if male, and until marriage if female. Evidence for this is the saying of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him): “There is no orphanhood after puberty.”
Rights of the Orphan in Islam
Islam has given special attention to orphans, emphasizing the preservation of their rights and kindness toward them. The most important rights of the orphan in Islam include:
- Kindness to the orphan in several aspects, such as:
- Preserving the orphan’s wealth from loss and not approaching it unjustly. Allah Almighty says: “Indeed, those who consume the property of orphans unjustly are only consuming fire into their bellies, and they will be burned in a blazing Fire.”
- Treating the orphan kindly with gentle words, avoiding oppression or harm, instilling good morals, and compensating them for the affection they lost.
- Educating, guiding, and raising the orphan properly, and protecting them from deviant behavior that may harm them.
- Caring for the female orphan and preserving her rights until marriage. Allah Almighty says: “And what is recited to you in the Book concerning the orphans of women to whom you do not give what is decreed for them…”
- Educating the orphan and caring for their future so they grow into a righteous and productive member of society.
- Treating the orphan with gentleness, love, and proper upbringing.
- Providing full care, whether health, psychological, physical, or housing-related.
Virtue of Sponsoring an Orphan
Sponsoring an orphan in Islam carries great virtue and immense reward, including:
- Whoever sponsors an orphan will be accompanied by the Prophet in Paradise, as he said: “I and the sponsor of an orphan will be in Paradise like this,” and he gestured with his index and middle fingers.
- It increases blessings and provision for the sponsor and opens many doors of relief and goodness.
- It purifies the soul and wealth and instills mercy in the heart of the sponsor.
- It softens hearts and removes hardness.
- It elevates the sponsor to the highest ranks in Paradise and grants them a unique status with Allah.
- The sponsor receives a reward similar to that of one striving in the cause of Allah.
- It plays a major role in building conscious generations capable of facing life’s difficulties.
- It is a means of fulfilling needs and overcoming hardships.
- It is a characteristic of the righteous believers. Allah Almighty says: “Righteousness is not that you turn your faces toward the east or the west, but righteousness is believing in Allah… and giving wealth, in spite of love for it, to relatives, orphans, and the needy…”
- It strengthens social solidarity.
Types of Orphan Sponsorship
The types of orphan sponsorship include:
- Comprehensive sponsorship, which is the most rewarding. The orphan lives with the sponsor’s family, who takes care of all needs—material, psychological, educational, and moral.
- Financial sponsorship, which can be full or partial:
- Full financial sponsorship: the orphan receives financial support covering housing, clothing, food, and education without living with the sponsor.
- Partial sponsorship, which includes:
- Medical sponsorship: covering healthcare and treatment costs.
- Educational sponsorship: covering school needs and tuition fees.
- Clothing sponsorship.
- Food sponsorship.
- Institutional sponsorship through donations to charitable organizations such as Al-Wafaa Association, which has proven its ability to deliver donations and ensure proper care for orphans.
Conditions for Sponsoring an Orphan
Sponsoring an orphan requires meeting several conditions:
- Ethical conditions:
- Sincere intention for the sake of Allah, not for showing off.
- Preserving the orphan’s lineage and not attributing them to the sponsor.
- Not exploiting the orphan and safeguarding their financial rights.
- Providing complete care, including material and emotional needs.
- Treating the orphan with kindness and justice without oppression.
- Conditions related to sponsoring families:
- Availability of suitable housing.
- Sufficient financial capability.
- A suitable social status (a married couple aged between 25 and 50).
- No criminal records or suspicions.
- Medical proof of no contagious diseases.
- Commitment to applicable child care laws.
- Conditions related to the sponsored orphan:
- The orphan must be under 18 years of age.
- The orphan must be registered with an accredited association.
How to Sponsor an Orphan
Orphan sponsorship is carried out through the following steps:
- Choose a trusted organization such as Al-Wafaa Humanitarian Association.
- Select the desired type of sponsorship (monthly or yearly) and determine the amount.
- Complete all procedures electronically or through branches.
- Maintain commitment and continuity to ensure a dignified life for the sponsored orphan.
Donate to Sponsor an Orphan
You can donate to sponsor an orphan and help transform a child’s life by providing dignity and care through Al-Wafaa Humanitarian Charity, which allows easy online donations and ensures fast, transparent delivery to orphans.
Simply click “Donate Now” and choose on
