Kindness towards the orphan is a significant part of Islam. A core part of Islamic values is social justice. We each have a responsibility to protect and uphold the rights of Allah (SWT)’s creations, especially the vulnerable.  

In poverty-stricken and war-torn countries, many children are left vulnerable and orphaned. In these harsh conditions, they struggle to survive. They lack the support and stability they need to thrive and live a fulfilled life.  

The orphan is mentioned a total of 23 times in the Qur’an. Many of these verses emphasise the importance of protecting their rights, treating them with kindness, or providing for them.  

Orphan sponsorship fulfils many of these responsibilities. It provides an orphan with their basic rights – food and water, education and medical care – and more. It allows them to stay with their families, where they can receive the love and emotional support they need as they work towards a brighter future.  

Hence, there are many rewards associated with sponsoring an orphan, both in this life and the next. Here are ten rewards you can earn if you care for orphans in this way. 

Closeness to Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) 

The act of caring for the orphan is particularly dear to the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ)’s heart. He himself (ﷺ) was also an orphan. His father passed away before he was even born, and his mother passed away when he was a young child. 

In a famous hadith, the Prophet (ﷺ) also said, “The one who cares for an orphan and myself will be together in Paradise like this”, and he (saw) held his two fingers together to illustrate. (Bukhari)  

Having ‘The Best House’ 

The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, “The best house among the Muslims is the house in which orphans are well-treated. The worst house among the Muslims is the house in which orphans are ill-treated”. 

Bukhari (Al-Adab ul-Mufrad)

Ultimately, having the ‘best house’ in Islam isn’t about its material value – how much it costs or how beautiful it looks. The best home is one filled with kindness and love. One that welcomes angels, remembers the Name of Allah (SWT) and loves the Sunnah. This includes showing care and concern for orphans, whether it be through giving charity or spreading awareness of the hardships orphans face.  

Being Among the Righteous

In his Last Sermon given on Hajj, the Prophet Muhammad (saw) taught us that all human beings are completely equal in status ‘except in piety and good deeds’. 

Our status in the eyes of Allah is dependent upon our righteous actions — and one of the ways we can achieve righteousness is by giving to orphans: 

“…[true] righteousness is [in] one who believes in Allah, the Last Day, the angels, the Book, and the prophets and gives wealth, in spite of love for it, to relatives, orphans, the needy, the traveller, those who ask [for help]…”

Quran 2:177

In this verse of Surah Al-Baqarah, Allah (SWT) says spending wealth for His sake is a righteous quality. He (SWT) also specifically mentions orphans as people deserving of our wealth. Hence, sponsoring an orphan is a righteous deed that has been given a truly high status by Allah (SWT).  

Blessed Wealth  

With the cost of living rising, many of us struggle to give as generously as we once did. However, giving for the sake of Allah (SWT) can actually increase our wealth, rather than deplete it. 

“If you were able to rely on Allah properly, you would be provided for just like birds who leave their nests hungry and return full.”

Sunan Ibn Majah

It is important to remember that Allah (SWT) controls our rizq (provision). When we give towards noble causes and put full trust in Him with our wealth, even with our worries about our finances, Allah (SWT) blesses that wealth, and ensures we are provided for.  

“Blessed is the wealth of the Muslim, from which he gives to the poor, the orphan and the wayfarer.”

Bukhari

Can Count Towards Your Zakat 

Zakat (almsgiving) is an obligatory charity in Islam. Every sane Muslim with wealth above a certain threshold (nisab) must give Zakat. Giving Zakat also has many benefits, including purifying our hearts and being one of the keys for us to enter paradise.  

Many orphans in poor and needy communities fall under the category of Zakat. You can fulfil your Zakat through orphan sponsorship. 

Orphan sponsorship can be paid yearly or in monthly instalments. Scholars accept that it is possible to pay Zakat in monthly installments if it is done well before your Zakat is due. If your monthly installments end up being short of the total amount of Zakat you owe on this due date, you must make up for the gap.  

Opens Doors to the Beauty of Jannah 

In the Qur’an, Allah (SWT) describes in detail the beautiful things we will earn in Jannah by doing good deeds, such as giving food to the needy and orphans, purely for His sake: 

“And they give food, in spite of love for it, to the needy, the orphan, and the captive. [Saying], “We feed you only for the countenance of Allah. We don’t want from you either reward or gratitude. Indeed, we fear from our Lord a Day austere and distressful 

So, Allah will deliver them from the horror of that Day, and grant them radiance and joy, and reward them for their perseverance with a Garden ˹in Paradise˺ and ˹garments of˺ silk. There they will be reclining on ˹canopied˺ couches, never seeing scorching heat or bitter cold. The Garden’s shade will be right above them, and its fruit will be made very easy to reach.”

 Al-Insan, 8-14

SubhanAllah, Allah (SWT) is truly the Most Generous. By doing such a simple, kind deed as giving some food to the orphans and needy in this world, Allah (SWT) promises us the luxuries of Jannah, multiplying what we gave many times over. 

Provides a Sadaqah Jariyah 

When you sponsor an orphan, your support stays with them for the long term. Even when they stop needing sponsorship, you’ve helped build this foundation for them to go to school, make a living and empower the next generation.  

The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, “When a man dies, his deeds come to an end except for three things: Sadaqah Jariyah (ceaseless charity); a knowledge which is beneficial, or a virtuous descendant who prays for him (for the deceased).”

Muslim

When a sponsorship provides continuous benefit to the child and, potentially, their future generations to come, it becomes a Sadaqah Jariyah. An ongoing charity that gives you many rewards, even after death.  

Every time the orphan you sponsored uses something they learnt at school, you will be rewarded. Every time they make du’a for you, you will benefit. Because YOU transformed an orphan’s life and helped them fulfil their potential.  

Countless Opportunities for Barakah  

Islamic Relief’s orphan sponsorship program provides one-to-one support for the orphan and their family. We have a field officer assigned to each sponsored child who is informed of any issues the family or the community faces, allowing us to help solve these problems effectively. 

For example, we can provide widows with a sustainable livelihood. Or we can construct proper hygiene and sanitation facilities within the community. This way, a single orphan sponsorship sets off a chain reaction of Sadaqah Jariyah. Thus, providing more barakah to not only the donor and the orphan they sponsor, but also the whole community!  

Entrance Through Jannah’s Gate of Joy  

The Prophet (ﷺ) said, “Paradise has a door which is called “Joy” – only those who bring joy to children will pass through it.“

Dailami

When we support an orphan, Allah (SWT) recognises not only the practical help we give, but also the happiness. Every child deserves to grow up in a loving and supportive environment that allows them to reach their full potential.  

By providing orphan sponsorship for the sake of Allah (SWT), we pray to bring so much joy to children in need. So that, someday, we can be called through the gate of Joy into Jannah. 

Saves Lives 

Sponsoring an orphan goes beyond simply improving their life. It can be a lifeline, potentially saving children in need from poverty, illness, and death. It can positively affect not only the orphan, but also their family and entire community. 

As it says in the Quran, “And whoever saves a life it is as though he had saved the lives of all mankind” (5:32). 

Thus, when you sponsor an orphan, you not only save their life. But you also protect countless future generations of children, ensuring they can still thrive and build livelihoods amid hardship.

Beautiful Benefits of Orphan Sponsorship

All in all, sponsoring an orphan can bring many rewards that benefit us in this life and the Hereafter.  

It brings us closer to the Prophet (ﷺ), gives you ‘the best house’, and is a noble deed – one that can be done as Zakat or Sadaqah.

A Sadaqah Jariyah that contains incredible barakah. One that blesses your wealth and allows you to be called through the gate of Joy into Jannah and enjoy the (literally) heavenly luxuries. On top of all this, it can save lives!  

You can sponsor an orphan for $100 a month (or $1,200 a year), providing them with all their basic needs and more! An orphan sponsorship is truly life-changing, for you, us and the child we support.