Tag: Al-Yateem

The Orphan Sponsorship Program (OSP) in Afghanistan started in 2004 in Kabul, Mazar, Nangarhar, and Bamyan provinces. The program helps destitute orphaned children gain access to elementary and secondary school.

Currently, 5,015 orphans from Afghanistan are enrolled in the program. This support aims to fulfil the educational, nutritional, health, and other basic needs of the orphaned children.

Hijran’s story of hope is one of many from vulnerable families in Afghanistan with children under the Orphan Sponsorship Program. One where sustainable support can provide stability and transform lives, enabling children like Hijran to continue their education, contribute to household income, and nurture hope for the future.

A Young Boy’s Hope

Hijran Sardar Agha, 9 year old, and his family lives in Qabel Bay in Kabul province. There are six members in his family: his widowed mother, his three brothers, his only sister Safa, and himself. His father passed away five years ago after being killed by thieves, and the loss has deeply affected their lives, both emotionally and financially.

No one in his family is able to work. His eldest brother is 14 years old and currently studying in grade six. The only way his mother can provide for them is through the assistance they receive from Islamic Relief. With part of that support, his mother was able to buy a tricycle and rent it out to others, the money from which helps cover some of the family’s daily expenses.

Daily Life as an Orphan Family in Afghanistan

Hijran’s daily routine is quite simple. He goes to school, studies mathematics, and focuses on his lessons. Most of his time is spent studying, completing his homework, and playing with his siblings. His mother takes care of the groceries with the money his sponsorship provides.

Hijran and all his siblings go to school. His dream is to become an engineer one day. It’s a dream he and his mother share, as he wants to support her when he grows up.

One of his family’s biggest fears is that his sister Safa, being a girl, will graduate from the 6th grade and may not be able to continue her education afterwards. They wish for her to keep going to school, just like him and his brothers, so she can have the same opportunities to learn and grow.

Sometimes, on long winter nights, when the family gathers together, his mother shares stories from the past. How life became incredibly difficult after their father passed away. After which, she had the immense responsibility of raising five young children entirely on her own.

During those times, she often struggled to provide for the family, even for their most basic necessities, food, clothing, and shelter, as the family had no stable source of income.

How Islamic Relief Helps Orphan Families Like Hijran’s

Hijran’s orphan sponsorship started 4 years ago. His mother says that Islamic Relief has changed their lives since then and brought her a deep sense of relief and hope. With the support they receive from the program, she is now able to better meet the family’s essential needs.

This includes improving well-being, such as painting the children’s rooms, transforming the dark spaces into bright, welcoming ones with shades of blue and white. His mother also used the cash support to buy three sheep, which have now grown to four, as one of them has had a lamb.

The Orphan Sponsorship Program has not only eased their hardships but has also given their family a renewed sense of hope and stability.

Hijran and his family are sincerely grateful to Islamic Relief and all the generous donors for their continuous support to orphaned families during these difficult times in Afghanistan. Your kindness and assistance have brought hope and comfort to many families like his.

After more than two years of relentless atrocities, a ceasefire deal has been agreed. But for Palestinians in Gaza this is not an end to the nightmare. The toll on children has been devastating.

Homes, hospitals, and schools lie in ruins, and countless families remain displaced. More than 65,000 people have been killed. Furthermore, 39,000 children have been left without parents or guardians to care for them.

Grieving, exhausted, and hungry, they have been shattered and are facing a man-made famine.

Among them are children supported through Islamic Relief’s Orphan Sponsorship Program – young lives marked by unimaginable loss and pain.

Recently, our teams received questions from some of these children following the ceasefire announcement last month. Their words lay bare the trauma of the bombardment, and the longing for safety, home, and family.

Here, we hear from some of Gaza’s most vulnerable.

The questions no child should have to ask

Each question reflects a child’s attempt to understand what has been taken from them. Despite their pain, they hold onto the possibility of a future beyond loss, and here at Islamic Relief, we’re here to support them through some of their hardest moments.

A lifeline of hope

For over 22 years, Islamic Relief has been supporting orphans in Gaza. Since October 2023, the scale of need has grown unimaginably. But thanks to your support and generosity, our Orphan Sponsorship Program has been a lifeline for thousands of children – giving them hope when everything else has been taken away from them.

Islamic Relief has been able to expand our Orphan Sponsorship Program to reach over 21,000 children in Gaza – including 13,500 who have been newly sponsored since the escalation began.

However, we are devastated to report that since October 2023, 175 of our sponsored orphans and 72 guardians have been killed.

Your orphan sponsorship has continued to be a lifeline for the children of Gaza, in the midst of blockade and bombardment.

These vital cash grants help families with access to urgent funds, providing orphan families with access to food , and more importantly, hope.

Supporting Gaza’s orphan children

Now, Gaza’s children continue to face extraordinary hardship. Yet, through your generosity, they are finding strength and hope.

Together, we can ensure that orphans in Gaza are cared for, protected, and given the chance to rebuild their lives.

Rama, 16, is an orphaned child waiting to be matched with a sponsor. Like so many children in Gaza, her world has completely changed since October 2023.

In September last year, Rama’s father and 4 of her siblings were killed when their home in Gaza City was bombed. Rama lost one of her legs and suffered third-degree burns in the attack.

“Tala was 17 years old, Ahmed was 15 years old, Abdul Kareem was 9 years old, and the youngest, Maraam, was two-and-a-half years old,” the children’s mother, Fadia, who also lost a leg in the blast, recalls.

The family is now just Fadia, Rama, 2 other daughters and 3 sons. The survivors have suffered psychological trauma and life-altering injuries.

“I was injured and came out from under the rubble,” Rama says, adding that the family had to stay in hospital for almost 2 weeks. “There was a lack of medication… it was very hard for us to get treatments, so our wounds took longer to heal. We had no food or drink, so we suffered a lot.”

For Fadia, who is struggling to get by with an ill-fitting prosthetic, meeting her children’s needs is extremely challenging. Rama’s burns require intensive dermatological treatment.

“My daughter needs to see a doctor almost weekly,” Fadia says. “Honestly, her condition is taking its toll. I go to bed crying for her and wake up crying for her.”

Fouad, Rama’s 12-year-old brother, was thrown onto the roof of a neighbour’s home by the force of the blast. Emergency surgery saved his leg from amputation, but he has problems with his spine and knee that require physiotherapy. Fouad helps his mother out by fetching water, but he can’t walk far or carry heavy loads. Like Rama, Fouad is waiting to be matched with a sponsor.

Now living in a tent without any source of income, the family are struggling to make ends meet, while grieving their loved ones and coping with their own injuries. The children miss school, and Fadia feels hopeless at times.

“The situation is very difficult, and I don’t know how to sort it out,” she says. “There are days when we can’t find food. Sometimes, we have only a cup of bitter tea to keep going. If good people give us food, we have something to eat, if no one gives us anything, we don’t eat. The situation is very difficult.”

Sponsorship won’t heal the family’s physical and emotional scars, but we can help ease their burden, providing money that they can use to buy food and seek much-needed medical care. As they struggle to keep surviving and piece their lives back together, Rama still dreams of her future. With your support, we can help her get there.

“Now I am struggling a lot with education. All my friends are carrying on with their studies, but in my current condition, I cannot go to the temporary education tents – the roads in Gaza are not suitable for my wheelchair.

“I don’t have a mobile and we have no internet. My academic level has dropped from before, I’m not able to maintain it. I used to memorise the Qur’an, and I learned many chapters. Now I’m unable to keep up with learning. I’m sad when I think about how I used to be and how I am now.

“My ambition was to become a translator and learn a lot of languages. Insha’Allah, we find a sponsor for me so I can work on myself and achieve my dreams.”

Islamic Relief is already a lifeline for more than 21,000 orphaned children in Gaza, but more than 7,000 children like Rama are in our system waiting to be matched with a sponsor.

Be a lifeline for Gaza’s orphans. Palestinian children need your help now.

The ongoing crisis has deeply affected children in Gaza. For almost 2 years, they have faced displacement, loss, starvation and been forced to live through horrific violence.

For tens of thousands of children, these dire conditions are made even worse by the loss of their parents.

Noor is 17 years old and is one of the many children who have been robbed of a childhood, of an education and of her loved ones.

A good life in Gaza ruined by Israeli bombs

Noor lived with her family in Al-Shejaiea, one of the largest neighbourhoods in Gaza. The family lived a simple life, surrounded by farmland and trees, Noor’s two older sisters attended university, while she and her other siblings all attended school.

Every day at noon, the family would return home from their schools, universities and work, to gather around the table for lunch. 

Summaya, Noor’s mother, describes their life together:

“We were a close family before the war. We lived in a very nice house.

“We had a land, a farm, we used to grow vegetables. My husband used to grow tomatoes. Me and the kids used to help him every day. It provided for the children and the house expenses.”

When the bombs began to fall, Noor and her family fled while her father stayed behind to protect the house and his crops. He was killed by Israeli bombs a week later.

“He called me 3 days before his death,” Sumayya says.

“He checked on the children, his mother and me. SubhanAllah, coincidentally, it was like he was giving me his final words.

“‘Forgive me and look after the children.’”

After the death of her father, Noor and her family began an exhausting journey, moving from shelter to shelter as the bombs continued to fall around them. They fled south, moving from Rafah to Khan Younis, and then to the Middle governorate, all the while carrying a simple tent with them for shelter.

Children turned to orphans, forced to face nightmare conditions in Gaza Strip

The total death toll in Gaza has now surpassed 65,000. Tens of thousands of Palestinian children have been robbed of their parents.

Children like Noor have been forced to live through horrifying conditions, confronted with trauma no one should experience.

Noor and her siblings have been forced to live through famine, queuing at charity kitchens just to get a small portion of lentils or pasta, barely enough to prevent starvation.

The children are also missing out on education. There is a single mobile phone in the family, meaning they must take it in turns to complete their online lessons and exams. Poor internet connection and electricity outages only make the situation worse.

After months of displacement, moving from town to town, Noor experienced more trauma when her siblings, Nada and Mohamed, along with their cousins, went to collect wood and experienced a direct missile strike.

“Nada saw the rocket coming down on top of them,” Sumayya said.

“May Allah have mercy on their souls; they bought the 3 of them to me. We carried him [Mohamed] with our hands to the hospital.

Mohamed and some of his cousins were killed. Nada was left traumatised.

“I wanted my scream to reach the whole world.” Sumayya said.

Noor was once a child who loved to play and dreamed of the future, she was looking forward to attending university, but displacement, fear, and the loss of loved ones have completely changed her life.

“I would like to study and continue forward with my life,” Noor tells us.

“I would like to finish my secondary education so I can get to higher education. I would like for a lot of things to be available to me so I can carry on with my education and become a medical secretary.

“I would like for my life to be better than this.”

You can help orphans in Gaza like Noor

Their situation may feel hopeless, but, with your help, Islamic Relief can do more to help children like Noor.

For almost 3 decades, Islamic Relief has been supporting orphaned children in Gaza through one-to-one sponsorship. The Israeli blockade means that much aid is restricted, but our Orphan Sponsorship Program is now one of the few remaining ways to get real support into the hands of suffering Palestinian families.

Noor’s younger sister, Nada, is enrolled in our Orphan Sponsorship Program. The regular stipend gives their mother the means to buy food and other essentials for the family, when goods are available.

“I would like to thank Islamic Relief.” Noor says, “because they support our needs a lot. They provide us with everything. Thank you, Islamic Relief.”

Support orphaned Palestinian children

With many children in dire need as conditions in Gaza continue to deteriorate, generous sponsors are eager to help more than one child in a family. Therefore, we now offer the option to sponsor multiple children within a family.

Gaza’s rising death tolls mean more children than ever are becoming orphans. Heartbreakingly, more than 7,300 orphaned children are now in our system, waiting to be matched with sponsors.

Find out more about how you can be a lifeline for Gaza’s orphans and act today. Palestinian children need your help now.

The Orphan Sponsorship Program is a lifeline for families in Gaza. It supports them with a monthly stipend paid directly into their accounts. This enables families to buy the items they need most when they are available.  

In response to the ongoing crisis in Gaza, Islamic Relief have massively expanded the program. Prior to October 2023, our family supported 7,200 children in Gaza through orphan sponsorship.  

Now, thanks to our generous supporters, more than 21,000 are receiving desperately-needed support.  

But, with the still unpredicable situation in Gaza, many more children need help. Currently, over 7,300 children registered on our system are in urgent need of sponsorship.   

Gaza’s children face unimaginable hardship 

Gaza is one of the most dangerous places in the world to be a child, especially for an orphan. 

More than 67,000 people have been killed in Gaza and thousands more injured since October 2023. It’s a devastation that has left tens of thousands of children without one or both of their parents.  

Every day, for two years, orphaned children and their remaining family members in Gaza face starvation, water scarcity and displacement. Many now live in overcrowded shelters or makeshift tents, which do not protect them from the harsh weather.  

They are living through trauma that most people can barely imagine. The impact of the crisis on their long term physical and mental health is devastating and, in some cases, irreversible. 

Amid so much suffering, we ask, how will our donation make a difference? 

The answer is: a lot.  

Why Sponsor an Orphan 

Since 1998, Islamic Relief has been supporting orphaned children in Gaza. In turn, because of the unpredicable nature of Gaza’s situation, sponsorship is one of the few reliable and sustainable ways donors can help. 

The prices of basic goods have skyrocketed and livelihoods have been destroyed. Orphans and their families are increasingly reliant on support from humanitarian organisations to survive. 

This includes through initiatives such as Islamic Relief’s Orphan Sponsorship Program. In our program, donors are matched with orphaned children in need of support. The families looking after the orphan then receive a monthly stipend, where they have the flexibility to use funds to buy what they most need, when available. 

Orphan Sponsorship Program donors can support vulnerable children in Gaza in three ways. Through a one-to-one sponsorship, sponsor multiple children from the same family, or donating to the General Orphans Fund.  

What is a one-to-one-sponsorship?  

A one-to-one sponsorship is where a donor sponsors the needs of a single child. The orphan child receives the donation in the form of a monthly stipend entrusted to their guardian. 

We use electronic cash transfers to put money directly into the accounts of families, making funds available to allow them to circumvent the cash crisis.  

Prior to the current crisis, the stipends were limited to covering health and education expenses. But we now give the money on an unconditional basis, meaning families can use it to buy what they most need when it is available. 

Through the payment system, families are notified that payments have been made to their e-Wallets, which they are able to use to withdraw money from functioning supermarket.  

The system allows Islamic Relief to see which families have redeemed their codes, and has become a helpful tool in checking in on the welfare of families enrolled in the program. 

Donors will also receive updates on the child they’ve sponsored. It is our aim to provide annual updates, but the situation on the ground has meant that there can be delays in gathering this information and sharing it with donors. 

What is multiple child sponsorship?  

The ongoing bombardment of Gaza has tragically often orphaned multiple children within the same family. Many of our donors have expressed their kind wish to sponsor more than one child from the same family, which we have now made possible.  

 Multiple child sponsorship allows donors to do more to alleviate the suffering of one family by supporting up to 3 children.  

 Multiple child sponsorship fundamentally operates in the same way one-to-one sponsorship does.   

Donors are matched with orphaned children from the same family who are in need of support. The family then receives the donation in the form of a monthly stipend.  

We also provide donors with regular updates on the children and families they sponsor, but due to the situation on the ground we often experience delays in gathering this information and sharing it with donors. 

How many orphans in Gaza need sponsors? 

More than 7,300 orphaned children are in our system, waiting to be matched with sponsors. With a tentative ceasefire and blockade that could return at any moment, it’s very possible that the number of orphans in Gaza will continue to rise. 

Islamic Relief has been working tirelessly to upscale our Orphan Sponsorship Program to reach as many children as we possibly can. With your donations, we can reach even more orphans and their families with much needed support. 

Islamic Relief’s Orphan Sponsorship Program (OSP) had a profound impact on Ahlam Dayib Abdillahi, a 13-year-old girl residing in Hargeisa, Somaliland.

The program, initiated in 1986 with a mission to provide financial support to orphans in various countries. It expanded its reach to Somalia in 2010 and now supports nearly 4800 orphans currently.

Ahlam’s life has been shaped by hardship. She lives with her mother, Kos, and eight siblings in a modest two-room shack house made of tin sheets.

The family’s struggles began with the passing of Ahlam’s father in 2017. This left Kos as the sole provider for her large family.

Before joining the OSP, the family faced immense difficulties meeting their basic needs. Kos tirelessly worked at a stall alongside a street, selling cooked food to support her children. It made it incredibly challenging to afford school fees, uniforms, and essential educational supplies for Ahlam and her siblings.

She afterward transitioned to a clothes and tailoring shop after getting support from Islamic Relief Somalia’s Orphan Sponsorship Program.

The OSP became a lifeline for Ahlam and her family. The program has provided consistent quarterly financial support, covering the crucial expenses of education, transportation, uniforms, and books.

This timely assistance has dramatically improved Ahlam’s academic performance. It enabled her to excel in her studies and rise to the top of her class for the past two years.

Ahlam is a bright young girl with a keen interest in science and mathematics. Her dreams extend beyond academic success. She aspires to become a businesswoman, a testament to her ambition and desire to create a better life for herself and her family. Ahlam envisions a future where she can make meaningful contributions to her community and provide stability for those she loves.

How the new pricing for orphan care sponsorship provides more support

The OSP’s recent implementation of a new pricing plan has been a game-changer for Ahlam and other orphans within the program. The plan increased the quarterly support per orphan, significantly amplifying the impact on their lives.

This generous increase has resulted in a comprehensive support system, encompassing enhanced educational resources, improved healthcare, better access to nutritious food, and additional resources for daily living.

The new pricing plan has alleviated the financial burdens on Kos, allowing her to better manage her livelihood issues while focusing on providing for her children. This increased stability has created a ripple effect, positively impacting the overall well-being of Ahlam and her siblings.

Kos expresses her profound gratitude for the OSP’s unwavering support. She emphasises its transformative impact on her family’s financial situation, educational opportunities, and overall well-being.

How Islamic Relief’s OSP Continues to Save Lives

The program has not only provided essential financial assistance but also extended crucial emotional and psychological support. Thus, creating a more stable and hopeful environment for the family.

The new pricing plan has not only benefited Ahlam. But has also had a widespread positive impact on other orphans under the program.

It has fostered a significant enhancement in educational opportunities, improved healthcare access, increased access to nutritious food, and provided emotional and psychological support.

These improvements have led to better academic performance, improved health outcomes, and a more stable home environment for these children, creating a brighter future for them.

Given the economic challenges faced by Somalia, donors’ increased support for the vulnerable orphan families is better appreciated. This investment is not merely about providing immediate relief. It is about laying the foundation for a brighter future for these children and their communities.

By contributing to the new pricing plan, donors can be a catalyst for lasting change in the lives of those who need it most. We empower them to reach their full potential and contribute to a better tomorrow.

Salahuddin’s story is one of spirit, hope, and the transformative power of an orphan care sponsorship. Born into a family led by a hardworking father, Salahuddin’s early years were filled with the love and support of a supportive family. His father, a courageous labourer, was the sole breadwinner, working tirelessly to provide for his wife, Beheriya Fereja, and their two children, Salahuddin and his younger sister, Amira.

Unfortunately, their world turned upside down when Salahuddin was just three years old. His father passed away due to an illness, leaving the family in a vulnerable state.   

Before his father’s passing, the family lived in a modest rental home, paying 3,000 ETB per month. However, after his death, Beheriya found it increasingly difficult to cover the rent and meet other basic needs.

The situation became very bad as the family struggled to secure even two meals a day. The future seemed miserable for Salahuddin, Amira, and their mother, as they faced devastating challenges. 

How an Orphan Care Sponsorship Changes Lives

In July 2015, a shine of hope appeared when Salehuddin’s sponsorship began through Islamic Relief. This sponsorship marked a turning point for the family, bringing immediate and significant changes. With the support, Beheriya could finally provide regular meals for her children, and the stress of daily survival started to simplicity. The sponsorship not only covered essential needs like food but also helped in purchasing educational materials, clothing, shoes, and other necessities for Salahuddin and Amira.  

Despite the ongoing challenges of high inflation and the economic impacts of COVID-19, the sponsorship supports enabled Beheriya to begin participating in labour work alongside her neighbours, generating a small but vital income to bridge the financial gaps. The family’s situation improved gradually, but a more significant change came with the introduction of the new pricing model for sponsorship.  

The Impact of the Updated Orphan Sponsorship Pricing

The increase in sponsorship payments brought a meaningful improvement to the family’s finances. This change motivated Beheriya to explore additional income-generating opportunities. Inspired by the increased support, she began saving a small portion of the funds and invested in a small business selling butter. This undertaking proved to be a game-changer, allowing her to diversify the family’s income sources and achieve a more stable and sustainable livelihood.   

Today, Salahuddin and his family are successful, and their future looks brighter than ever. The new pricing structure not only provided immediate financial relief but also inspired Beheriya to take practical steps toward self-reliance.  

The story of Salahudin and his family is evidence of the thoughtful impact of sponsorship and how, with a little support, lives can be transformed. The new pricing model has empowered them to move beyond simple survival and into a future filled with possibilities. It is a powerful reminder of the importance of community and the transformative power of giving.  

How does an orphan care sponsorship change the life of a child in need? This is the heartwarming story of Rubab, a bright and determined young girl from Pakistan, whose life has been profoundly impacted by your generous support.

Over the past year, Rubab has blossomed in many aspects of her life, and this transformation is a testament to the life-changing difference your contributions have made. 

Orphan Care Helped Her Thrive in School

Rubab’s educational journey has been nothing short of remarkable. Before orphan sponsorship, she attended a government school. While she was always a hardworking and dedicated student, the limited resources and opportunities at the government school did not fully allow her to reach her potential.

But now, thanks to your continued generosity, Rubab and her elder sister have transitioned to a well-reputed school. One that offers a much higher standard of education.

This change has had an extraordinary impact on Rubab’s academic performance. She now excels in her studies, consistently achieves high marks, and shows a newfound enthusiasm for learning. Her teachers have noted her active participation in class, her inquisitive nature, and her eagerness to take on challenges.

Moreover, Rubab has embraced extracurricular activities with great enthusiasm. This has not only enhanced her academic experience, but also helped her develop essential life skills such as teamwork, leadership, and time management. These activities have further boosted her confidence, allowing her to express herself more freely and explore her interests beyond the classroom.

Orphan Care Gave Her Family Proper Shelter

The positive changes in Rubab’s life extend beyond her education and health. The new sponsorship pricing has significantly improved the living conditions for Rubab and her family.

They currently live in a modest single-room home. However, before this support, the family faced considerable financial challenges. Rubab’s mother, the sole provider for the family, often struggled to make ends meet. Simple pleasures, such as buying new clothes for Rubab, were luxuries that could only be afforded during Eid.

However, the financial relief provided by the new pricing structure has eased these burdens considerably. Rubab’s mother can now manage the household expenses more effectively, allowing Rubab to enjoy the small joys of childhood, such as wearing new clothes more often. This has not only improved their living standard, but has also brought a sense of security and stability to their lives.

Rubab’s Mother Thanks You For Your Support

Rubab’s mother has expressed her deep and heartfelt gratitude for the difference your support has made. She is incredibly thankful for the new sponsorship pricing, which has lifted a significant weight off her shoulders.

The financial stability it has provided has allowed her to focus more on nurturing her children and less on the day-to-day worries of making ends meet. She is overjoyed to see Rubab thriving in her new school and is confident that this opportunity will pave the way for a brighter future for her daughter. 

Your generous contributions have had a transformative impact on Rubab’s life. Because of you, she is receiving an education without obstacles, living in a more stable and supportive environment, and growing up with the hope and determination to achieve her dreams.

The positive ripple effect of your support is evident not only in Rubab’s life but also in the lives of her family members, who are all benefiting from the improved circumstances. 

We cannot thank you enough for the difference you have made in Rubab’s life. Your support is not just an investment in her education but in her future, and we are deeply grateful for your continued generosity. 

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.

For many of us, our parents are our world. Throughout our lives, they look after, shelter and love us unconditionally even after we leave the nest. Yet, around the world, natural disasters, war and ongoing conflict leave thousands of young children as orphans.

No matter how old we are, we can’t imagine what it’ll be like to live without our parents. But, as a vulnerable child in Gaza, Palestine, Soad was only 13 years old when her father passed away in 2011.

The death of a father impacts the wellbeing of Soad and her family greatly

It was extremely painful and hard on Soad to lose her father. Her father was her hero. He was a compassionate and generous man, who inspired her and encouraged her to follow her dreams. His support and guidance helped her deal with the negative attitudes of society towards her disability and provided for her needs. But, after his death, Soad struggled to get the accommodations she needed for her disability.

Currently, Soad lives with her sick mother and two sisters. Together, they, like many other families of orphaned children, face the harsh realities of life and a worsening financial situation. With no breadwinner in the household, Soad’s family struggles to get by without any external support.

Islamic Relief is helping families of orphans like Soad get back on their feet

Around the world, Islamic Relief Australia is providing direct support to orphans in need through our Orphan Sponsorship Program. Funded by the kindness and generosity of our global community, through the program, Islamic Relief can thankfully provide for more families like Soad’s and help grant orphans like her and her two sisters incredible opportunities, including in education.

Thanks to ongoing support, Soad was able to become one of the best-performing students in her last year of high school and achieved 91% in her final exams. She also had high hopes of attending university and being able to work. Through the higher education scholarship fund under the program, Soad was able to achieve this dream, as she is now studying Business Management at Palestine university.

Worldwide, Islamic Relief has been on the ground, assisting orphans such as Soad, who excel at school and want to enter higher education so that they can become the doctors, engineers and teachers of tomorrow. Together, through the Orphan Sponsorship Program, we continue to give thousands of orphans more opportunities to support themselves and contribute positively to their communities.

As the need for Orphan sponsorship continues to grow, by becoming a sponsor with Islamic Relief, you can make a real difference in the life of an orphan and help them build a brighter future.