Caring for and Sponsoring an orphan is one of the most righteous deeds encouraged by Islam, and it is among the most rewarding acts that draw a Muslim closer to Allah.
Islam has given special attention to orphans and has urged their care due to the immense reward that comes with supporting them in both this world and the Hereafter.
In this article, we will shed light on the virtue of fostering orphans in Islam, the importance of this duty, and the conditions that must be met to properly care for an orphan.
The Virtue of Sponsoring an orphan in Islam
The Love of Allah:
Sponsoring an orphan is one of the deeds that earns Allah’s love.
The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said in a famous hadith: “I and the one who fosters an orphan will be like this in Paradise,” and he pointed with his two fingers, the index and middle fingers (Bukhari).
This hadith signifies the high status of the one who fosters an orphan in the Hereafter, and that they will be close to the Prophet (PBUH) in Paradise.
Great Reward in the Hereafter:
Sponsor an orphans is one of the means to salvation on the Day of Judgment, as Allah promises a great reward for those who fulfill this responsibility.
In the Qur’an, Allah says in Surah Al-Insan: “And they give food in spite of love for it to the needy, the orphan, and the captive” (Al-Insan: 8), which indicates that caring for orphans brings immense reward in the Hereafter, as well as psychological satisfaction.
Achieving Social Solidarity:
By fostering orphans, social solidarity is achieved, which encourages taking care of children who have lost their parents.
Through this action, society becomes more cohesive and cooperative, and it strengthens the values of mercy and compassion among the members of the community.
IWF is supporting 650 vulnerable households in Afghanistan, including orphans, widows, women-headed families, and people with disabilities, with cash grants to start and expand income-generating activities.
Conditions for Sponsoring an orphan
Ensuring Genuine Need:
The one who Sponsors an orphan must ensure that the child is genuinely in need of support.
The orphan should be in difficult circumstances, either due to the death of the parents or the inability of the family to provide for the child’s basic needs.
Providing Basic Needs:
The sponsor must be committed to providing the orphan’s basic needs, such as food, clothing, education, healthcare, and shelter.
Sponsorship does not merely involve providing financial support but also includes comprehensive care to ensure the orphan’s development in all aspects of life.
Fair Treatment:
The Sponsor must treat the orphan kindly and equitably, ensuring that the child does not feel any difference between them and other children in the household.
The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said: “He who does not act justly with his children does not act justly with people” (Muslim).
Fair treatment helps the orphan feel psychologically stable and aids them in adapting to life.
Guiding and Supporting the Orphan Psychologically:
The sponsor must guide and support the orphan, especially during adolescence.
Proper guidance helps the orphan grow into a productive individual in society and strengthens their self-confidence.
Providing Good Education:
One of the key conditions for Sponsoring an orphan is providing them with quality education, enabling them to build their own future.
Islam emphasizes the importance of knowledge, as the Prophet (PBUH) said: “Whoever follows a path in search of knowledge, Allah will make a path for him to Paradise” (Muslim).
The Role of the International Waqf Fund in Sponsoring orphans
The International Waqf Fund plays a significant role in achieving this noble goal.
By allocating funds and resources to support orphans, charitable waqf organizations can effectively contribute to fostering orphans.
Islamic endowments promote social solidarity by establishing various programs for fostering, including financial support, education, and healthcare.
Donations and charitable contributions collected through the International Waqf Fund’s website help provide a dignified life for orphans and contribute to building a strong community based on cooperation and mercy.
Therefore, donating to foster orphans is one of the best deeds a person can undertake, as these donations help improve the lives of orphaned children and provide them with a bright future.
IWF is empowering orphans in Afghanistan with cash grants to help them start and grow income-generating activities.
Conclusion
Sponsoring an orphan is a tremendous responsibility and a noble act of worship in Islam, representing a path to Allah’s Paradise and His pleasure.
By providing both material and psychological support to orphans, the community can achieve the necessary social solidarity.
Through the collective efforts of individuals and waqf organizations, fostering can make a real difference in the lives of orphans and offer them the opportunity to live with dignity.
Let us all collaborate in fostering orphans and contribute to donations that can help provide a better life for those in need of our support.
May Allah bless our efforts and accept them as good deeds on the Day of Judgment
