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Caring for orphans is a significant part of Islam. Orphans are mentioned 22 times in the Qur’an, and we are instructed on how they must be treated. The mistreatment of orphans is a major sin, while nurturing and sponsoring them is an immensely valuable good deed. Orphans and widows are entitled to Zakat, and support from others can truly transform their lives and protect them.
Sponsoring an orphan is one of the best things we can do to help others and to elevate our own ranking with Allah (swt). It is hugely rewarding, and incredibly important. Our beloved Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) was an orphan himself, and encouraged us to care for orphans. We have been taught to extend compassion, care and support to orphans.
The Messenger of Allah sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam said:
“I and the one who looks after an orphan will be like this in Paradise,” showing his middle and index fingers and separating them.” [Sahih al-Bukhari]
When mentioning certain good deeds in the Qur’an, Allah also describes in detail the beautiful things in Jannah we will earn by doing these good deeds. In Surah Insan, Allah describes people who give their food to orphans and the needy, 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”’. (The Noble Qur’an, 76:8-10)
Orphans are incredibly vulnerable. Without the support of one or both parents, in communities where they are already struggling, futures seem dark and bleak. According to UNICEF, almost 10,000 children become orphans every single day.
When many of us hear the term orphan to describe a child or young adolescent, we picture no father and mother. However, in Islam the term ‘orphan’ is broader. It can also apply to children whose fathers have passed away or have been absent. By recognizing the struggles that a child can face with even one missing guardian, Al Mustafa Welfare Trust helps thousands of children all over the world live a better life.
In many impoverished countries, women are fully dependent on their husbands and fathers. Most women do not work and have access to money. In everyday life, they hold virtually no decision-making power or authority. This means when their husbands pass away or disappear, they are left in very challenging circumstances, and often unable to care for themselves and their children. In cases where widows are unable to provide for their children, children are at huge risk. At home, they lack good food, clothing and healthcare. They are often required to work in unsafe conditions or to beg on the streets in order to help their families put food on the table. They are at risk of grooming, abduction, abuse and sexual exploitation.
In some communities, orphan children are more susceptible to early and child marriage. Often, this is a decision made by male elders in the family who wish to facilitate greater security for the family. However, this is a practice that needs to be challenged, and causes great difficulty to the child. Children should be happy, at school and building their own bright futures. However for orphan children, they are often not given this opportunity.
Sponsoring an orphan with Al Mustafa Welfare Trust enables us to provide them with excellent, high quality care, meeting all of their needs. We place education as the cornerstone to our child-centred projects, with a firm belief that education enables children to thrive. We help children escape the claws of poverty and help them grow up safe, healthy protected, happy and empowered.
Your sponsorship will:
- Provide an orphan child with a safe, warm and loving home
- Ensure an orphan child gets quality education at an excellent school
- Provide food, clothing and water to an orphan child
- Provide psycho-social support and counselling for children so they are able to heal and grow.
We always focus on safety and protection, ensuring they are safe, and providing girls with the knowledge and skills to combat abuse and mistreatment. We empower them and give them platforms to stand up against wrongdoing against them by the law, the state, their family, and the local community.
