The reward for sponsoring an orphan is closeness to the Prophet (ﷺ) in Paradise. He 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 (Bukhari). Sponsorship also brings the reward of spending on others and a softer heart (Islamweb), and it is open to anyone who wants a lasting door of good.
- Closeness to the Prophet (ﷺ) in Paradise.
- A reward compared to that of the mujahid and of the one who prays and fasts.
- A softer heart and help with your own needs.
- A door open through full sponsorship or a partial contribution.
What Is the Sponsor’s Place in Paradise?
This closeness is the highest reward mentioned for sponsoring an orphan. Sahih Muslim gives a fuller wording: “One who looks after the orphan whether he is his relative or not, I and he would be together in Paradise like this,” and Imam Malik explained it by drawing his index and middle fingers close together. The reward therefore covers the relative and the stranger alike.
What Is the Reward for Spending on an Orphan?
Allah describes His righteous servants with these words: “And they give food in spite of love for it to the needy, the orphan, and the captive” (Quran 76:8, Saheeh International). The Prophet (ﷺ) also compared the one who looks after a widow or a person without means to a mujahid in Allah’s cause, or to one who prays all night and fasts all day (Bukhari). An orphan is usually among those without means, so this reward is hoped for by whoever looks after one.
How Does Sponsoring an Orphan Soften the Heart?
A man complained to the Prophet (ﷺ) of the hardness of his heart. He told him to show mercy to an orphan, stroke the orphan’s head and feed him from his own food, so that his heart would soften and his need would be met (reported by al-Tabarani, graded authentic by al-Albani). The benefit does not stop with the orphan. It returns to the sponsor’s own heart.
Allah also forbids harming the orphan: “So as for the orphan, do not oppress [him]” (Quran 93:9, Saheeh International). Sponsorship means care as well as money, and you can read about that side in social care and psychological support for orphans.
How Can I Earn This Reward?
The most complete form is to take the orphan into your home and care for him, while he keeps his lineage to his father. If you cannot, a monthly sum that covers his needs is complete sponsorship, and a smaller contribution still carries great virtue.
For the rulings and steps in detail, see the orphan sponsorship guide, and for practical options, read how to sponsor an orphan.
The Reward for Sponsoring an Orphan: Short Answers
Does a monthly payment count as sponsoring an orphan?
Yes. If it covers the orphan’s food, clothing, housing and education, it is complete sponsorship. If it covers only part of these needs, the virtue is still great.
Must the orphan be a relative of the sponsor?
No. The hadith in Sahih Muslim covers the one who looks after an orphan whether he is a relative or not.
Must the orphan live in the sponsor’s home?
No. Whoever provides what the orphan needs is a sponsor, though the most complete form is to take the orphan into your home.
What is the difference between sponsorship and adoption?
In sponsorship the orphan keeps his lineage to his father. Adoption, in the sense of attributing a child to someone other than his father, is prohibited.
