Ways to Assist an Orphan 

Ways to Love an Orphan? 

 Allah Almighty commanded His servants to be kind to orphans, as this was mentioned in many places in the Qur’anic verses, such as in Surah: 

وَٱعْبُدُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ وَلَا تُشْرِكُوا۟ بِهِۦ شَيْـًۭٔا ۖ وَبِٱلْوَٰلِدَيْنِ إِحْسَـٰنًۭا وَبِذِى ٱلْقُرْبَىٰ وَٱلْيَتَـٰمَىٰ وَٱلْمَسَـٰكِينِ وَٱلْجَارِ ذِى ٱلْقُرْبَىٰ وَٱلْجَارِ ٱلْجُنُبِ وَٱلصَّاحِبِ بِٱلْجَنۢبِ وَٱبْنِ ٱلسَّبِيلِ وَمَا مَلَكَتْ أَيْمَـٰنُكُمْ ۗ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَا يُحِبُّ مَن كَانَ مُخْتَالًۭا فَخُورًا  

Worship Allah ˹alone˺ and associate none with Him. And be kind to parents, relatives, orphans, the poor, near and distant neighbours, close friends, ˹needy˺ travellers, and those ˹bondspeople˺ in your possession. Surely Allah does not like whoever is arrogant, boastful— 

(An-Nisa 4:36) 

Kindness and Support to an orphan is one of the greatest offerings with which a slave draws closer to his Lord, and it is a kind of righteousness, as the Prophet preached to everyone to be  good to orphans, even by simply passing your hand over heads. 

According to UNICEF, there are roughly 153 million orphans worldwide1. The World Orphans website states there are approximately 140 million orphans throughout the world. 

There are many other ways to love for an orphan child, including the following 

• Gentleness and kindness to him.  
• Thanking and praising the child when he practices any positive and good behaviour. 
•  Ignoring some of the wrong practices that the orphan may fall into, but it must be intervened if these practices pose a danger or harm to his health, and these behaviors should not be met with corporal punishment, because this punishment will turn into the opposite result.  
• Occupy his time with various and useful activities and works. 
•  Take care of him, be patient with him and endure him, and it is not preferable to compare him with others. Everyone knows that stubbornness is the common trait among young people, and therefore wisdom is the only solution. 
•  Go with him for a walk outside. 
•  Making Dua for him for his guidence and success. 

•  Listening to him, because listening increases the psychological comfort of the orphan.  
• Give him a chance to express his opinion, do not mock or scold him.  
• Bringing joy and pleasure to oneself; this is one of the greatest closeness to Allah Almighty.
   

How can you support an Orphan? 

Assisting an orphan can take various forms, and it often depends on the specific needs and circumstances of the orphan. Here are some general ways to help and support orphans: 

In Islam, assisting orphans is highly encouraged, and various ways to support them are outlined in Islamic teachings. Here are some Islamic ways to assist orphans: 

1. Go visit them. 

Go on a mission trip to an orphanage. You can go on a construction trip, or a medical trip. Taking your family on an orphanage mission trip can be life changing.  

1. Financial Support (Sadaqah and Zakat): 

Giving regular charity (Sadaqah) and obligatory almsgiving (Zakat) to financially support orphans. 

Contribute to orphanages or organizations that support orphans. 

Sponsorship programs that provide financial assistance for education, healthcare, and basic needs. 

1. Guardianship (Kafalah): 

Providing guardianship for orphans, ensuring their physical, emotional, and financial well-being. 

1. Education Support: 

Provide scholarships or cover educational expenses. 

Offer tutoring or mentorship to help with studies. 

1. Healthcare Assistance: 

Support medical expenses and health check-ups. 

Donate to organizations that focus on the health and well-being of orphans. 

1. Emotional Support: 

Volunteer your time to spend with orphans, offering companionship and mentorship. 

Organize events or activities to boost morale and create a positive environment. 

1. Skill Development: 

Provide vocational training or skill development programs. 

Help them acquire skills that can lead to future employment. 

1. Basic Needs: 

Donate clothing, food, and other essential items. 

Contribute to programs that ensure basic needs are met. 

1. Community Integration: 

Encourage community involvement and acceptance. 

Create awareness about the needs of orphans to reduce stigma. 

1. Speak up for them. 

In your wallet or purse, keep a picture of a child who needs a home. When you are visiting with other believers, pull out the picture and ask if they, or someone they know, would give this child a home. Become a Court Appointed Special AdvocateRaise awareness about the challenges faced by orphans in your community. 

1. Networking: 

Connect with organizations, communities, or individuals working to support orphans. 

Facilitate collaborations to enhance the impact of assistance. 

Remember that cultural and local contexts can influence the most effective ways to support orphans. It’s essential to engage with the community and relevant stakeholders to understand the specific needs and preferences.