Can Zakat Be Given to Orphans?
Written by Humanity Increased
Islamic content reviewed by: Azhar Azeez
Last reviewed: 2026
Can Zakat be given to an orphan?
Yes, in many cases.
But there is one important rule to understand.
A child does not qualify for Zakat only because he or she is an orphan.
The child must also fall into one of the groups that can receive Zakat.
Who Can Receive Zakat?
Allah tells us who may receive Zakat in Surah At-Tawbah, verse 60.
The eight groups include the poor, the needy, people in debt, travelers in need, and other groups named in the verse.
Many orphans are also poor or in need.
In those cases, they may qualify to receive Zakat.
But every child’s situation should be checked.
Does Every Orphan Qualify for Zakat?
No.
Being an orphan does not automatically make a child eligible for Zakat.
For example, an orphan may live with a family that has enough money to provide food, housing, school, and other needs.
That child is still an orphan.
But the child may not qualify for Zakat because of poverty or need.
Another orphan may live with a widowed mother who has no steady income and cannot afford food, school, medicine, or safe housing.
That child may qualify.
This is why the child’s real situation matters.
Why Does Islam Give Special Care to Orphans?
Islam teaches Muslims to care for orphans with kindness.
The Qur’an speaks many times about protecting and helping them.
The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ also taught us about the great reward for caring for an orphan.
He said that the person who cares for an orphan will be close to him in Paradise, and he held two fingers close together.
Helping an orphan is not only about money.
It is about giving a child safety, care, education, and a chance to build a better future.
Can I Use Zakat to Sponsor an Orphan?
Yes, you may be able to use Zakat for orphan sponsorship if the child qualifies to receive Zakat.
Before giving, ask:
- Does the child qualify for Zakat?
- How does the charity check?
- What does the sponsorship pay for?
- How is the Zakat handled?
- Will I receive updates?
A charity should be able to explain its process.
What Can Orphan Sponsorship Help Pay For?
An orphan may need help with many basic needs.
These may include:
- Food
- Clothing
- School
- Books and supplies
- Medical care
- Safe housing
- Other daily needs
A good orphan program should look at the whole child, not only send money each month.
How Humanity Increased Supports Orphans
Humanity Increased’s current orphan sponsorship is $55 per month, or $660 per year.
The sponsorship helps with different parts of the child’s care.
$40 for Basic Needs
This helps with food, clothing, education, shelter, and medical care.
$8 for the Child’s Future
Each month, $8 is placed into a Sharia-compliant savings program for the child.
The goal is to help the child have something saved when he or she reaches age 18.
We want to think about the child’s future, not only today’s needs.
$5 for Local Case Work
A local case worker helps follow the child’s situation.
This may include checking on:
- School attendance
- Health
- Living conditions
- Family needs
- Other changes in the child’s life
Someone should know what is happening with the child.
$2 for U.S. Program Support
This helps with the work needed to manage the program, keep records, communicate with donors, and provide updates.
Does the Whole $55 Count as Zakat?
Do not assume that every part of every orphan sponsorship program can automatically be paid from Zakat.
Zakat has special rules.
If you want to use Zakat for a sponsorship, tell the charity when you give.
The charity should then handle your donation according to its Zakat policy.
What If the Child Does Not Qualify for Zakat?
You can still help.
You can give Sadaqah or another regular donation.
The reward for caring for an orphan is not limited to Zakat.
An orphan may still need food, school, healthcare, clothes, or housing even if the child does not qualify for Zakat.
Why Long-Term Support Matters
A child does not only need help once.
Children need support month after month and year after year.
A child may need school fees this year.
Next year, the family may need medical help.
Later, the child may need support preparing for adult life.
That is why Humanity Increased believes orphan care should go beyond a monthly payment when possible.
Our goal is to help children today while also thinking about their future.
Can Zakat Help With an Orphan’s Education?
It may be possible when the child qualifies for Zakat and the support is provided in a way that follows Zakat rules.
The same can apply to healthcare and other basic needs.
The important question is not only what the money pays for.
The child must also be eligible to receive Zakat.
Can Zakat Help With Housing?
It may be possible to help a Zakat-eligible child or family with housing needs, depending on how the support is structured.
For example, a poor orphan family living in unsafe conditions may need help with shelter.
Because Zakat rules can depend on how the aid is given, the charity should follow a clear Zakat policy.
What Should I Ask Before Giving Zakat for an Orphan?
Ask the charity:
Does this child qualify for Zakat?
How was that checked?
What does the sponsorship provide?
How will my Zakat be used?
Will someone follow the child’s progress?
Will I receive updates?
These are fair questions.
Your Zakat is an act of worship.
It should be handled with care.
Help an Orphan Today and Prepare Them for Tomorrow
An orphan should not be known only by what the child has lost.
Every child has a future.
Every child deserves the chance to learn, grow, feel safe, and build a better life.
At Humanity Increased, we want orphan support to do more than help a child get through today.
We want to help with food.
School.
Healthcare.
Safe housing.
Local follow-up.
And savings for the future.
If you would like to use Zakat to help an orphan, make sure the child qualifies and that your Zakat is handled according to the rules of Zakat.