Is it permissible to use Zakat, Sadaqah, and orphan sponsorship funds to purchase supplies for orphanages that house abandoned children?
The basic principle is that orphans and foundlings are not among the eight categories eligible to receive zakat funds, unless one of them possesses a characteristic of those eligible, such as poverty. In that case, it is permissible to give zakat to them. It is also permissible to give zakat to orphanages and foundling homes if those under their care are poor. As for a wealthy orphan, zakat is not permissible for them; rather, zakat is obligatory upon their wealth according to the more preponderant opinion. It is permissible for the supervising entity to purchase what the orphans need, such as food, drink, clothing, and medicine, from zakat funds.
Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026
Read the full answer on Ftawyhttps://ftawy.com/en/questions/44530