Is it permissible to sponsor an orphan for a temporary period in the country of asylum, given that there is no guarantee of remaining there in the future?

Sponsoring an orphan is one of the greatest acts of charity, and the sacred texts have encouraged it and clarified its virtues. The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said: "I and the sponsor of an orphan will be in Paradise like this," and he pointed with his index and middle fingers.

The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, also urged continuous sponsorship until the orphan becomes self-sufficient, and the reward for this is Paradise. He said: "Whoever takes an orphan, born to Muslim parents, into his care, providing him with food and drink until he no longer needs it, Paradise is absolutely guaranteed for him."

The longer the period of sponsorship, the greater the reward. The most complete form of sponsorship is to continue until the orphan reaches maturity or becomes self-sufficient, and this entails the promised reward in the two aforementioned Hadiths.

Even if the sponsorship does not continue for any reason, great reward accrues from it, and the sponsor falls under what the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, promised, for he said: "And whoever intended to do a good deed but did not do it, Allah records it for him as a complete good deed."