Can the amount of an orphan's sponsorship (kafala) be transferred for the treatment of the sick if she is not in need of the money, and would the donor be sinful for doing so?
It is permissible for a Muslim to stop donating for the sponsorship of an orphan or a poor person for any reason, such as financial hardship or redirecting the donation to another charitable cause. However, it is not permissible for him to reclaim what he has already paid to the orphan's maternal uncle, because retracting a charity after the beneficiary has taken possession of it is not permissible by the consensus of scholars. This is supported by the prophetic Hadith: "The one who takes back his gift is like a dog that vomits and then returns to its vomit," and in another wording: "The one who takes back his charity." As for discontinuing the sponsorship in the future, there is no harm in it if it becomes clear that the child no longer needs it. However, it is preferable not to rush and to thoroughly confirm the orphan's self-sufficiency, as her grandfather's saving of the funds might be a good management on his part.
Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026
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