Is it necessary to know details about the orphan's father, and whether he was legitimate and Muslim? Is orphan sponsorship restricted to Muslims only? What are the orphan's rights upon us and our rights upon him? Up to what age does sponsorship continue? And is the death of both parents a prerequisite for a child to be considered an orphan?

It is permissible to sponsor an orphan, even if their lineage is unknown. This act is considered a form of benevolence and voluntary charity. It is valid for a Muslim and for a non-belligerent individual. It is, however, recommended that sponsorship be directed towards the children of poor Muslims who are at risk of Christianization. An orphan is defined as someone whose father died before they reached puberty. The state of orphanhood continues until puberty, which is identified by the emission of semen, the growth of coarse pubic hair, menstruation for females, or reaching fifteen years of age.