What is the ruling on sponsoring an orphan on behalf of a living person, such that the reward and merit accrue to the living person, while the sponsorship is carried out without their knowledge?

It is permissible to dedicate the reward of good deeds to the living, but it is better for a person to work for himself to benefit from the reward, because dedicating the reward to the living was not known during the era of the predecessors. Rather, what was known from their guidance was calling to goodness, praying for them, enjoining truth and patience, and cooperating in righteousness and piety.