Is helping the ill maternal uncle and the needy who refuse to sell their land for a paltry price considered charity (sadaqah) and upholding kinship ties, or is it more deserving to send money to orphans?

Voluntary charity (Sadaqat al-Tatawwu') may be given to one's maternal uncle, even if he is wealthy. It can be given to the rich without dispute, though giving it to the needy is preferable, and giving it to the rich is disliked. If the maternal uncle is needy and cannot sell his land except at a loss (ghabn), then giving charity to him is more deserving, for the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said: "Charity given to a poor person is charity, and to a relative, it is two things: charity and maintaining kinship ties."