Yatim
Who is an orphan? What to know before you sponsor an orphan
The word, the children programmes support today, and where zakat fits in.
Who counts as an orphan
In Arabic, a yatim is a child whose father has died, until they reach adulthood.
Where the father was the only earner, his death leaves the household with no income.
You can sponsor an orphan and see each month’s support. See which charities have a 100% donation policy, and how each one pays its costs.
The children programmes support when you sponsor an orphan
Father has died
The yatim in the classic sense, and the heart of most programmes.
Mother has died
Many organisations support these children too, often within the father’s family.
Both parents have died
Usually cared for by grandparents, aunts or uncles, sometimes in foster care.
Families left destitute
Some programmes include children whose families have lost everything. Ask each organisation how it defines who it supports.
Orphans and zakat
Being an orphan does not by itself make a child eligible for zakat; being poor or needy does (Quran 9:60). Many orphans are both, which is why zakat-funded sponsorship exists. If you give zakat, ask the programme to confirm it keeps zakat for eligible children only.