Q 2: I intend to sponsor a Muslim orphan through the International Islamic Relief Organization. The sponsorship will be registered in the name of my late mother. Is this permissible? Will she be rewarded for it? Please advise. May Allah reward you.

A: It is permissible to give Sadaqah (voluntary charity) on behalf of your mother by sponsoring an orphan and meeting their need. Your mother will be granted the great reward promised for sponsoring an orphan and you will be rewarded as well. It is authentically reported from Sahl ibn Sa`d (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: I and the sponsor of an orphan in Paradise will be (near to one another) like this - and he (peace be upon him) pointed with his index and middle fingers, holding them apart. It is also reported in the Sahih Book of Muslim on the authority of Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: The one who takes care of an orphan, whether a relative or a stranger, I and them, will be (near to one another) in Paradise like these two. The narrator, Malik ibn Anas (may Allah be pleased with him), pointed with his index and middle fingers. His saying: ...Relative or a stranger..., means that the reward is the same whether the orphan is of their kinfolk or is a stranger. (Part No. 8; Page No. 289) For example, an orphan may be sponsored by a relative such as their mother, grandfather, brother or other relatives. Commenting on this Hadith, Ibn Battal said: "It is the duty of everyone who hears this Hadith to act accordingly to accompany the Prophet (peace be upon him) in Paradise and there is no better place in Paradise than that."May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.