All perfect praise be to Allah the Lord of the Worlds. May His peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Mohammad and upon all his family and companions.
There is no objection in Islamic law to adding foster children to the services provided by the state to the foster family, such as health insurance and education, if the regulations and laws allow that. This is because there is a great reward for caring for these children, as Islamic law encourages such thing. The renowned Islamic scholar, Imam al-Nawawi, may Allah have mercy on him, said: "Among the rulings concerning a foundling is that the person who finds them is obligated to preserve and care for them……. In this context, the term 'custody' is used to refer to the preservation and upbringing of the foundling" [Rawdat al-Talibin, Vol. 5/Page 421].
One of the ways to ensure the well-being of these foster children is by facilitating procedures for foster families, especially those who have not been blessed with children of their own, to encourage them to care for these children. This is to spare them (Children) getting neglected and becoming a potential threat to society. Even if the state cannot financially support them, it becomes obligatory for others to provide sufficient support. If some individuals undertake this responsibility, the obligation is considered fulfilled for the rest. Otherwise, all involved parties would be considered sinful.
Sheikh al-Islam Imam al-Nawawi, may Allah have mercy on him, stated, "Expenditure on the foster child is to be taken from the public treasury. If there is no money in it, or if there is something more important, like guarding the frontiers where significant harm would occur if neglected, the Muslims take care of it collectively, and it is not permissible for them to neglect it" [Rawdat al-Talibin, Vol. 5/Page 426].
In conclusion, we advise everyone, whether they are official authorities or individuals, to collaborate in caring for foster children and to facilitate procedures for foster families. And Allah the Almighty knows best.
