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Fatwa CenterHow to Help an Orphan Girl
Question
We have a girl in our community who is an orphan and does not have any relative to care of her. Unfortunately, the Muslim community here is not paying any attention to her. As such she is alone. She did try to make friends with other Muslim girls coming from different countries to study in the US. To her disappointment, she found them more of exploiters than friends. Also, they indulge in gossiping and other un-Islamic activities, which she does not want to be part of. As a result, she prefers to stay away from them. She is alone, and as a human being needs company. She considers me her brother. I know that Islam does not recognize self-created relationships. I give her time. Sometimes I do stay with her in isolation, particularly, when she has some important matter or problem to discuss. I need to know as to how should we keep on with relationship?
Answer
All perfect praise be to Allah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allah, and that Muhammad 
is His slave and Messenger.
The fact is as you mentioned in your question that Islam does not approve any relationship between a man and a non-Mahram woman as known nowadays. Staying alone with a non-Mahram woman is forbidden in the Sharee’ah. The Prophet said: “No man should stay with a lady in seclusion and a woman should not travel alone without being accompanied by her Mahram (unmarriageable male relative or a husband).” [Al-Bukhari]
Know that a good and honest intention does not make lawful what is made unlawful by Allah and His Prophet .
Therefore, we advise you to keep yourself away from this girl and avoid mixing with her. On the other hand, it is permissible for you to help her if you can do so without socializing with her, such as guiding her to an Islamic center to take care of her.
It is also permissible for you to marry her in the presence of her available guardian if there is any; otherwise, an Islamic center at that place can marry her off to you. In fact, you may be rewarded for this act, Allah willing.
Allah knows best.
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