The husband has died — who supports our orphaned children?

The orphans' maintenance is taken first from the child's own share of the estate, managed by the guardian of their property. If that property is insufficient, the duty of maintenance passes to relatives who have the means, especially the paternal grandfather, and in the Shafi'i school also a mother who has the means. A widowed mother should not be left to bear it alone if there are able relatives on the father's side. In Malaysia, a widow may also apply for help from the Baitulmal, zakat (as one of the asnaf), the JKM, and a derivative pension or PERKESO benefits if the husband was a contributor. Caring for orphans is a deed promised great reward. See maintenance (nafkah).