Source: Fatawa Ilmiyyah (Tawdih al-Ahkam)
A man has an adopted son whose real father is unknown. Can he write his own name in the “father’s name” section for this child?
Al-ḥamdu lillāh, waṣ-ṣalātu wa-s-salāmu ʿalā Rasūlillāh. Ammā baʿd!
An adopted or foster child is not like a biological child. Therefore:
Since the child is not his real son, it is not permissible to write one’s own name in place of the child’s real father’s name. Doing so would be contrary to reality.
In Islamic history, Ziyad ibn Abihi, who was born out of wedlock to Abu Sufyan, was always called Ziyad ibn Abihi (“son of his father”), not son of Abu Sufyan.
✔ If the biological father is known — his name should be recorded.
✔ If the biological father is unknown — terms like Abihi or a similar designation should be used.
Writing the adoptive father’s name instead would:
① Cause falsification of lineage.
② Create complications in Islamic inheritance laws.
For more details, see Fatwa No. 11136.
ھذا ما عندي واللہ أعلم بالصواب
Question:
A man has an adopted son whose real father is unknown. Can he write his own name in the “father’s name” section for this child?
Answer:
Al-ḥamdu lillāh, waṣ-ṣalātu wa-s-salāmu ʿalā Rasūlillāh. Ammā baʿd!
An adopted or foster child is not like a biological child. Therefore:
- Hijab (observing covering) will apply between them where required.
- He will not have any right to inheritance.
Since the child is not his real son, it is not permissible to write one’s own name in place of the child’s real father’s name. Doing so would be contrary to reality.
Historical Example:
In Islamic history, Ziyad ibn Abihi, who was born out of wedlock to Abu Sufyan, was always called Ziyad ibn Abihi (“son of his father”), not son of Abu Sufyan.
Shar‘i Guidance:
✔ If the biological father is known — his name should be recorded.
✔ If the biological father is unknown — terms like Abihi or a similar designation should be used.
Writing the adoptive father’s name instead would:
① Cause falsification of lineage.
② Create complications in Islamic inheritance laws.
For more details, see Fatwa No. 11136.
ھذا ما عندي واللہ أعلم بالصواب
