Calling an Adopted Child “Father” and Changing Lineage in Documents: Sharʿi Ruling
Source: Aḥkām wa Masāʾil in the Light of Qur’an and Hadith, Vol. 1, p. 543
Question (Summary):
A man, Muhammad Aslam, entrusted his young son Muhammad Akram to his friend and Imam, Mawlana Muhammad Yusuf, out of respect and brotherhood — not due to poverty. From childhood, Akram was raised by Mawlana Yusuf like his own son, calling him “Abba Ji.” Later, Aslam himself even wrote Yusuf’s name as the father’s name in Akram’s national ID card. The question is: Is this practice correct in Sharīʿah?
Answer:
Al-ḥamdu lillāh, waṣ-ṣalātu was-salāmu ʿalā Rasūlillāh, ammā baʿd!
In the opening verses of Sūrah al-Aḥzāb, Allah revealed clear rulings regarding adopted (manh-bolay) sons. The summary of these rulings is:
◈ Muhammad Akram should stop addressing Mawlana Muhammad Yusuf as “Abba Ji.”
◈ It is wājib (obligatory) to correct the father’s name in the ID card. Instead of “Muhammad Akram son of Muhammad Yusuf,” it must be written “Muhammad Akram son of Muhammad Aslam.”
◈ Mawlana Muhammad Yusuf has no right to call or present Akram as his son.
◈ Friendship, brotherhood, love, respect, and mutual service are permissible. Such relations may continue without harm.
◈ Serving one another is also allowed.
For a believer, true happiness and success lie in following the commands of Allah and His Messenger ﷺ, not in emotional practices that contradict Sharīʿah.
Hādhā mā ʿindī wallāhu aʿlam bis-ṣawāb.
Source: Aḥkām wa Masāʾil in the Light of Qur’an and Hadith, Vol. 1, p. 543
Question (Summary):
A man, Muhammad Aslam, entrusted his young son Muhammad Akram to his friend and Imam, Mawlana Muhammad Yusuf, out of respect and brotherhood — not due to poverty. From childhood, Akram was raised by Mawlana Yusuf like his own son, calling him “Abba Ji.” Later, Aslam himself even wrote Yusuf’s name as the father’s name in Akram’s national ID card. The question is: Is this practice correct in Sharīʿah?
Answer:
Al-ḥamdu lillāh, waṣ-ṣalātu was-salāmu ʿalā Rasūlillāh, ammā baʿd!
In the opening verses of Sūrah al-Aḥzāb, Allah revealed clear rulings regarding adopted (manh-bolay) sons. The summary of these rulings is:
Sharʿi Guidelines
◈ Muhammad Akram should stop addressing Mawlana Muhammad Yusuf as “Abba Ji.”
◈ It is wājib (obligatory) to correct the father’s name in the ID card. Instead of “Muhammad Akram son of Muhammad Yusuf,” it must be written “Muhammad Akram son of Muhammad Aslam.”
◈ Mawlana Muhammad Yusuf has no right to call or present Akram as his son.
◈ Friendship, brotherhood, love, respect, and mutual service are permissible. Such relations may continue without harm.
◈ Serving one another is also allowed.
The Real Source of Happiness
For a believer, true happiness and success lie in following the commands of Allah and His Messenger ﷺ, not in emotional practices that contradict Sharīʿah.
Hādhā mā ʿindī wallāhu aʿlam bis-ṣawāb.
