Mu' meneen Brothers and Sisters,

As Salaam Aleikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh. (May Allah's Peace, Mercy and Blessings be upon all of you)

One of our brothers/sisters has asked this question:

If we the adopted child does not have equal right to property, then will he not feel hurt ?

(There may be some grammatical and spelling errors in the above statement. The forum does not change anything from questions, comments and statements received from our readers for circulation in confidentiality.)

Answer:

Adopted child hurt

In the name of Allah, We praise Him, seek His help and ask for His forgiveness. Whoever Allah guides none can misguide, and whoever He allows to fall astray, none can guide them aright. We bear witness that there is none worthy of worship but Allah Alone, and we bear witness that Muhammad (saws) is His slave-servant and the seal of His Messengers.

Allah says in the Holy Quran Chapter 33 Surah Ahzaab verses 4-5:

…Allah has not made your adopted sons your real sons. These are the things which you utter from your mouths, but Allah says what is based on reality; and He Alone guides to the Right Way. Call your adopted sons after their father’s names; this is more just in the sight of Allah. And if you do not know who their fathers are, then they are your brothers in faith and your friends. There is no blame on you if you say something unintentionally; but you will surely be to blame for what you say with the intention of your hearts. Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.

An adopted child obviously does not have the same inheritance rights as one’s real child; but the adopted parents have an option in Shariah to make a will and bequeath upto a maximum of one-third of their wealth to them, if indeed they wish to do so.

Your Question: If we the adopted child does not have equal right to property, then will he not feel hurt ?

The Laws of Islam are based on the Perfect Wisdom and the Absolute Knowledge of Allah Subhanah, the Lord and Creator of the Worlds! Once a child knows that he was an helpless orphan and in their mercy, his foster-parents adopted him, loved him, took care of him for so many years, spent on his upbringing since his adoption…..did absolutely everything that one does with one’s own child….it would only be expected that such a child, if indeed it sincerely believes in Allah and the Last Day, would and should appreciate the kindness of his foster-parents and be extremely grateful rather than feel hurt at not having equal inheritance rights!

Whatever written of Truth and benefit is only due to Allah’s Assistance and Guidance, and whatever of error is of me alone. Allah Alone Knows Best and He is the Only Source of Strength.

Your brother and well wisher in Islam,

Burhan