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:

My husband and I are considering adopting as child. We have a child already, but want to adopt as its something we have wanted to do. We also plan to have another child at a later date. In Islam, is it permissible to adopt a child when you are able to conceive? 

(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:

Adoption in Islam

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 no one (no idol, no person, no grave, no prophet, no imam, no dai, nobody!) worthy of worship but Allah Alone, and we bear witness that Muhammad (saws) is His slave-servant and the seal of His Messengers.

Regardless of whether one is married or unmarried, regardless of whether one has a child or is childless, regardless of whether one is able to conceive or not, ….. not only is it permissible in Islam to adopt and sponsor orphan children, it is absolutely encouraged and considered amongst the greatest virtues; and if one genuinely takes good care of their adopted children, a means of earning huge rewards from Allah Subhanah.

Allah Says in the Holy Quran Chapter 2 Surah Baqarah verse 177:

177 It is not righteousness that ye turn your faces toward East or West; but it is righteousness to believe in Allah and the Last Day and the Angels and the Book and the Messengers; to spend of your substance out of love for Him for your kin, for orphans, for the needy, for the wayfarer, for those who ask, and for the ransom of slaves; to be steadfast in prayer and practice regular charity; to fulfil the contracts which ye have made; and to be firm and patient in pain (or suffering) and adversity and throughout all periods of panic. Such are the people of truth, the Allah-fearing.

Allah Says in the Holy Quran Chapter 2 Surah Baqarah verse 215:

215 They ask thee what they should spend (in charity). Say: “Whatever ye spend that is good is for parents, and kindred, and orphans, and those in want, and for wayfarers. And whatever ye do that is good Allah knoweth it well.

Allah Says in the Holy Quran Chapter 2 Surah Baqarah verse 220:

220 …..They ask thee (O Prophet (saws)) concerning orphans. Say: "The best thing to do is what is for their good.”

Al-Tirmidhi Hadith 4974 Narrated by Abu Umamah

Allah's Messenger (saws) said, "If anyone strokes an orphan's head, doing so only for Allah's Sake, he will have blessings for every hair over which his hand passes; and if anyone treats well an orphan girl or boy under his care, he and I (Prophet Mohamed (saws)) shall be like these two in Paradise," putting two of his fingers together!

Dear and beloved sister, may Allah Subhanah bless your intention, and from His Bounty and Grace bestow upon you and your husband the promised ultimate reward of being with the Prophet (saws) in Paradise.

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