Fatwa ID: 06470
Answered by: Maulana Yūsuf Badāt
Question:
If someone is adopting a child, and the law here is, that you have to give him your family name, will this be allowed? Do they also give the option to have two names, his family name and yours?
In the name of Allāh, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
Answer:
Adopting a child is a praiseworthy deed.
Changing one’s name or family name is permissible as long as the intent is not to conceal one’s biological lineage or family. The Prophet Muḥammad (peace and blessings be upon him) had changed the names of some of his Companions. It is permissible for you to give the adopted child, if the law in your country requires, your family name or jointly keep his and your family name together. However, the child must be informed about his actual biological lineage and family.
The Prophet Muḥammad (peace and blessings be upon him) said, “Verily, one of the worst lies is to claim falsely to be the son of someone other than one’s real father.” – (Ṣaḥīḥ Bukhārī 3509)[1]
“And he has not made your adopted sons your [true] sons. That is [merely] your saying by your mouths, but Allāh says the truth, and He guides to the [right] way. Call them by [the names of] their fathers; it is more just in the sight of Allāh. If you do not know their fathers – then they are [still] your brothers in religion and those entrusted to you. There is no blame upon you for that in which you have erred but [only for] what your hearts intended. And ever is Allāh Forgiving and Merciful.” – (Qur’ān: 33:5)[2]
Only Allāh knows best
Written by Maulana Yūsuf Badāt
Checked and approved by Mufti Mohammed Tosir Miah
Darul Ifta Birmingham
[1] إِنَّ مِنْ أَعْظَمِ الْفِرَى أَنْ يَدَّعِيَ الرَّجُلُ إِلَى غَيْرِ أَبِيهِ – رواه البخاري ٣٥٠٩
[2] وَمَا جَعَلَ أَدْعِيَاءَكُمْ أَبْنَاءَكُمْ ذَٰلِكُمْ قَوْلُكُم بِأَفْوَاهِكُمْ وَاللَّهُ يَقُولُ الْحَقَّ وَهُوَ يَهْدِي السَّبِيلَ ادْعُوهُمْ لِآبَائِهِمْ هُوَ أَقْسَطُ عِندَ اللَّهِ فَإِن لَّمْ تَعْلَمُوا آبَاءَهُمْ فَإِخْوَانُكُمْ فِي الدِّينِ وَمَوَالِيكُمْ وَلَيْسَ عَلَيْكُمْ جُنَاحٌ فِيمَا أَخْطَأْتُم بِهِ وَلَٰكِن مَّا تَعَمَّدَتْ قُلُوبُكُمْ وَكَانَ اللَّهُ غَفُورًا رَّحِيمًا – سورة الأحزاب ٣٣:٥
