A child was born out of wedlock from a Hindu father and a Muslim mother. The father abandoned the child and the mother after birth. A Muslim family adopted the child and gives him a Muslim name.
Can that child lead prayers in a masjid and also can he become an official of a Muslim organisation?
Jazakallah
Answer:
In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
As-salāmu ‘alaykum wa-rahmatullāhi wa-barakātuh.
I pray that you are well, and in the best of health.
Having a relationship with someone of the opposite gender out of wedlock is a heinous act. Consider the following:
“And do not go close to adultery; surely it is an indecency and an evil way.” (Surah Israa verse32).
The abundance of illicit relationships and adultery is a sign of the imminence of the day of judgement. Anas ibn Malik narrates that the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace said),
“From amongst the signs of the imminence of the day of judgement are the uplifting of knowledge, the prevalence of ignorance, the consumption of wine and the abundance of adultery.” (Sahih al-Bukhari)
A child born from such a relationship is termed as walad az-zina (illegitimate offspring). Before mentioning the ruling related to the imaamat such a child, know that it is forbidden to mock and ridicule such a person. Allah the Almighty says,
“And do not insult one another and do not call each other by [offensive] nicknames. Wretched is the name of disobedience after [one’s] faith. And whoever does not repent – then it is those who are the wrongdoers.” (Surah Hujaraat verse 11)
What fault has he done? He isn’t responsible for the actions of his biological parents, nor will he be judged accordingly in the sight of Allah the Almighty. It is mentioned five times in the Quran, “None shall be burdened with the load of another.”
The great Hanafi jurist Mufti Rasheed Ahmed (Allah have mercy on him) mentions,
“Usually the absence of a father in the life of illegitimate children, results in them not being nurtured correctly. This creates disinclination in the hearts of those around them. This is the sole reason why their imamah in salaah is somewhat disliked (makruh tanzihan). However, if this reason is not found within them, and they are pious and knowledgeable, there will not be any dislike whatsoever. Instead, their leadership will be superior to others. This is the same ruling for all roles and positions occupied by such individuals.” (Ahsan al-fataawa 3/295)
And Allah Ta’āla Knows Best
Mawlana Faraz Ibn Adam,
UK
Checked and Approved by,
Mufti Ebrahim Desai.
www.daruliftaa.net