(#165)
Question
Assalam wa alaikum,
It has been some time since I sought below clarification however I have another pressing question.
In the Quran in Surah Ahzaab, Allah SWT mentions about blood relationships and that one will be called by their fathers name in the Aakhirah. After being adopted I was given my adoptive fathers surname “Ali”, what is the position in Islam on whether after learning about my biological father, do I now keep the surname “Ali” or change the surname for me and my children to my biological fathers surname “Khan”.
My children are extremely disappointed that I will have to change their surname from the adoptive grandfather to their biological grandfathers name however my position is to follow that which will please Allah SWT as I dont want to be questioned about this by Allah SWT when I finally meet him.
Jazakallah wa khairan
Your Brother In Islam
Answer
بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
السلام عليكم و رحمة الله و بركاته
حامدا و مصليا و مسلما
Muhtaram
We have received your query dated 05/12/2022, our response is as follows:
The child’s father’s name or surname may not be changed. He/she will always be recognised and attributed to his/her own biological father. It should be noted that if a man has fathered a child in Nikaah, the child will always be regarded as his. No matter what happens, the child’s linage can never be changed. Thus, it is not permissible for any other person to attribute the child to his family lineage. He may care for the child if he wishes to do so, but the child must be attributed to his/her biological father. Rasulullah sallallahu alaihi wasallam adopted Zaid bin Harithah radiyallahu anhu. People started calling him Zaid bin Muhammad (Zaid, the son of Muhammad).
Allah Ta’ala forbade them from doing so in the following Aayat of the Qur’aan: “And Allah has not made your adopted children your real sons.” (Verse no.4, Surah Ahzaab) In the next verse, Allah Ta’aala says: “Call them with reference to their real fathers…” (Verse no.5 of Surah Ahzaab)
And Allah Ta’ala knows best
Answered by:
Muhammad Irshad Motara
