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:

I was born out of wedlock. My "father" was absolutely irrisponsible thereafter. Never looked after me never took me to school. when I became of age and had curiosity to know my father (form two) I went looking for him. He welcomed me in his homestead and that was it. He never supported me finish school. I wanted my mum to join me since she had problems in her marriage but this man declined. I had to solicit assistance from relatives and welwishers until I finished my degree course. Now Iam working alhamdullillah, I have no feelings to this man. He wants me to help him financially. am I in anyway obliged to help him? All along mum never abandoned me. She could walk long distances to come know how Iam doing wherever Iam. This man was never bothered at any stage. By the way he is a xtian and my grandfather(mum) was amuslim who introduced me to Islam and alhamdullillah am happy being one. Pls advise me what to do. 

 

(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:

 

Duty of child born out of wedlock

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.

 

Your Question: …..He wants me to help him financially. am I in anyway obliged to help him?

First and foremost, a child born out of wedlock is absolutely free, blameless, and innocent of the grave crime of ‘zina’ of his parents.

 

Secondly, because you were born out of wedlock, you have absolutely no legal or moral responsibility towards your biological father, nor does your biological father have any legal or moral responsibility towards you.  You will be called and recognized by the name of your mother, you will inherit your mother, and your mother will inherit you.  

 

Thirdly, you will not be known or recognized by the name of your biological father, neither will he inherit from you, nor would you inherit from him.

 

We reiterate again that as a child born out of wedlock, you have absolutely no legal or moral responsibility towards your biological father.  If your biological father has asked you for some help, you are under absolutely no moral or legal obligation to help him, if you do not wish to do so. 

 

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