Do you know anyone who was adopted or raised in a home other than his biological parents? Sure you do . . . three of them are mentioned in the Quran—Prophet Musa
, Prophet Yusuf, and Prophet Muhammad
. Prophet Muhammad and Prophet Musawere orphans, while Prophet Yusuf was abandoned. Evidence shows that adoptions have taken place since early historical times. The need for others to support and maintain children not born of their loin or womb existed thousands upon thousands of years ago and still exists today.
In the West, during the early 1900’s, one of the primary ways in which adoption was practiced was as a solution for mothers who had become pregnant out of wedlock, similar to how abortions are primarily used today.
Because societal regulations during that period sought to protect birth parents and adopted children from the stigma related to an unmarried mother having a child, adoption was and still remains today, a taboo subject, often shrouded in secrecy and shame. Allah
, however, presents a different perspective regarding orphans and adoption. He bestows upon adopted orphans honor, dignity and justice, and demands that others do so, likewise.
Allah says in Quran,
Those who swallow the property of the orphans unjustly are actually devouring fire into their bellies and they shall enter the burning fire.”(Al Ahzab 33:4-5)
Allah also says in Quran,
“Therefore, treat not the orphan with harshness.” (Ash-Sharh 94: 9)
He commands us to:
“Worship none but Allah (Alone) and be dutiful and good to parents, and to kindred, and to orphans…”
These verses from Quran present clear evidence that orphans should be treated honorably and respectably.
Adoption, in both Islam and the West, involves raising and maintaining a child which is not the caregiver’s offspring. However, Islam provides additional stipulations, unlike the West, that provide added protection for the adopted child. One requirement of adoption in Islam is that the child should be made aware that the adoptive parents are not his biological parents. Another is that the orphan retains the name of his parent(s).
Allah says in Quran about adopted children:
“…Nor has He made your adopted sons your real sons. That is but a saying with your mouths. But Allah says the truth and he guides to the right way.” (Al-Ahzab 33:4)
“…Call them by the names of their fathers, that is more just in the sight of Allah, but if you do not know their father’s names, (then they are) your brothers in faith, or your wards. But there is no blame on you if you make a mistake there in: What counts is the intention of your hearts. (Al-Ahzab 33:5)
These stipulations presented in Islam are truly from Allah the Most High—The Knower of the inner recesses of the heart. Allah who created everything and who knows everything.
Man’s inferior laws are in no way comparable to Allah’s perfect wisdom. It is now becoming more and more apparent to those working in the professional spheres of child welfare that preventing adopted children from knowing their true origin can be counterproductive for the child. Of late, there has been an influx of parents who have given up their children at birth and children who have been adopted who are now seeking information surrounding the particulars of their adoption.
Adopted children who have been informed they were adopted have a natural tendency to want to know more about their birth parents. This desire to know more does not in any manner or fashion minimize the love these children have for their adoptive parents. It is merely a tendency that naturally exists within the person. This innate desire to identify one’s biological origins is known to Allah, as previously mentioned, who created each individual. And truly, He knows the nature of His creation.
Numerous stories abound of children who were not informed of their adoption early on and once they became aware of it, felt betrayed by their adoptive parents and completely confused about their identity. Islam ensures adopted children are informed of their adoption. This is truly a mercy from Allah, The Most High. It helps to alleviate some of the problems that may occur in adoption.
Another benefit of the Islamic stipulations requiring that the child know of his true ancestry, and retain the name of his biological parents is that it helps prevent the child from inadvertently marrying his sibling or those relatives unlawful for marrying. This type of situation occurring is not unheard of. It can be utterly devastating, as would be expected, for both parties involved once the truth becomes known.
The conditions of adoption set forth in Islam allow for a more effective and productive adoption process for all parties involved. An effective system for adoption is important, because taking care of orphans is an honorable act in which Muslims are encouraged to participate and where many blessings can be found. The following hadith speaks volumes of the enormous reward those who take care of orphans will receive, insha’Allah:
The Prophet
A noble endeavor indeed!
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5 replies on “Adopting Orphans: A Noble Endeavor”
Assalamu ‘Alaikum
I wish to bring to your notice that there has been some typing error I suppose.
The verse ‘Therefore, treat not the orphan with harshness.’ is from Surah Ad Duha 93-9 and not from (Ash-Sharh 94: 9) as mentioned. Allah knows best.
As for the article I liked it very much and have learnt a lot from it.
Assalamualaikum … I’ve a question … If the biological parents give up their child immediately after birth & the child is adopted & given the name of adopted parents .., then is it permissible ?
I love your article, it made me cry.
I was orphaned and abandoned at birth, after 2 and a half year in a childrenhome and watching every child leave with parents every week, the nuns realized it was too traumatic for me to witness so one of the nuns would take me for a walk every time so not to let me see the families. The superior nun found out that one nun , in secret , took me to her own family on these walks, so I could also enjoy a little love. She got fired and they rushed to get me also a fosterhome or adoption.
There came a family who took me in but instead of a loving home, I was tortured, molested and raped for 15 years as they said I was the filthiest and ugliest creature God had made in the world and I first had to earn to be adopted. They said I was not worthy to have what their real children had, I could only look. They regular stripped me naked, tied me up, tortured me with knives and bb guns and beaten me day in day out. I was not allowed to sit with my fosterfamily or touch them, I could go outside only supervised but no communication allowed, specially with grown ups, not allowed to walk free ( if I had to go to the toilet I had to ask permission) not allowed to speak, only when they asked a question, and that was always bad. I was not allowed to see doctors or medics. At the age of 6 the abuse caused a brain concussion so bad I was not able to move and open my eyes for a month, so they had to call a doctor. As a punishment, they then built a tiny room for me in the atic where I could only have a folding bed ( it was too tiny for a real bed) and a little table and locker.
At the age of 16 in secret I searched and found some biological family who realized immediately what was happening and warned the authorities.They found out that my guardian and caseworkers had neglected me for 14 years. I was finally free and back in a childrenhome. I had no understanding of normal life and normal contact with people. I was too traumatized to talk about my ordeals for almost a year.
When I finally talked, my guardian was summoned and he confessed that he knew that my fosterfamily were raping me all along and that he had instructions to be quiet. Then my guardian confessed to my birthmother and she abandoned me immediately again.
10 Years later, in 1994 I converted to Islam. My Pakistani husband abused me 12 years and stole all my disability pensions and always told me that it doesn’t matter how much I pray that ‘ he found me a kafir and I will always be a kafir’ and that I will go to hell anyway. 12 years he refused to greet me with salaam and threatened to destroy my face and kidnap the children if I wouldn’t stop praying and reading Quran and if I wouldn’t take off my hijab in public. He didn’t pray,fast or practice Islam. I ran to a shelter with my children.
My Quran teacher tried to use me for a passport for her brother, when another sister found out and asked if they had no fear of Allah after all I had already been through, , the Quran teacher told me laughing: “we are from a good family, Allah will never let us suffer the way Jasperine has suffered in her life”
It still hurts very much that nobody ever loves me unconditionally, it hurts to be alone and abandoned and abused just because I am an orphan. By christians like my fosterfamily, atheists like my birthmother and muslims like my ex husband and the Quran teacher. I pray Allah Ta’ ala or the Day of Judgement when all my rights will be paid back to me.
Dear Jesperine,
Assalamualaikum to you sister.
I am so heartbroken reading your notes Jesperine. There’s a lump in my throat as I am writing this to you sister. I wish that I am near you so that I could give you a hug. A very tight hug. I pray that you and your children will always be in Allah SWT protection sister. Better days are coming I am sure. Just don’t give up praying. Allah SWT knows best. Take care of yourself.
Another muslimah from Singapore.
May Almighty Allah guide all muslims aright and bless us with the ability to understand, accept and work with the lessons in this article. May Allah bless the writer and increase him in wisdom.