The Practice of Adoption
Islam encourages the tender care of children who do not have natural parents or whose natural parents are otherwise unable to meet their needs. However, certain stipulations must be met in order to ensure that the adoptive child knows and respects his or her family heritage and genealogy. The adoption laws in Islam are very similar to what is now known as “open adoption.”
Care of Orphans
The Prophet Muhammad himself was orphaned at a young age, and the Qur'an repeats several times the blessings of those people who care for orphans. The care of orphaned children includes both material and emotional support.
In giving material support, a Muslim adult needs to be careful about keeping the child's financial records and deposits separate from his or her own. This property is to be returned to the child when he or she reaches adulthood. “To orphans, restore their property when they reach of age. Do not substitute your worthless things for their good ones, and do not devour their belongings by mixing them up with your own. This is indeed a great sin” (Qur'an 4:2).
Orphaned children can feel lonely and abandoned. The Qur'an encourages the Muslim adult to provide emotional comfort, and be kind and caring toward the children. “Let them [those who care for orphans] fear Allah, and speak words of appropriate comfort and kindness” (Qur'an 4:9–10). When raising adopted children, Muslim parents are encouraged to treat them well, the same as their other children.
Muhammad once said, “The one who strokes the head of an orphan, doing so only for the sake of Allah, will have blessings for every hair over which his hand passes. And if anyone treats well an orphaned boy or girl under his care, he and I will be like these two in Paradise,” and he put two of his fingers together to illustrate the close relationship.
Carrying the Father's Name
In today's world, many adopted children grow up wanting to learn about their birth mothers and fathers, and many suffer years of anguish when that information is kept secret from them. In Islam, one stipulation when adopting a child is that the child must carry his or her own family name. This is done in honor and respect for the child's parentage and to ensure that children feel connected to their birth families.
The Qur'an is clear: “Nor has Allah made your adopted sons your real sons. Such is only your way of speech by your mouths, but Allah tells you the truth and Allah shows you the right way. 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 name, then call them your brothers in faith, or your associate. There is no blame upon you if you make mistakes; what counts is the intention in your heart” (Qur'an 33:4–5).
Muslims are to recognize that no matter their feelings and desires, adoptive children are not their real blood relations. Thus, adopted children do not inherit from their adoptive parents; they inherit from their natural parents. Likewise, adopted children carry their own family name, not the family name of their adoptive parents.
