Claiming descent from someone other than one’s father for the sake of livelihood
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Fatwa number ( 4169 )
Q: What is the ruling in the Shari'ah regarding one who claims descent from someone other than his father for the sake of livelihood, such as cutting a piece of paper, for example, and this claim was made by changing just one word? For instance, the man who claims descent from someone other than his father has the real name Muhammad Ali Sa'id, but he claimed descent from a man named Umar Ali Sa'id, meaning: the claimant’s name became Muhammad Umar Ali Sa'id after the claim. This claimant, of course, did not deny his father, nor did he deny his family and companions; rather, he maintains ties with them and acknowledges his real father to them and to other people who ask him about his real father. Add to this that his real father has passed away, and the person he claimed descent from has also passed away. Is it permissible for this person who made the claim to continue as he is, or not? And does the severe warning mentioned from the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) include him or not? Please inform us, may Allah reward you with the best reward, so that we may walk in light, knowing that the person who made this claim was unaware of the hadiths of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) before making the claim.
A: Claiming descent from someone other than one’s father is a major sin, and providing information to the authorities that contradicts reality is also a major sin; because all of this is covered by the texts of warning regarding one who claims descent from someone other than his father, and one who lies or bears false witness. It is obligatory for one who has committed this
to repent to Allah the Exalted and to correct his name status by rectifying it before the authorities responsible for it and others; so that the name matches the correct name for him and for the one to whom he claims descent according to the Shari'ah. And success is from Allah, and may Allah send prayers and blessings upon our Prophet Muhammad and his family and companions.
Q: What is the ruling in the Shari'ah regarding one who claims descent from someone other than his father for the sake of livelihood, such as cutting a piece of paper, for example, and this claim was made by changing just one word? For instance, the man who claims descent from someone other than his father has the real name Muhammad Ali Sa'id, but he claimed descent from a man named Umar Ali Sa'id, meaning: the claimant’s name became Muhammad Umar Ali Sa'id after the claim. This claimant, of course, did not deny his father, nor did he deny his family and companions; rather, he maintains ties with them and acknowledges his real father to them and to other people who ask him about his real father. Add to this that his real father has passed away, and the person he claimed descent from has also passed away. Is it permissible for this person who made the claim to continue as he is, or not? And does the severe warning mentioned from the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) include him or not? Please inform us, may Allah reward you with the best reward, so that we may walk in light, knowing that the person who made this claim was unaware of the hadiths of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) before making the claim.
A: Claiming descent from someone other than one’s father is a major sin, and providing information to the authorities that contradicts reality is also a major sin; because all of this is covered by the texts of warning regarding one who claims descent from someone other than his father, and one who lies or bears false witness. It is obligatory for one who has committed this
to repent to Allah the Exalted and to correct his name status by rectifying it before the authorities responsible for it and others; so that the name matches the correct name for him and for the one to whom he claims descent according to the Shari'ah. And success is from Allah, and may Allah send prayers and blessings upon our Prophet Muhammad and his family and companions.
Source
www.alifta.gov.sa
The Arabic text is copied verbatim from the original source, without any edits.