Question:

I was just curious about adoption in Islam, and if it is allowed and what are the rules/conditions?

Answer:

There is no problem with adoption, rather its very rewarding to look after an orphan. The only issue is that the rules of Mahram & non-Mahram must be observed.

Answered by: Sheikh Mansour Leghaei

Follow-up Question:

You said we have to observe the mahram ruling. If my husband and I adopt a child from birth, is this still a must? And if so, at what age must it come into effect? Under what circumstances can a child become mahram through adoption?

Answer:

In Islam, the only way two people may become Mahram is either by birth (to be of the same parents) or by being breastfed from the milk of the same mother, or by marriage. Just by being adopted after birth,  no Mahramiyat will be made.

So, if the adopted child is 2 years of age or less, and is breast fed by the foster mother for one night and day (or fifteen times consecutively), then this child becomes mahram to the foster family. For example, if the child is a boy and is breastfed either by the adopting lady or her sister or her daughter, the adopted boy will be Mahram to that lady as he will be either her foster boy, or her nephew, or her grandson. Similarly, if the adopted child is a girl, she can become Mahram to the adopting man if either his wife, his daughter, his sister or his sister’s daughter breastfeed her.

Answered by: Sheikh Mansour Leghaei