Khums: Adopted Child Mistakenly Registered as Sayyid — What Should I Do?

Practical Laws of Islam as per the teachings of Imam Khamenei

Khums: Adopted Child Mistakenly Registered as Sayyid — What Should I Do?

English:

Question #1007:

I adopted a boy and called him Ali. I, then, referred to the registration centre to acquire identification card for him. In it, they described the child as a sayyid. I did not accept this since I am afraid of Prophet Muhammad (s.). Now I am stuck in two situations; either to refuse his adoption or to commit the sin by accepting him as a sayyid while he is not a sayyid. Which one of the two situations should I choose? Please give me some guidance.

Answer #1007:

The shar‘ī effects of being son do not apply to the adopted child. Also shar‘ī rulings and effects of being a sayyid do not apply to the person whose real father is not sayyid. However, to adopt a child and provide him with his needs when there is nobody to look after him is a very good and admired act in Islamic law.

-Imam Khamenei, Practical Laws of Islam, Importance and Conditions of Khums