The Ruling on Giving an Illegitimate Child in Marriage

Question

A man married his daughter to another, then it became clear that the husband was an illegitimate child. What is the ruling?

Answer

If he is a Muslim, then the marriage is correct, because there is nothing upon him of the sin of his mother and the man who committed adultery with her, according to the Words of Allah, Most High:

“That no burdened person (with sins) shall bear the burden (sins) of another.” Surah An-Najm 53:38

and because there is no shame on him, if he goes straight on the religion of Allah and if he models himself on standards of behaviour which are pleasing (to Allah), according to Allah’s Words:

“O mankind! We have created you from a male and a female, and made you into nations and tribes that you may know one another. Verily, the most honourable of you with Allah is that (believer) who has At-Taqwa [ i.e. he is one of the Muttaqoon (the pious) ]. Verily, Allah is All-Knowing, All-Aware.” (Surah Al Hujurat 49:13)

And the words of the Prophet (Sallallahu 'Alayhi wa Sallam), when he was asked about the most noble of people, he said:

“the most pious of them…” - and he (Sallallahu 'Alayhi wa Sallam) said: “Whoever was slow in performing (righteous) deeds, his lineage will not avail him.” (Muslim no. 2699.)

And it was reported that he (Sallallahu 'Alayhi wa Sallam) said:

“If one whose religion and character pleases you proposes to you, then marry (your daughter to) him. If you do not do so, it will be a cause of trial in the land and great corruption.” (At-Tirmidhi no. 1084.)

Shaikh Ibn Baz (Rahimahullah)


Reference: Fatawa Islamiyah Volume 5 Page 277-278