Adoption And Issue Of Mahram
Assalam u Alaikum I am not an expert in Islamic law. However, it is my understanding that exceptions are (also) accommodated in Islam on the principle of necessity [1]. Prima facie, the example that you have shared falls under varying or complex societal circumstances. It demonstrates the need of a reverted brother/sister to maintain his/her previously existing relationship or kinship, albeit a non-biological one. I am assuming that the pre-existing relationship is a long-standing one. Given the specifics, there may be a case of implied permission in the absence of an express forbiddance (prohibition) in the Quran and Sunnah [2]. Nevertheless, one ought to consider necessary or recommended precautions in such scenarios. Whether certain precautions ought to be considered (or observed) depends on a case by case basis. For example, ( warning : the following facts may be of poor taste to a certain audience) consider an unfortunate case of a male revert [3] fantasising in the past about or watching Islamically inappropriate content involving step-parent or adopted kin (this is not a judgement on reverts; rather an honest confrontation of the dilemma that has arisen after they have reverted to a religion that stresses upon the sanctity and purity of parental, sibling, or other similar relationships). A newly reverted brother in Islam may have had a healthy relationship with his step-parents and step-siblings in the past. However, he may have unfortunately dealt with ill thoughts, intents, contemplation of certain acts or omissions with his step-parent or kins. This thought process in the pre-Islamic days may not have been a subject of a sin or a moral wrong for the brother. But it is a huge deal per Islamic moral values. Unfortunately, certain habits do not die overnight and require gradual discipline and commitment. Hence, a necessary or a recommended precaution is often suggested by scholars in such situations. This may explain the thought process of the Islamic scholar mentioned by you. Although, I personally appreciate scholars who, instead of throwing black and white one-liners, provide a thoroughly reviewed, insightful and rational response backed by appropriate references to Primary or Secondary Islamic sources. Disclaimer : Again, I am not a Scholar. Kindly consider this response as a layman’s thought process. Please always refer to scholars for expert opinion to learn and protect your Islamic rights and interests. Thank you [1] https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11196-016-9473-x#citeas [2] I have not done sufficient homework to confirm the absence of such a forbiddance. My conclusion may be prone to error, kindly refer to my disclaimer. [3] Considered a better term than “convert” (changing deen/state) since it means returning to one’s original deen/state (a reference regarding each and every Soul bearing witness to God’s Benevolence and Oneness prior to being sent on Earth). Hence, humble and sincere truth seekers inevitably finding and sticking to the right path with the help of their reason and intellect.
Thank you. How does this tie in with the case of Zayd ibn Harithah, as he was adopted son of the prophet PBUH and treated as a Non-Mahram after revelation of the verses relevant to adoption?