Q: What is the ruling on uncovering my face in front of the person who brought me up and adopted me and what is the ruling on my living with him in the same house? It is noteworthy that I live in Al-Madinah Al-Munawwarah with my husband with whom I have problems. I may ask for divorce and then I have to live in Sudan. I have no one to turn to except this person. (Part No. 20; Page No. 363) Am I sinful if I live with and uncover my face in front of my adoptive father, even though I have no relatives and no one else but him?

A: It is impermissible for you to either live with this person who adopted you or to uncover your face in front of him as he is Ajnaby (a man other than a husband or unmarriageable male relatives) for you. Moreover, your attribution to him is not legitimized by adoption which is forbidden by Allah's Statement: Allâh has not made for any man two hearts inside his body. Neither has He made your wives whom you declare to be like your mothers’ backs, your real mothers. [az-Zihâr is the saying of a husband to his wife, "You are to me like the back of my mother" i.e. You are unlawful for me to approach], nor has He made your adopted sons your real sons. That is but your saying with your mouths. But Allâh says the truth, and He guides to the (Right) Way. Call them (adopted sons) by (the names of) their fathers: that is more just with Allâh. But if you know not their father’s (names, call them) your brothers in faith and Mawâlîkum (your freed slaves). And there is no sin on you concerning that in which you made a mistake, except in regard to what your hearts deliberately intend. And Allâh is Ever Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful. This Ayah means that an adopted child does not become the son of the man who adopts him and calls him his son. Actually, your sons are those who were born from you. Saying that this son is the son of so-and-so who adopts him and calls him by his name is merely your saying with your mouths what is false. Allah speaks the truth; namely truthfulness and certainty. He orders you to obey Him and follow His Shari`ah (Law) and commandments. (Part No. 20; Page No. 364) Allah (Exalted be He) has directed Muslims to keep for their adopted children the names of their real fathers. This is just and righteous, but if their biological fathers are not known, then they should be called brethren in faith. Not knowing their fathers cannot be justification for adopting and calling them by the names of the adoptive parents. Support and brotherhood in Islam is sufficient. Accordingly, it is impermissible for you to claim blood ties to this man. You should stay with your husband and ask Allah to help bring about reconciliation between you. Yet, there is nothing wrong with greeting this man without shaking hands with him, thanking him for his kind treatment with you and supplicate Allah for him. May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings of Allah be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family and Companions.