Giving illegitimate children a place in society

Question

Here in the town of Siyana, Bulandshahr district, a woman was living her married life with her husband. Meanwhile, about twenty-five years ago, she left her husband and went off unlawfully with another man, and after running away from home she began living with that man without talaq and without nikah. From her were born two boys and two girls; both the boys and the girls are now adults, and the man from whom these four children were born died about ten years ago. Now these children have no guardian.

Answer

These children have committed no crime. They should be given a place in society and treated with compassion, so that they receive a good education and upbringing. As for this woman, she should be made to repent of her unworthy and base conduct, and an effort should be made to bring the rest of her life into conformity with the Shari‘a.

Source: Fatawa Mahmudiyya

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