Marriage Ties with Children Born to an Apostate During His Apostasy

Question

Mr Shawkat Ali went from being a Muslim to being a Qadiani. He remained a Qadiani for about eight years. The scholars of Deoband and the scholars of the Ahl-e Hadith held debates (munazara) with him. Then he repented and became a Muslim, and this was announced in the newspapers. The question is: what is the Shari‘a ruling concerning the children born during this period? Are they Muslims by following their father or not? May marriage ties be formed with them or not?

Answer

Whoever apostatises (we seek refuge in Allah) and then, by the enabling grace (tawfiq) of Allah Most High, accepts Islam — his Islam is accepted. Those of his children who were born during the state of apostasy, if they are not yet of discerning age, will also be counted as Muslims through his acceptance of Islam; the children born in the state of Islam are Muslims as well;…

Source: Fatawa Mahmudiyya

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