Establishing the lineage of a child born at six months

Question

Zayd married, and six months and twelve days later a girl was born to him with a fully formed body. After the marriage Zayd spent the nights with his wife without any objection. Now, when the girl was born after six months and twelve days, people merely spread the rumour that this girl is not a six-month one but of the ninth month. The ‘ulama’ were asked, and they said: “There are twelve extra days; there is no doubt about this.

Answer

The Sharia has adopted the path of great caution in establishing lineage, and as far as possible has given no one occasion to call any child a child of zina (walad al-zina) and illegitimate. It has also protected the honour of the Muslim man and woman: no one is permitted to call anyone (a debauchee, a fornicator, a fornicatress)

Source: Fatawa Mahmudiyya

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