There is no doubt that an incestuous relationship is a heinous sin that is totally forbidden in Islam and abominable and repugnant to all people of sound faith and reason. Society as a whole — especially intellectuals, scientists, and governmental and non-governmental organizations — should raise awareness among the people and protect them from falling into this abyss. Children born of this repugnant relationship have nothing to do with the mistake of their parents, so they are to be treated kindly and fairly as their peers are.
Zeinab Al-`Alawani, instructor of fiqh and Islamic studies, Graduate School of Islamic and Social Sciences, states the following: Incest is regarded as a heinous crime in Islam and is worse than other types of zina. As regards the lineage, in the case of an incestuous relationship the child will be ascribed to his or her MOTHER simply because the latter cannot marry the biological father.
As for the way society should deal with those children, this is a very important point. Islam teaches us that no one should be blamed for the mistakes of others. Almighty Allah says (Who receiveth guidance, receiveth it for his own benefit: who goeth astray doth so to his own loss: no bearer of burdens can bear the burden of another: nor would We visit with Our Wrath until We had sent a Messenger (to give warning))
(Al-Israa’ 17:15).
These children should be treated equally with their peers; they are entitled to kindness, mercy, and care. They had nothing to do with the mistakes of their parents, so they should not bear the burden in their life. They must not be called “bastards” or “illegitimate children,” nor should they be looked at with inferiority. The society should contain them and care for them; otherwise they can easily be potential criminals who may vent their anger and resentment at the society that rejects them and treats them unfairly.
Moreover, Sheikh Ahmad Kutty, a senior lecturer and Islamic scholar at the Islamic Institute of Toronto, Ontario, Canada, states the following: They are children born of an incestuous relationship. It is indeed a most heinous sin. But the children do not bear the burden of the sin of their parents. They are judged by Allah by their own actions. The society must not discriminate against them on account of their parents’ sins; rather the children are to be judged by their own actions alone.
May Allah guard us against such heinous sins and keep our hearts and minds pure and chaste. Ameen.
The prominent Muslim scholar and da`iyahZienab Mostafa adds this: Not only incest is strictly forbidden in Islam, but intimate relationship outside the lawful marriage is also haram. As for the question of whom the children should be ascribed to, they are ascribed to their mother.
As for the role of the society, it should treat the children humanly and kindly because they have nothing to do with the crime of their biological parents. The society should campaign to raise awareness among the people and protect them from falling into this abyss.