What is the legal status of a child born when lineage cannot be definitively established between two potential fathers?
General Chapter
Al-Mughni
Book of Waiting Periods ('Iddah)
Primary text
Abu Bakr stated that the lineage of the child is lost because there is no proof attributing him exclusively to either man, similar to someone who is insane. Abu Abdullah ibn Hamid held that the child should wait until he reaches maturity to be attributed to one of them, or if the genealogist attributes him to both, the lineage is established for both. The implied ruling of the Madhhab is that the 'iddah' concludes for both relationships if lineage is established from both. If the genealogist negates the lineage from both, the ruling reverts to the case of ambiguity, requiring three menstrual cycles of 'iddah' after delivery. The negating opinion of the 'qaifah' does not negate the lineage from both fathers, as the function of the genealogist is to favor one claimant, not to negate lineage from all potential fathers.