Is it permissible for an adult adopted son (20 years old) to continue sitting with his adoptive mother (55 years old) who did not breastfeed him?
Source: FtawySummary from Ftawy's records · added here Sep 2, 2026
A woman's adoption of a child does not confer the legal status of sonship, and it is not permissible to treat him as a son regarding physical contact, seclusion, or inheritance. Rather, it falls under the category of sponsorship (), which carries great reward.
If the child reaches puberty, he is not obligated to leave the house, but he is considered a stranger to her if there is no reason for mahramiyyah, such as suckling.
If there is no mahramiyyah, she must observe complete in his presence, and it is not permissible for her to seclude herself with him without a .
Summary from Ftawy's records · added here
Reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
Read the full answer on Ftawyhttps://ftawy.com/en/questions/125557
Where this answer came from
- Source platform
- Ftawy
- Original fatwa ID
- 125557
- Added here
- . This is when the answer was added to El Fatwa, not the fatwa's date.
- Text
- Summary from Ftawy's records, reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
- Read the full ruling
- Read the full answer on Ftawy