What is the ruling of Islam concerning a woman who has given birth to a child out of wedlock (zina), and what is the ruling concerning attributing the child to someone other than his father, and is there repentance for her, and how should her repentance be?

This woman has committed a grave indecency. She must offer sincere repentance to Allah, never return to such a sin, increase her seeking of forgiveness (istighfar) and giving of charity (sadaqah), and maintain her prayers and supplications. She must also conceal herself and not inform anyone of what happened.

We remind her of the words of Allah Almighty: "Say, 'O My servants who have transgressed against themselves [by sinning], do not despair of the mercy of Allah. Indeed, Allah forgives all sins. Indeed, it is He who is the Forgiving, the Merciful.' And return [in repentance] to your Lord and submit to Him before the punishment comes upon you; then you will not be helped." (Az-Zumar: 53-54).

As for the child born from adultery, if the mother was not married at the time of the adultery, the child is attributed to her. If she was married, the child is attributed to her husband, based on the Prophet's (peace be upon him) saying: "The child is for the bed, and for the fornicator is the stone."