Ruling on illegitimate children

An illegitimate child does not bear any sin because of
his parents’ having committed the sin of zinaa (unlawful sexual intercourse), because
that was not of his doing. They bear their own sin, because Allaah says (interpretation of
the meanings):

“… He gets reward for that (good) which he has earned, and
he is punished for that (evil) which he has earned…” [al-Baqarah 2:286]

“… no bearer of burdens shall bear the burden of
another…” [al-An’aam 6:164]

With regard to his ultimate destiny, the illegitimate person is like
anyone else: if he obeys Allaah and does righteous deeds, and dies as a Muslim, then
Paradise will be his; if he disobeys Allaah and dies as a kaafir, then he will be one of
the people of Hell. If he mixes righteous deeds and bad deeds, and dies as a Muslim, then
his fate is up to Allaah: if He wills, He will forgive him, if He wills, He will punish
him, and his eventual admission to Paradise will be by the Grace and Mercy of Allaah. As
for the hadeeth which says that an illegitimate person will not enter Paradise, this is a
fabrication (falsely attributed to the Prophet SAWS (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon
him)). And Allaah knows best.