FatwaFederal TerritoriesCreed (Aqidah)
IRSYAD HUKUM SIRI KE-267 : ADAKAH SAH PENGISLAMAN KANAK-KANAK?
Is the conversion of a child to Islam valid, and what conditions must be met for it to be accepted?
Short answer
According to the majority of scholars, the conversion of a non-Muslim child who has reached the age of discernment (mumayyiz) is valid under Islamic law.
A reference, not a fatwa. First sentence of the summary below — read the original fatwa and consult your state authority before acting.
- Authority
- Federal Territories Mufti Office
- Date
- Status
- Opinion (irsyad)
- Series
- Irsyad al-Hukum (Umum)
- Topic
- Creed (Aqidah)
No evidence of gazettement in the source — this is not a gazetted fatwa.
Summary
According to the majority of scholars, the conversion of a non-Muslim child who has reached the age of discernment (mumayyiz) is valid under Islamic law. The preferred view in the Shafie school, along with a minority opinion, holds it invalid because a child is not qualified to enter contracts or give testimony. Scholars who hold it invalid advise keeping the child away from the influence of non-Muslim parents, while some Shafie scholars such as al-Suyuti accept the child's Islam once the declaration of faith is made. A child may also become Muslim by following a parent who embraces Islam.
Written in our own words from the original fatwa — check the source before acting on it.
Jumhur ulama berpendapat bahawa pengislaman kanak-kanak bukan Islam yang sudah mumayyiz adalah sah dari sudut Hukum Syarak.
Read the full fatwa on the Federal Territories website (new tab)
How to cite
Cite the original fatwa and its authority. Rujuk Fatwa is only where you found it.
Federal Territories Mufti Office. “IRSYAD HUKUM SIRI KE-267 : ADAKAH SAH PENGISLAMAN KANAK-KANAK?”, 14 November 2018. https://muftiwp.gov.my/ms/artikel/irsyad-hukum/umum/2765-irsyad-al-fatwa-siri-ke-267-adakah-sah-pengislaman-kanak-kanak. Found via Rujuk Fatwa: https://rujukfatwa.com/en/fatwa/is-child-conversion-to-islam-valid/