Can DNA be used to determine the lineage status of a child?

Summary

DNA is permitted to establish a child's lineage in cases such as disputes, unknown parentage, baby mix-ups at hospitals or care centres, test-tube babies and children missing due to disasters. However, DNA may not be used to determine the status of a child's lineage, much less to take precedence over the li'an procedure, which Allah SWT has set out in the Quran. A father who wishes to deny lineage through li'an must do so from the time the wife's pregnancy is confirmed until three days after birth; a denial after that period is rejected and the child is legitimate and established as his child. Guidelines for DNA testing by the authorities should be tightened because DNA cannot be treated as the primary evidence.

Written in our own words from the original fatwa — check the source before acting on it.