Chapter on the Inheritance of a Child of Uncertain Parentage

"A man from the Ansar came to my father (as) and said: 'I have been afflicted with a great matter. I had a maid whom I used to have relations with. One day, after being intimate with her, I went out for some of my needs after performing ghusl. I later realized I had forgotten some of my provisions, so I returned home to retrieve them and found my servant lying with her. I then counted nine months from that day, and she gave birth to a girl.' My father (as) said: 'It is not appropriate for you to approach her nor to sell her. However, spend on her from your wealth as long as you are alive, and when you die, bequeath that she continues to be provided for from your wealth until Allah (swt) grants you and her a way out.'"

I asked Imam (as) about a man who had a maid with whom he had intimate relations, and she would go out to fulfill his needs. She became pregnant, and he feared that the pregnancy might not be from him. What should he do? Should he sell the maid and the child? Imam (as) replied: "He may sell the maid, but he must not sell the child, nor should he give the child any share of his wealth through inheritance."

he heard rumors of her misconduct. Abu Abdullah (as) said: "Tell him that when she gives birth, he should keep the child and not sell it, and he should allocate a share for the child from his house." It was then said to Imam (as): "What about a man who had intimate relations with his maid but did not send her out for errands, yet he suspected her and she became pregnant?" Imam (as) replied: "When she gives birth, he should keep the child and not sell it, and he should allocate a share for the child from his house and wealth. This case is not like the previous one."