"Any woman who falsely attributes a man to people to whom he does not belong, has no share from Allah, and Allah will not admit her to His Paradise. Any man who denies his son while looking at him (knowing that he is indeed his son), Allah, the Mighty and Sublime, will cast him away, and disgrace him before the first and the last on the Day of Resurrection."
Hadith Text
"Any woman who falsely attributes a man to people to whom he does not belong, has no share from Allah, and Allah will not admit her to His Paradise. Any man who denies his son while looking at him (knowing that he is indeed his son), Allah, the Mighty and Sublime, will cast him away, and disgrace him before the first and the last on the Day of Resurrection."
Scholarly Commentary
This profound hadith from Sunan an-Nasa'i addresses two grave violations against lineage (nasab). The first part concerns women who falsely attribute paternity - a major sin that severs one's connection to Divine mercy and Paradise. Scholars explain this includes both falsely claiming a child is from a specific man when he is not, or denying a child's true lineage.
The second part addresses men who deny their legitimate offspring while knowing the truth. This constitutes rejection of Allah's decree in assigning lineage. The severe warning of being cast away and disgraced before all creation emphasizes the sanctity of lineage in Islamic law.
Imam al-Nawawi comments that these acts undermine the very foundations of family structure and social order. The preservation of lineage is among the five essential objectives of Islamic law (maqasid al-shari'ah), making violations particularly severe.
Legal Implications
In fiqh rulings, false attribution of lineage (al-qadhf fil-ansab) invalidates testimony and damages credibility. The Hanafi school considers it among the major sins (kaba'ir) requiring sincere repentance.
Denying one's child while knowing the truth constitutes both a violation of trust and rejection of Allah's distribution of provision. Scholars stress that establishing clear lineage protects inheritance rights, mahram relationships, and family honor.
Spiritual Dimensions
Ibn al-Qayyim explains that these sins represent rejection of divine decree - the woman rejects Allah's distribution of children, while the man rejects Allah's assignment of provision and responsibility.
The exclusion from Paradise mentioned here, according to al-Qurtubi, refers to entering without reckoning. Such sinners will require Allah's special mercy after undergoing punishment, unless they repent sincerely before death.