I'm sorry to be the mullah in here but there are some rules regarding adoption in Islam that we need to observe, though not many of us do. This is just a FYI post and i feel not many of us know about these rules.
- The concept of adoption in Islam is like that of a foster parent / child.
- If a boy is adopted, he becomes na-mehram to the foster mother when he comes of age, i.e. he will have to adopt a relationship with her like he has with all other na-mehram women.
- Similarly if a girl is adopted, she becomes na-mehram to the foster father when she comes of age.
- A foster parent can not pass on his/her family name or surname to the adopted child. It is very important for the adopted child to keep his/her family name (if known) to protect his/her identity and due to other legalities that may arise later on.
- The idea is for the foster parent to raise the orphan, pay for his/her education, living expenses and and all such expenses and troubles that an actual parent would undertake.. without actually assuming the role of an actual mother or father.
Some might argue that these rules are strict and inhumane as they can
- Prevent a couple without children to truly experience the love a parent has for its child.
- Prevent an orphan from truly experiencing the love of a mother or a father.
The answer to this is that if you subscribe to the teachings of Islam it is understood that you do believe in the Day of Resurrection. The parents without a child and the orphan without a parent have no doubt great difficulty in this life but there are however great unimaginable rewards for them in the Life Hereafter.
This is my understanding of the rules, please correct me if i am wrong. Allah knows best.