Question

What is the authenticity and explanation of the below?

لا يدخل الجنة ولد زنية

“The child of illicit sexual intercourse will not enter Jannah”

 وولد الزنية ليس عليهم من أوزار آبائهم وأمهاتهم شيء

“The child of zina will not be taken to account for the sin of his parents”.

 

Answer

Allah Ta’ala has clearly mentioned the general rule in Islam:

“None will bear the burden of another [person’s misdeeds].”

(Surah Najm, Verse: 38)

The second Hadith you have quoted is in conformity to the above, and should therefore be understood as the overriding principle.

Correct Translation and Explanation

As far as the first part is concerned, Imam Tahawi (rahimahullah) has explained that the words ولد الزنا (child of adultery) actually refer to one who habitually commits adultery. In the Arabic language, when one commonly repeats a deed, he is referred to as ابن كذا  (the child of that deed), like the traveler is called ابن السبيل (the son of the road) – for him spending so much time on the road.

(Sharhu Mushkilil Athar, Hadith: 911-915)

Therefore, according to this explanation of Imam Tahawi (rahimahullah), the correct translation if the Hadith in question should be:

“One who frequently commits adultery will not enter Jannah.”

Also see Sahih Ibn Hibban, Hadith: 3383.

 

And Allah Ta’ala Knows best,

Answered by: Mawlana Muhammad Abasoomar

Checked by: Mawlana Haroon Abasoomar