An illegitimate child inheriting the property of the fornicator

Q: What is the ruling on the inheritance of an illegitimate child if his/ her lineage to one who committed Zina (sexual intercourse outside marriage) is confirmed? Does he/she inherit the property of the fornicator or not?

A: The correct scholarly view is that the child is not to be attributed to the man who had intercourse with the woman, unless intercourse took place within the framework of a valid or invalid marriage, or something that may be taken as a marriage contract, or something that may be taken as concubinage. In such cases, the child may be attributed to the man who had intercourse with the woman, and they may inherit from one another. But if it was a case of Zina, then the child cannot be attributed to the fornicator. Based on this, the child also cannot inherit from him. May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings of Allah be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family and Companions.