Adoption, acknowledgement of paternity and false genealogical claims in Arabian and Islamic societies

The common view of adoption in pre-Islamic times is that it was widespread, that adoptees were the legal equals of biological sons, and that the institution was abolished with the advent of Islam. In the first part of this study the first two of these views are called in to question. In the second part it is argued that adoption, acknowledgement of paternity and false genealogical claims are three distinct practices, although scholars often confuse one with another. The differences between them are explained, and sources of confusion identified. Finally, Islamic alternatives to adoption are briefly discussed.