He replied:

If his captor was a Muslim, the child is deemed Muslim. If his captor was an unbeliever, or neither possibility has been established by proof, he is not deemed Muslim. His children follow his status in either case. Allah knows best.

He also wrote—may Allah sanctify his soul:

In the name of Allah, the Most Merciful, the Especially Merciful.

From Ahmad ibn Taymiyya to Sarjawān, the eminent leader of the people of his faith, and those under his care among religious leaders, eminent priests and monks, princes, secretaries, and their followers.

Peace be upon those who follow right guidance.

To proceed: We praise before you Allah, besides whom there is no god, the God of Abraham and the family of ʿImrān. We ask Him to bless His chosen servants and the prophets He sent, and to bestow His blessings and peace especially upon the messengers of firm resolve, who are the foremost of creation and the leaders of nations. They were singled out for the taking of the covenant: Noah, Abraham, Moses, Jesus, and Muhammad.

Allah Most High named them in His Book, saying—mighty and majestic is He:

“He has ordained for you of