Nigeria News Today: Islamic Cleric Declares DNA Tests for Paternity Forbidden in Islam
By Amanabo Ocholi | The Bureau News
A prominent Islamic cleric, Dr. Sharafdeen Gbadebo, has warned Muslim couples against using DNA tests to determine child paternity, declaring the practice forbidden under Islamic law. His comments, delivered in Yoruba during a recent lecture, have reignited the debate on religion, science, and family life in Nigeria.
“Islam Forbids DNA Tests in Marriage”
Dr. Gbadebo said Islam provides clear guidance on paternity and does not permit doubting the legitimacy of a child born within a legal marriage. “Why would you (Muslims) do DNA tests? Islam does not allow us to doubt the paternity of a child conceived by a legally married wife. Anybody who engages in adultery will be entitled to nothing,” he explained.
Lian: Islam’s Alternative to DNA
The cleric explained the Islamic concept of Lian, a procedure for resolving doubts over paternity. Under this process, both husband and wife take solemn oaths before God. If the husband swears four times that the child is not his—invoking divine punishment if he lies—and the wife swears four times that the child belongs to her husband, the marriage may be annulled and the husband permanently loses the right to claim the child.
According to Dr. Gbadebo, DNA testing has no place in Islam, even when adultery or infidelity is suspected: “Two people engage in sex out of wedlock, and the child is born. Is there any DNA test in Islam that would grant the man paternity? None. It is forbidden. That child is always seen as a product of Zina.”
Science Counters With Accuracy Claims
In contrast, Miss Aisha Ahmad, a medical scientist at the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, said DNA testing remains the most reliable method of establishing biological parentage. “DNA tests are 99% accurate if conducted correctly. They remain the best way to determine paternity when there is doubt,” she noted.
She added that while religious beliefs should be respected, the accuracy of DNA testing is scientifically proven and widely accepted in courts, hospitals, and international law.
Faith and Science in Conflict
The comments have stirred a wider conversation on the tension between religious doctrines and modern science. While clerics urge Muslims to follow Islamic guidance, medical experts emphasize the role of DNA testing in resolving paternity disputes, criminal investigations, and inheritance conflicts.
Observers say the issue reflects a broader challenge in Nigeria, where faith, law, and science often intersect, shaping family life, justice, and social norms. The debate over DNA testing is likely to remain a touchpoint in discussions about morality, technology, and religious authority.
Stay with The Bureau News for balanced coverage of Nigeria News Today, where faith meets science in the nation’s unfolding debates.
