by marriage and intercourse in ownership. Abu Thawr said: He is not attributed to him, because he is ruled to be a Muslim. As for us, he has acknowledged the lineage of one whose lineage is unknown, and it is possible that he is from him, and there is no harm to anyone else in his acknowledgment, so his acknowledgment is established, like the Muslim. Once this is established, he is attributed to him in lineage, not in religion, and he has no right to his custody (hadanah). Al-Shafi'i said, in one of his two views: He follows him in his religion, because everything that is attached in terms of his lineage is attached to him in terms of his religion, like evidence, except that he is prevented from him. As for us, he has been ruled to be a Muslim, so the word of the dhimmi is not accepted regarding his disbelief, as if his lineage were known. Furthermore, this is a claim that contradicts the apparent state, so it is not accepted by its mere assertion, like the claim of his enslavement. Moreover, if he were to follow him in his religion, his acknowledgment of his lineage would not be accepted, because that would be causing him harm, so it is not accepted, like the claim of enslavement. As for mere lineage without following him in religion, it is an interest free of harm, so his statement regarding it is accepted. It is not permitted to accept it in matters that entail greater harm, disgrace, and shame in this world and the Hereafter. If the claimant is a woman, there is a difference of opinion regarding Ahmad, may Allah have mercy on him. It is narrated that her claim is accepted, and his lineage is attributed to her, because she is one of the two parents, so the lineage is established by her claim, like the father. Also, it is possible for him to be from her, just as it is possible for him to be the son of a man, nay, even more so, because she gives birth to him from a husband, and from intercourse by doubt (wath' bi-shubhah). She is linked to her child from adultery, unlike the man. Additionally, in the story of David and Solomon, peace be upon them, when two women sought judgment from them, they had two sons. A wolf took one of them, and each of them claimed that the remaining one was her son, and that the one the wolf took was the son of the other. David judged him for the older one, and Solomon judged him for the other based on the mere claim of both of them.