Chapter on the Inheritance of the Captive

Safwan ibn Yahya narrated from Abdur Rahman ibn Al-Hajjaj, who said: I asked Abu Abdullah عليه السلام about the hamil (the child in the womb). Imam عليه السلام asked: "And what is the hamil?" I said: "A woman is captured from her land along with her young child, and she claims, 'This is my son.' Similarly, a man is captured and meets his brother, claiming, 'This is my brother,' but they have no evidence except their word." Imam عليه السلام then asked: "And what do the people among you say about this?" I replied: "They do not allow inheritance unless they have proof of the child's birth, especially if the birth occurred during the period of disbelief (before Islam)." Imam عليه السلام said: "Glory be to Allah سبحانه وتعالى! If she continuously acknowledges the child as hers, and if he recognizes his brother, and both of them were sound in mind and body when making such claims, they will both remain firm in their acknowledgment, and they will inherit from one another."