Question:

My best friend is Christian and gave birth to her third son 3 months ago. Alhamdullilah I was able to be there for the birth. She has asked me if I can be the child’s godmother. She had asked with her second and I said no as I was unsure. Am I able to be a godmother for this child?

Answer:

Being a godmother in itself is permissible as long as looking after a baby is concerned. However, you should remember that a godmother does not become Mahram to the child nor any of Islamic laws between a mother and her child applies to them. For example, they don’t inherit each other, her children are not Mahram to the child, etc. Also she will not be a legal guardian of the child. So, even if a mother appoints a lady as a godmother for her child and untimely she dies, the godmother would have no authority over the child without the consent of the father of the child. Even if demise is met by both parents but the paternal grandfather of the child is alive he is the one who has the authority over the child.

Answered by: Sheikh Mansour Leghaei