Adopter
المتبنّي (al-mutabannī) refers to an adopted person, specifically someone who has been legally or socially adopted into a family. This noun describes the individual who receives adoption rather than the adopter, and it carries both legal and emotional implications in Islamic and Arab cultural contexts. The word derives from the verb تبنّى (tabannā), meaning 'to adopt.'
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الطفل المتبنّي أصبح عضواً كاملاً في الأسرة.
Al-tifl al-mutabannī aṣbaḥa ʿuḍwan kāmilan fī al-ʾusra.
The adopted child became a full member of the family.
يعامل الوالدان المتبنّي بنفس الحب والعناية التي يعطيانها لأطفالهما البيولوجيين.
Yuʿāmil al-wālidān al-mutabannī bi-nafs al-ḥubb wa-al-ʿināya allatī yuʿṭiyānihā li-aṭfālihimā al-bīūlūjīyyīn.
The parents treat the adopted child with the same love and care they give to their biological children.
في الإسلام، المتبنّي له حقوق خاصة في الميراث والنسب.
Fī al-ʾislām, al-mutabannī lahu ḥuqūq khāṣṣa fī al-mīrāth wa-al-nasab.
In Islam, an adopted person has special rights regarding inheritance and lineage.
الحكومة توفر دعماً مادياً للعائلات التي لديها أطفال متبنين.
Al-ḥukūma tawaffir duʿman māddīyan li-al-ʿāʾilāt allatī ladayhā aṭfāl mutabannīn.
The government provides financial support to families that have adopted children.
المتبنّي يحتفل بعيد ميلاده الجديد مع عائلته الحاضنة.
Al-mutabannī yaḥtafil bi-ʿīd mīlādihi al-jadīd maʿa ʿāʾilatihi al-ḥāḍina.
The adopted person celebrates his new birthday with his adoptive family.
In Islamic jurisprudence, adoption (التبني) is treated differently than in Western contexts. While caring for orphans and vulnerable children is highly encouraged and rewarded, the legal and religious framework maintains distinctions regarding lineage and inheritance rights. The term المتبنّي reflects this nuance—while an adopted person is loved and cared for within the family, Islamic law preserves the biological lineage for specific purposes like inheritance distribution and mahram relationships. Arab societies have traditionally valued both biological and adoptive family bonds, with the concept of كفالة (kafāla/guardianship) also being widely practiced as an alternative or complementary arrangement.
When using المتبنّي, remember that it specifically refers to the adopted person, not the adopter (who would be المتبني without the feminine ending). In formal legal or social contexts, you might also encounter the phrase 'الطفل المتبنّى' (the adopted child) for clarity. Be aware that discussions of adoption in Arab contexts may involve religious and legal considerations, so context matters greatly. If discussing a female, the form would be المتبنّية (al-mutabannīya).
The Arabic word المتبنّي (al-mutabannī) literally translates to "the adopted one" or "adopted person." It is a noun that specifically refers to an individual who has been adopted into a family, whether through legal means, social customs, or religious frameworks. This word is derived from the verb تبنّى (tabannā), which means "to adopt."
المتبنّي is a passive participle noun in Arabic. When referring to a female adopted person, the form becomes المتبنّية (al-mutabannīya). The plural form for males would be المتبنّون (al-mutabannūn) and for females المتبنّيات (al-mutabannīyāt). Understanding these grammatical variations is essential for proper usage in different contexts, whether discussing individual cases or broader social policies.
Adoption in Arab and Islamic contexts operates within specific religious and legal frameworks that differ from Western adoption systems. In Islam, while the care and support of orphans and vulnerable children is extremely encouraged and considered a virtuous act, the legal framework of adoption maintains certain distinctions regarding lineage, inheritance, and familial relationships.
The Quran emphasizes the importance of caring for orphans, and this is deeply ingrained in Arab culture. However, Islamic jurisprudence distinguishes between التبني (al-tabannī, adoption) and الكفالة (al-kafāla, guardianship or sponsorship). Many Arab families practice kafāla, which provides legal and social protection to children without completely altering legal lineage ties.
When a child becomes متبنّي, they are legally and socially integrated into the family and receive the same love, care, and material support as biological children. However, in terms of religious law, they maintain their original lineage for purposes of inheritance distribution, mahram relationships (unmarriageable relatives), and certain other religious obligations.
In modern Arab societies, the status of المتبنّي is protected by various national laws and social policies. Most Arab countries have implemented legal frameworks that ensure adopted persons receive protection, education, healthcare, and social security benefits comparable to biological children. Many governments provide financial support to families who adopt children, recognizing the societal importance of this practice.
The rights of المتبنّي typically include:
In contemporary usage, المتبنّي is employed in legal documents, social services, educational contexts, and everyday conversation. You might encounter this term in discussions about family law, child welfare, government policies, or social issues. For example, government institutions might refer to 'أطفال متبنين' (children who are adopted) when discussing social programs.
The term is also used in media discussions about child welfare, orphan care, and family policies. When discussing adoption stories or case studies, one might use the phrase 'طفل متبنّي' (an adopted child) to refer to the individual involved.
Understanding المتبنّي requires familiarity with related terms:
When discussing adoption in Arabic, it's important to be sensitive to cultural and religious contexts. The term المتبنّي is the most direct and commonly used word, but context matters. In formal or legal settings, you might specify 'الطفل المتبنّى' for clarity. In social or emotional discussions, the focus is often on the belonging and love within the family rather than the technical status of adoption.
For English speakers learning Arabic, understanding المتبنّي provides insight into how Arab societies conceptualize family, kinship, and social responsibility. It reflects the values placed on caring for vulnerable populations while maintaining cultural and religious traditions.