I know that the Quran mentions that Muslim men should not accuse Muslim women of committing adultery, but at the same time should we not avail ourselves of modern scientific breakthroughs? So, my question is the following: Can Muslims engage in paternity tests in order to confirm whether or not a child is theirs? Does the ruling related to this issue change if the marriage is permanent or temporary? With a Muslim women or a woman from the People of the Book?
Islamically, it is not allowed for a husband to deny paternity (i.e. that a child is his) of a child born to his legitimate wife in the bonds of marriage. A legitimate wife is one who has consummated her marriage with her spouse, irrespective of whether it is permanent or temporary, or whether she is from the People of the Book or not. Given these conditions, there is no reason for paternity tests. But, if there is a serious conflicting issue that needs supportive evidence such as a paternity test, his Eminence Sayyid al-Sistani allows it in extreme cases.