The Holy Quran 33:5 — Surah Al-Ahzab

Arabic text

ٱدْعُوهُمْ لِـَٔابَآئِهِمْ هُوَ أَقْسَطُ عِندَ ٱللَّهِ ۚ فَإِن لَّمْ تَعْلَمُوٓا۟ ءَابَآءَهُمْ فَإِخْوَٰنُكُمْ فِى ٱلدِّينِ وَمَوَٰلِيكُمْ ۚ وَلَيْسَ عَلَيْكُمْ جُنَاحٌ فِيمَآ أَخْطَأْتُم بِهِۦ وَلَـٰكِن مَّا تَعَمَّدَتْ قُلُوبُكُمْ ۚ وَكَانَ ٱللَّهُ غَفُورًا رَّحِيمًا

Translation

Call them (your adopted children) by (the names of) their fathers. This is more just in the sight of your Rabb. If you do not know (who) their fathers (are), then they are your brothers in religion and your friends (and will still not become your real sons). There shall be no blame (sin) on you with regard to the errors you make (such as unintentionally referring to your adopted children as your own), but (you shall be sinful) only for what your hearts purposely intend (such as purposely violating Allaah's command and referring to them as your own children). Allaah is ever the Most Forgiving, the Most Merciful (and forgives acts done in error or forgetfulness).

Tafsir (excerpt) — Tafsir Usmani

Call the adopted son by the name of his real father: that is, true justice requires that every person be ascribed to his real father. If someone has taken a person as an “adopted son”, he has not truly become his father. If someone, out of affection and love, calls another his son or father figuratively, that is another matter.

Preview. The full text opens with JavaScript enabled.