ٱدْعُوهُمْ لِءَابَآئِهِمْ هُوَ أَقْسَطُ عِندَ ٱللَّهِ ۚ فَإِن لَّمْ تَعْلَمُوٓا۟ ءَابَآءَهُمْ فَإِخْوَٰنُكُمْ فِى ٱلدِّينِ وَمَوَٰلِيكُمْ ۚ وَلَيْسَ عَلَيْكُمْ جُنَاحٌۭ فِيمَآ أَخْطَأْتُم بِهِۦ وَلَٰكِن مَّا تَعَمَّدَتْ قُلُوبُكُمْ ۚ وَكَانَ ٱللَّهُ غَفُورًۭا رَّحِيمًا
Ud'oohum li aabaaa'ihim huwa aqsatu 'indal laah; fa illam ta'lamooo aabaaa'ahum fa ikhwaanukum fid deeni wa mawaaleekum; wa laisa 'alaikum junaahun feemaaa akhtaatum bihee wa laakim maa ta'ammadat quloobukum; wa kaanal laahu Ghafoorar Raheemaa
Call them by [the names of] their fathers; it is more just in the sight of Allah. But if you do not know their fathers - then they are [still] your brothers in religion and those entrusted to you. And there is no blame upon you for that in which you have erred but [only for] what your hearts intended. And ever is Allah Forgiving and Merciful.
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33:5Ayah 173
6 ayahs in Al-Ahzaab are strongly about justice and honesty. This is one of them.
Tafsir
Scholars largely agree on this ayah
Instead attribute them to their true fathers. That is more equitable that is more just in the sight of God. If you do not know their true fathers then they are your brethren in religion and as your associates. And you would not be at fault for any mistake you make in this respect except in what your hearts may premeditate after the prohibition has been issued. And God is Forgiving of whatever you said before the prohibition was issued Merciful to you in this respect.
Related Hadiths
"We called Zaid bin Harithah nothing but 'Zaid bin Muhammad' until the Qur'an was revealed (ordering): Call them by their fathers, that is more just according to Allah. (33:5)"
We were in the habit of calling Zaid b. Harith as Zaid b. Muhammad until it was revealed in the Qur'an:" Call them by the names of their fathers. This is more equitable with Allah" (This hadith has been transmitted on the authority of Qutaiba b. Sa'd)
We used not to call Zaid bin Haritha the freed slave of Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) except Zaid bin Muhammad till
the Qu'anic Verse was revealed: "Call them (adopted sons) by (the names of) their fathers. That is
more than just in the Sight of Allah." (33.5)
"We called Zaid bin Harithah nothing but 'Zaid bin Muhammad' until the Qur'an was revealed (saying): 'Call them by their fathers, that is more just according to Allah (33:5).'"
BY Allah, both fathers of yours are amongst those who have been men. tioned in this verse:" Those who responded to the call of Allah and the Messenger after the misfortune had fallen upon thein".
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