Mu' meneen Brothers and Sisters,

As Salaam Aleikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh. (May Allah's Peace, Mercy and Blessings be upon all of you)

One of our brothers/sisters has asked this question:

My mother has/had second married after the expired of my Biological father while I was old 4 year only. He has adopted me as son and given his name me as father and since I have been using his name as father instead of name of my Biological father. Now I am 35 year old and married person. I have two kids and they are asking their grand father name. what should I say to them. My biological father and step father both are expired.

Please advice for me and my child. I am confused with the emotional condition.

(There may be some grammatical and spelling errors in the above statement. The forum does not change anything from questions, comments and statements received from our readers for circulation in confidentiality.)

Answer:

Father Name

In the name of Allah, We praise Him, seek His help and ask for His forgiveness. Whoever Allah guides none can misguide, and whoever He allows to fall astray, none can guide them aright. We bear witness that there is none worthy of worship but Allah Alone, and we bear witness that Muhammad (saws) is His slave-servant and the seal of His Messengers.

Allah Says in the Holy Quran Chapter 33 Surah Ahzaab verses 4-5:

4        Allah has not made for any man two hearts in his (one) body: nor has He made your wives whom ye divorce by Zihar your mothers: nor has He made your adopted sons your sons.  Such is (only) your (manner of) speech by your mouths.  But Allah tells (you) the Truth and He shows the (right) Way.

5        Call them (those whom you adopt) by (the names) of their fathers: that is juster in the sight of Allah; but if ye know not their father's (names call them) your Brothers in faith or your Maulas.  But there is no blame on you if ye make a mistake therein: (what counts is) the intention of your hearts: and Allah is Oft-Returning Most Merciful.

It is absolutely and categorically forbidden and prohibited in Islam for one to be called or recognized by a name other than one’s own legal biological father.  Thus as much as your step-father might have been good and kind towards you, you should always be called and recognized by the name of your own biological father. 

Abu Malik alAshari reported that the Prophet (saws) said: "Four practices of the pre-Islamic ‘days of Ignorance’ will continue to be practiced by my Ummah:

1. taking pride in one's parentage,
2. giving a person a father other than his own genealogical father,
3. believing that rain is caused by some stars,
4. and wailing over the dead."

Related by Ahmad and Muslim.

Whatever written of Truth and benefit is only due to Allah’s Assistance and Guidance, and whatever of error is of me alone.  Allah Alone Knows Best and He is the Only Source of Strength.

Your brother and well wisher in Islam,

Burhan