(367) Chapter: Prohibition of attributing wrong Fatherhood

Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) said: The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "Do not turn away from your fathers, for he who turns away from his father, will be guilty of committing an act of disbelief." [Al-Bukhari and Muslim] Commentary: To attribute one's fatherhood to someone other than one's real father due to the latter's poverty or in order to live a life of ease and comfort under the care of the person to whom one wishes to attribute his fatherhood, knowing that it is not lawful, is an act of Kufr (disbelief). If someone, however, does so without considering this unlawful act to be lawful, will in fact, be committing a major sin for which he will be punished in Hell-fire. This Hadith stresses the importance of safeguarding one's lineage and that of fulfilling the fathers' rights over their children.