ٱلْأَحْزَاب : ٥

  • ٱدۡعُوهُمۡ Call them
  • لِأٓبَآئِهِمۡ by their fathers
  • هُوَ it
  • أَقۡسَطُ (is) more just
  • عِندَ near
  • ٱللَّهِۚ Allah
  • فَإِن But if
  • لَّمۡ not
  • تَعۡلَمُوٓاْ you know
  • ءَابَآءَهُمۡ their fathers
  • فَإِخۡوَٰنُكُمۡ then (they are) your brothers
  • فِي in
  • ٱلدِّينِ [the] religion
  • وَمَوَٰلِيكُمۡۚ and your friends
  • وَلَيۡسَ But not is
  • عَلَيۡكُمۡ upon you
  • جُنَاحٞ any blame
  • فِيمَآ in what
  • أَخۡطَأۡتُم you made a mistake
  • بِهِۦ in it
  • وَلَٰكِن but
  • مَّا what
  • تَعَمَّدَتۡ intended
  • قُلُوبُكُمۡۚ your hearts
  • وَكَانَ And Allah
  • ٱللَّهُ And Allah
  • غَفُورٗا (is) Oft-Forgiving
  • رَّحِيمًا Most Merciful
Call them1 by [the names of] their fathers; it is more just in the sight of Allāh. 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 Allāh Forgiving and Merciful.
Footnotes
1 - Those children under your care.
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.