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.
فَإِخۡوَٰنُكُمۡthen (they are) your brothersfa-ikh'wānukum
فِيinfī
ٱلدِّينِ[the] religionl-dīni
وَمَوَٰلِيكُمۡۚand your friendswamawālīkum
وَلَيۡسَBut not iswalaysa
عَلَيۡكُمۡupon youʿalaykum
جُنَاحٞany blamejunāḥun
فِيمَآin whatfīmā
أَخۡطَأۡتُمyou made a mistakeakhṭatum
بِهِۦin itbihi
وَلَٰكِنbutwalākin
مَّاwhatmā
تَعَمَّدَتۡintendedtaʿammadat
قُلُوبُكُمۡۚyour heartsqulūbukum
وَكَانَAnd Allahwakāna
ٱللَّهُAnd Allahl-lahu
غَفُورٗا(is) Oft-Forgivingghafūran
رَّحِيمًاMost Mercifulraḥīman
Tafsir
Attribute those you claim to be your sons towards their real fathers, because attributing them towards them is justice in the eyes of Allah. But if you do not know their fathers to whom you can attribute them, then they are your brothers in religion and the sons of your uncles, so call them by: “O brother” or “O cousin”. And there is no sin on you if one of you makes a mistake and attributes a claimed son towards his claimant, but you will be sinful if you intentionally say that. And Allah is Forgiving to those of His servants who repent, Merciful to them as He did not punish them due to mistakes.