I hope you can help me dear Muslim brothers, I am in a dilemma. When I was 2 years old my mum and dad got divorced, since then I haven't seen my dad, he always knew where I was but never came to see me. When I was 3 years old my mum got re-married to my step dad, from an early age I started calling him dad and still do till this day. But I have just been reading some Hadiths by Bukhari, Muslim which say the following: - "If someone claims a person as his father with the knowledge that he is not his father the garden will be forbidden for him". Could you please help me, I am so confused. I reverted to Islam 2 years ago. I let people know he is my step-dad, but I call him dad; does this help?

All perfect praise be to Allah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allah, and that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger.

Addressing a person by saying 'my dad' or 'my father' is permitted provided it is only for honoring him, showing affection to him, or respecting him. But if one uses this expression to deny his original lineage, then it becomes forbidden.

Ibn Abbas narrated: “The Prophet sent ahead some boys from Banu Abdul Muttalib on donkeys on the night of al-Muzdalifah. He began to pat our thighs (out of love) and said: “O my sons! Do not throw pebbles at the Jamarah till the sun rises.” [Ahmad, Abu Daawood, and An-Nasaa-I]

Shaykh Al-Albaani graded this Hadeeth as Saheeh (authentic).

It is also narrated in Saheeh Muslim from Anas that the Prophet called him by saying; “O my son.”

Therefore, the threat in the Hadeeth mentioned in your question applies to the one who denies his original lineage.

As for your last question you may inform the people that this man is your stepfather. You should even bring to the knowledge of people that he is not your original father.

Allah knows best.