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:

ASAk Burhan Bhai. I want to know if a wife calls her husband Abba (father) unintentionally, is it prohibited in islam to do so. Does it affect there husband and wife realtionship, or does it break there nikaah? If so then what is the solution or kuffara for the same mistake? 

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Answer:

Wife calls husband a father

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.

If perchance a husband happens to call or address his wife as his ‘mother’, or a wife happens to call or address her husband as his ‘father’, intentionally or un-intentionally, it is merely a saying of vain speech of their mouths and has absolutely no bearing on their relationship as a husband and wife, nor does it effect the validity of their marriage in the absolute least.

Allah Says in the Holy Quran Chapter 33 Surah Ahzaab Verse 4:

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 vain) speech by your mouths. But Allah tells (you) the Truth and He shows the (right) Way.

Your Question: …..If so then what is the solution or kuffara for the same mistake? 

Respected sister, your father is he alone from whose loins you are born! If you intentionally or unintentionally call someone your father, it would only be a manner of vain speech of your mouth, and would not make that person your real father or alter your relationship with that person in the least.

One should fear Allah Subhanah, and only call or address one’s real and biological fathers as their father. If one unintentionally happens to call their husband, or their brothers, or their uncles, or anyone else except their real father as their father, rest assured it would not alter their relationship with that person in the least; nor is one required to offer a ‘kaffarah’ or atonement for this vain speech of theirs except repentance and to abstain from such vain speech.

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