Will People Be Called by Their Mothers' Names on the Day of Judgment?

Author: Hafiz Muhammad Anwar Zahid (حفظه الله)

Summary of the Question​

It is popularly believed among people that on the Day of Judgment, individuals will be called by their mothers’ names to conceal their faults. This belief is often narrated as a hadith of the Prophet (ﷺ). Is this claim authentic?

Analysis of the Hadith​

The narration states:
"People will be called on the Day of Judgment by their mothers’ names to shield them from disgrace."

Authenticity:​

The chain of narration (isnad) for this hadith is fabricated (mawdu).

Source References:

• Silsilah Ahadith Dha'ifah wal Mawdu'ah by Shaykh Albani, Hadith No. 433.

Shaykh Albani (رحمه الله) notes:

• Ibn Adi included this hadith in Al-Kamil (2/17), reporting it from Ishaq ibn Ibrahim al-Tabari, who narrated it through unreliable sources.
• Ishaq ibn Ibrahim is classified as munkar al-hadith (a narrator of objectionable reports) by Ibn Hibban. He fabricated ahadith and mixed falsehood with the statements of reliable narrators.

Imam Al-Bukhari recorded in his Sahih:
"People will be called on the Day of Judgment by their fathers’ names."
This contradicts the fabricated narration and aligns with the Quran and sound hadith.

Evidence from the Quran and Authentic Hadith​

1. Quranic Evidence:
   • “Call them by their fathers’ names; that is more just in the sight of Allah.”
     [Surah Al-Ahzab: 5]
     This verse establishes that individuals should be called by their fathers’ names, as it is a fair and just practice in Islam.
2. Authentic Hadith:
   • The Prophet (ﷺ) said:
     "On the Day of Judgment, every betrayer will have a flag raised according to their betrayal, and it will be announced, 'This is the betrayal of so-and-so, son of so-and-so.'"
     [Sahih Bukhari, Sahih Muslim]
     This indicates that people will be identified by their fathers' names.

Refutation of the Popular Belief​

1. Claims About Concealing Faults:​

The argument that calling people by their mothers' names will shield illegitimate children from disgrace is unfounded in the Quran and Sunnah. In Islam, children born out of wedlock are not held responsible for the sins of their parents.

2. The Case of Prophet Isa (عليه السلام):​

Some argue that because Prophet Isa (عليه السلام) had no father, all people will be called by their mothers’ names. However, this reasoning is flawed as exceptional cases (like Adam and Isa, peace be upon them) do not establish a general principle.

3. Influence of Sectarian Bias:​

The idea of calling people by their mothers’ names has been linked to sectarian narratives that seek to emphasize maternal lineage, especially in the case of Hasan and Husayn (رضي الله عنهما). Such claims lack basis in authentic Islamic teachings.

Scholarly Opinions​

1. Ibn Al-Qayyim (رحمه الله):
   • Ibn Al-Qayyim categorizes this narration as baseless and contrary to authentic reports.
2. Imam Al-Bukhari (رحمه الله):
   • He included a chapter in Sahih Bukhari affirming that people will be called by their fathers’ names on the Day of Judgment.
3. Imam As-Suyuti (رحمه الله):
   • He dismisses the narration about being called by mothers’ names as fabricated.

Conclusion​

Based on evidence from the Quran, authentic hadith, and scholarly consensus:

1. People will be called by their fathers’ names on the Day of Judgment.
2. The claim about being called by mothers’ names is fabricated and lacks any valid basis in Islam.
3. The Quran explicitly directs that children are to be attributed to their fathers, and Allah considers this practice more just.

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Allah knows best.