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Fatwa CenterRaised by his step-father, he asks about his rights on his natural father
Question
I am a 30-years-old man; my father and mother were separated and divorced when I was 2 month old. I was raised by my mother and my mother's husband, who raised me as his own son. I recently knew where my father is and he lives in a different country. He never asked or cared about me in the past. My question is, what is my right on him? Is it the same rights as a father, and should I visit him or by telephone is enough. And who has more right on me is it him (biological father), or my mother's husband who is the true father for me.
Answer
All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger. We ask Allaah to exalt his mention as well as that of his family and all his companions.
There is no doubt that your father has to repent to Allaah as he is not fulfilling your rights, is neglecting you and does not ask about you. But this does not mean that you should not fulfil his rights on you. The rights of the parents are one of the greatest obligations on a person. Allaah says (which means): {But if they endeavour to make you associate with Me that of which you have no knowledge, do not obey them but accompany them in [this] world with appropriate kindness.}[31:15]. Indeed the Prophet 
encouraged us to keep the ties of kinship even with a relative who severs his ties with us, as he said: "The person who perfectly maintains the ties of kinship is not the one who treats them equally as good, but rather it he who persists in doing so even though others have severed the ties of kinship with him." [Al-Bukhari]
Therefore, your father deserves that you keep ties with him even if he severs the ties with you. So we advise you to visit him and do not meet a bad deed with another bad deed. The Prophet also said: "A parent is the middle (i.e. the best) gate of paradise, so if you wish you may lose it and if you wish you may preserve it." [Ahmad, At-Tirmithi and Ibn Maajah] So visit him if you can do so because contacting him by telephone is not enough. Be kind to him and fulfil his rights on you. For more details about the rights of parents, you can refer to Fatwa: 87019.
Finally, we draw your attention that the right of your step-father who brought you up is not equal to the right of your father. The right of your father is greater even if he was negligent towards you. However, you have to be kind to your step-father for his kindness towards you. Allaah says (which means): {Is there any other reward for good other than good.}[55:60].
Allaah knows best.
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