Calling someone older than oneself “uncle” and the like

Question

Question: Is it haram or not to call any older man “uncle” (as a paternal uncle), or to call an elderly man who lives in the town or village of one’s maternal relatives, and with whom one has no kinship at all, “grandfather” (as a maternal grandfather) or “uncle” (as a maternal uncle) out of affection or respect?

Answer

It is permissible: what is intended here is respect; it is not a real kinship, nor do others have any doubt about it.

Source: Fatawa Mahmudiyya

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