Islamic marriage advice and family advice

My name is Elizabeth, do I have to change it?

Islamic names

salaams,

I was wondering whether i would have to change my name if I converted to Islam? My name is Elizabeth which is Hebrew meaning; "Consecrated To God."

Any advice, guidance would be great.

asalamalykum.

- Elizabeth


Tagged as: , , ,

12 Responses »

  1. Peace Elizabeth,

    Normally it is not absolutely necessary to change your name when converting to Islam provided the name does not have a meaning which is contradictory to Islam or goes against the 'Oneness of God.'
    This is a difficult one mainly because there are numerous meanings that I have found:
    The main one is consecrated to God.
    To "consecrate" is to dedicate religiously or spiritually, or "to make holy". However one meaning is also 'daughter of God.'

    Because of this discrepancy in meaning and the meaning possibly being Shirk (associating partners with Allah). I would advise you to change your name as the name goes against one of Allah's attributes. Changing the name is generally recommended anyway as it marks a new stage of your life.
    May Allah swt help you on your journey.
    Ameen

    Sara
    IslamicAnswers.com Editor

  2. Salamu'alaikum,

    Sister, changing a name is required after one accepts Islam, only if the name involves an element of Shirk or Kufr. If your name means 'daughter of God' then that is a statement of Kufr, and you need to get rid of this name as soon as possible. Allah is far from such claims. I'd recommend names of the wives of the Prophet Sallallahu 'Alaihi wasallam such as 'Aaishah, Zaynab, Khadeejah, Hafsah or even a daughter of the Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi wasallam Fatimah.

    -Muhammad Waseem

  3. Elizabeth, it's only required to change your name when it has an un-Islamic meaning. I think your name is fine and does not have to be changed, and here's why:

    According to Wikipedia,

    Elizabeth is a feminine given name derived from the Greek Elisávet, which is a form of the Hebrew name Elisheva, meaning "My God is an oath" or "My God is abundance." "Elizabeth" appears in the Old Testament as the name of Aaron's wife ("Elisheva"), and in the New Testament as the name of the wife of the priest Zechariah and mother of John the Baptist.

    Let's assume that's all true, since we have no reason to think otherwise. We Muslims also believe that Aaron (Harun in Arabic), Zechariah (Zakariyya in Arabic) and John the Baptist (Yahya in Arabic) were Prophets of God. They are all mentioned in the Quran. Their wives and mothers would not have had a name with any improper or sacrilegious meaning.

    So you do not have to change your name. With that said, let me add two points:

    1. I recommend changing your name anyway and choosing a name from the Quran, or one of the great Muslim women of history, as a way of indicating a break with the past and the beginning of a new life.

    2. Ultimately the name change is hardly an important issue and not something to get hung up on. The important thing is to acknowledge the truth of Islam, and to testify that Allah is One, and that Muhammad is His Messenger, and to believe in the principles of Islam and try to live your life by its teachings.

    Wael
    IslamicAnswers.com Editor

  4. Wasn't Elizabeth a cousin of Mary?

  5. Yes, Elizabeth, mother of John the Baptist, is considered to be a cousin of Mary. The exact degree of relation isn't known as early texts refer to her only as "kinswoman" to Mary. When Mary learned that she was pregnant, Elizabeth offered her protection to Mary as Mary was unmarried. So Mary lived with Elizabeth for a time while she was pregnant. It was during this time together that Elizabeth was also pregnant with her son John.

  6. So here is my response, Everything in islam falls under one thing "every deed is by the intention"

    Your name also means "Oath of God" and I think its a beautiful name, we all stood in front of Allah and made an Oath. you are just fulfilling your name.

    What is your intention behind your name?

    that was a hadith which i quoted by the prophet peace be upon him. Everything has good and bad, so its your intention that really counts. FB can be used for good and for bad as to everything in life even your ability to judge! its a blessing because we judge ourselves but we use it wrong.

    thats just my 2 cents on it 🙂

    Gluck sister and welcome to the family. and remember "every deed is by the intention"

  7. Elizabeth, I hope you did not listen to anyone and changed your name. Elizabeth is also a Muslim name. In Arabic it is pronounced Elysabat. She is referenced in the Koran more than she is in the bible and is one of the great women of Islam as far as the Koran is concerned. Elizabeth lived in a town in Palestine called Ain Karem. Thus, you find some Palestinian Muslims named Elizabeth. She was the wife and mother of prophets. In Arabic we refer to her as Sitna Elysabat. "Sitna" means "Our Madam" and it is the same title we give prophets. In Arabic we refer to prophet Mohammad as "Sayedna" which means our Sir. In other words Elizabeth is revered in Islam and you have a great name. Do not change it or even think about it.

    • Kamal, I'm not saying I disagree with you, but where is Elysabat referenced in the Quran?

      Wael
      IslamicAnswers.com Editor

      • Assalamu Alaikum

        Quran never refer the name strightaway but it refer her as "wife of imran" it means means mother of Maryam...

        "Behold! a wife of Imran said: "O my Lord! I do dedicate into Thee what is in my womb for Thy special service: So accept this of me: For Thou hearest and knowest all things." "When she was delivered, she said: "O my Lord! Behold! I am delivered of a female child!"- and God knew best what she brought forth- "And whatever no wise is the male like the female. I have named her Mary, and I commend her and her offspring to Thy protection from Satan, the Rejected."

        — Qur'an, Sura 3 (Ali Imran), ayat 35-36

        Mary (Maryam - مريم) is the only woman mentioned in the Qur'an by name. The others' names come from other traditions. Most of the women in the Quran are represented as either the mothers or wives of certain leaders and prophets. like Wives of Noah and Lot, Daughters of Lot, (Sarah), Wife of Abraham, Aziz's Wife (Zulaykha) and the Ladies, Mother and sister of Moses, Wife of Moses, (Asiyah) Wife of the Pharaoh, The Queen of Sheba (Bilqis), Wife of Imran, Mary (Maryam), Wives of Muhammad, Daughters of Muhammad, The woman who complained to Muhammad, Wife of Abu Lahab...

  8. Alyassabat aka Elizabeth in Quran

  9. Wa-alaykum Salaam there is no need to change your name as it’s meaning is good and does not contradict Islamic belief

Leave a Response