My name is Xavier, should I change it?
I have recently decided to convert to Islam, after doing a lot of reading I have discovered that there is in fact only one god that is Allah. But my question for you today is I want to change my name. One of my professors who is Arabic told me that Xavier means some type of God or somehting, I'm not sure if there is any truth to that. But I really want to change my last name, I do not know my "father" But I do know he is black and spanish so my last name is spanish, also i know of all the wrong he has done to my mother and family. So my question for you today is, is it okay to change my last name know what he has done to my mother and family and knowing what his name represents? I would greatly appreciate this, thank you.
- Xavier
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Asalaamualaikum Brother,
Congratulations on reverting to Islam...may Allah continue to guide you and keep you on the truth of Islam.
As far as I know, upon reverting to Islam, you don't have to change your first name, but can if you want to.
With regards to the surname, one should maintain his father's first name. However if it has a bad meaning, then it should be changed.
I learnt this info from a talk I heard. If anyone knows anything further or different, please add.
The Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) instructed people to keep the family name (the last name), even if it is un-Islamic, because to change it is to deny your parentage. Islam places great emphasis on family ties, even if the family is not Muslim.
So you can change your first name if you like, but the last name should remain as it is. I published a detailed article about this, with evidences, on Zawaj.com here:
http://zawaj.com/articles/naming.html
In the long term you don't want to keep an un-Islamic name as the family name, but you can change it for your children. As you will see in the article, in Islam the last name can either be the family name or the father's name. So for example if you change your name to Ali, then when you have a son Insha'Allah, if you name him Abdullah then his name could be Abdullah Ali. So Ali would become the new family name for your children and their descendants.
Change it to an islamic name
congratulations my dear brother and welcome to the true faith
if the name doesn't mean anything bad then you should keep it but if it has any elements of shirk in it then you should
wassalam
As salaamu Alaikum
Brother,
Allah Swt. has put you on the right path. us Xavier's our descendants of Islamic Moors that Ruled Spain for 700 years we are from an area in Called Navarre, Xavier the name is of arabic origin see this link
and notice the crescent in the Xavier Coat of arms.
salam
i just cheked out the meaning as well and as far as i know, it has no elements of shirk at all so just keep that name InShaAllah
wassalam
Salaam, my name is Keith V Harris and I am a recent convert to Islam. I have found that my name is of Celtic origin which is pagan and I wish to change it. I was wondering if Yusef Abd al Nur Harris or just Abdul Nur Harris was preferrable. Also my best friend wishes to take Wakil as a first name but some of the brothers are telling him he cannot. I thought it was fine as long as he didn't place Al in front of it. Please help
Wa alaykum as-salam Keith, rather than ask you to submit your question as a separate post and then wait in the queue, I'll direct you to this link to do some research:
http://zawaj.com/articles/naming.html
Regards,
Wael
IslamicAnswers.com Editor
cloudbackbone
think is very good and the true faith.
again good.
Absolutely not. You should never change your last name. Even if your father isn't a Muslim or even if the name means something that's questionable/ not accepted in Islam.
so is "Xavier" a muslim name??
Well, I am an Indian, want to revert to Muslim after reading so many articles related to Islam/Allah & his messenger prophet Muhammed, my name is Mayur Gandhi,Gujarti, Indian,Hindu now do i need to change my name on passport bcoz I was told that if u want to go to Makkah for Hajj time then they want ye name in islamic so I dont want to let anybody that I am muslim to my family members otherwise they will be broken down so what should i do now so i can be in touch with my family & want to follow Islam as well without knowing them & i can go on Hajj in Future...Do i need ant islam proof or certifictae so i can go on Hajj......any suggestion will be appreciated ...plz help me...
Mayur, Asalaamualaykum
May Allah make your journey as a Muslim easy for you, aameen.
If your name does not mean anything bad or contradictory to the message of Islam, then leave it. As far as I know, all you need to show the Hajj ministry as proof of your conversion is a certificate. An Imam can give you this.
The best thing though, would be for you to contact the hajj ministry and ask them this question. You will find their details on the internet. Insha'Allah you will find them helpful.
SisterZ
IslamicAnswers.com Editor
Oh dear thanks a lot...for yr kind response...
Br. Mayur
May Allah bring you to the fold of Islam, inshallah. It would be great if you would share your story of how/what made you revert/what you read and how you interpreted it and what obstacles you faced so we can learn and support you as you go thru the transition. This is the beauty of Islam and its ummah (meaning brotherhood). I understand the need to keep the conversion from loved ones. In time inshAllah, He will give you the strength to share it with them - this happened to all new muslims when Islam was new, and still happens, so don't worry about keeping it a secret as it is between you and Your Creator, Allah, who will make it easy on you.
Here is the info from the Hajj Ministry: "If the applicant has converted to Islam, an Islamic certificate must be presented; this needs to be notarized by an Islamic Center." You can read more at:
http://www.saudiembassy.net/services/hajj_requirements.aspx
Thank you for adding the info from the Hajj Ministry!!
SisterZ
IslamicAnswers.com Editor
Hi there Well,
I am afraid to tell to my parents if i would accept Islam in future & If i apply for Islam notarial certification so can I keep everything secrete lifetime from everybody , I would secretly go to Masjid with my Islam friends so its not a big deal but I dont want my family & relatives know anything about my revert to Islam otherwise they will be in big trouble & they will be heart broken & they wont talk to me forever wholelife...so what should I do now ? I want Islam notory certification bcoz before I die I want to go to Makkah & Madina any how....
Mayur, please log in and write your question as a separate post.
Wael
IslamicAnswers.com Editor
Dear Mayur,
Congratulations to making the first step to accepting Islam. I know that is must be a very difficult time for you because there are so many things you still need and want to learn about Islam in order to feel like you have embraced it fully when, you still have the issue of explaining yourself and your religious conversion to your family. Just keep in mind that Allah will Inshallah make it easier for you. This is the very first test from God as a Muslim. Remember that in the end you will only need to answer to one person and that is Allah. We are taught to give the utmost respect and kindness to our parents and our family and follow their righteous rules, but when it comes to going against becoming a Muslim we are only to listen to Allah and follow the steps of the last prophet, peace and blessings be upon him. It will be hard in the beginning but if you are sincere about becoming a Muslim, Allah will make it easier for you, Inshallah. Be strong and everything will work out. I would suggest to talk to other Muslim converts on their journey to Islam so that you may learn ways to deal with the drama that will occur when you tell your family. Sometimes it makes it easier when you know someone else has gone through what you have. May Allah grant you what you want in this life and in the hereafter Inshallah
Well, If I would have Shahada & if I would apply after 5-7 yeras for Islam notory certification is that allright for me ? can anybody let me know plz?