Questions about name changes after marriage and conversion
What should the name be?
Aslamalaikum,
I am planning to get married to my best friend. He is a Hindu but is planning to convert to Islam Insha'Allah. I have two questions in regards to this process. His name is Siddharth. The meaning of his name is Achiever. Is it required for him to change his name? And secondly, while I plan on keeping my surname post marriage, what is the Islamic ruling for the surname of the children? His surname is Joshi. I would really appreciate an Islamic Scholar to shed some light on this matter as it would help me greatly. Jazaak'Allah Khair.
-sik
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ASSALAMALAIKUM...
Yes he has to change the name - to a muslim name ....
It is reported in a Hadith that the Prophet -peace be upon him- said, "You will be called on the Day of Resurrection by your names and the names of your fathers, so have good names." (Sunan Abu Da'ud, Hadith 4297)
Regarding the girl name who marries arevert......
The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Allaah has cursed the one who claims to belong to someone other than his/her father.” (Reported by Imaam Ahmad and others).
And Allah says in the Qur'an, "Proclaim their real parentage. That will be more equitable in the sight of Allah.
Reg children.....
You should always keep the family name, examples Yusuf Chambers, Abdul rahim Green etc... This is the Sunnah...
The people during the Prophet's (saw) time didn't keep any 'family names'. It was usually ____ bin ____ or ____ bint ______.
So (the name of the child) bin/bint (the first name of the father). Isn't that how it was?
And the society must be able to clearly make out whether someone is a muslim by just hearing their name? i also thought a child will get more blessings from Allah if they have islamic name (when i say name i mean full name - forename - middle name if present - surname).
There is no such thing as "muslim name" - every name that isn't haram in its' meaning and context is a halal name to be called, islamically.
You are absolutely correct on this. There is no compulsion in Islam to change ones name unless the meaning and context is haram.
Salam
Assalamualaikum,
Sister, have you confirmed that this man is sincere in his Islam? If he reverts just to get married to you, it may not be good. He may turn away anytime, thus leaving you in distress.
Concerning the name, he may have to change his name, as Sidhhart is an idol worshipped beside Allah (There is none worthy of worship but Him). Joshi, I head that it comes from shiva and also means astrologer. So I do not know. But considering this Aayah, he may have to retain his surname. But the children will share his new name. If he is called Ibrahim and the child is called Muhammad, then the child will be called Muhammad Ibrahim or Muammad bin Ibrahim.
33:5
ادْعُوهُمْ لِآبَائِهِمْ هُوَ أَقْسَطُ عِنْدَ اللَّهِ ۚ فَإِنْ لَمْ تَعْلَمُوا آبَاءَهُمْ فَإِخْوَانُكُمْ فِي الدِّينِ وَمَوَالِيكُمْ ۚ وَلَيْسَ عَلَيْكُمْ جُنَاحٌ فِيمَا أَخْطَأْتُمْ بِهِ وَلَٰكِنْ مَا تَعَمَّدَتْ قُلُوبُكُمْ ۚ وَكَانَ اللَّهُ غَفُورًا رَحِيمًا
Call them by [the names of] their fathers; it is more just in the sight of Allah . But if you do not know their fathers - then they are [still] your brothers in religion and those entrusted to you. And there is no blame upon you for that in which you have erred but [only for] what your hearts intended. And ever is Allah Forgiving and Merciful.
You will need to retain your present surname and you can not change it to your husband's.
This is something I suppose, and Allah Knows Best.
Abu Abdul Bari
IslamicAnswers.com Editor
Salam,
Here is a great article by brother Wael that I found in regards to changing ones name upon conversion. I hope this helps answer some of your questions.
http://www.zawaj.com/askbilqis/should-i-change-my-name/
Salam
Dear sister,
Please dont trust him blindly. I want to inform you that there are so many cases in which muslim girls have been trapped by guys, specially hindus on the name of converting to islam. Then they raise their children as a hindu and revert back to hinduism. So many divorce has been observed and girls like you are suffering. So please dont put your life at RISK. Be careful and be smart.
KHUDA HAFIZ
assalamu alaykum..
dear brothers and sisters,
My name is Hershey,after converting into muslim last year,my adopted muslim name is aisha muhammad..since then,my family here in philippines,relatives and friends keep on calling me as aisha.i changed my name in all of my accounts in social media even my emails..Early this year,i got married to my husband who is a muslim also.And my husband decided to take me with him in Saudi where hes currently working.In order to send me a husband visa,my husband and I decided to change my name permanently.We want that my adopted name in muslim will be put in our marriage contract so that he will send me a husband visa through that name..including with that is to be able to get new passport using my adopted name.We are not asking for all my past documents that my name will be change,only in marriage certificate,visa and passport is our concerned.
Now our concern is this,how can i use my adopted name as a muslim in our marriage certificate,visa and to my new passport without any petition in the court?What are the things we need to do so that sharia court will allow me to use my adopted name in muslim as my name in our marriage certificate?How much time it will take and how much money we need to spend?
anyone who knows about my concerns,please..your valid answers will be a big help..
These are legal matters and we are not versed in these subjects. You need to consult an attorney (lawyer, solicitor, etc) who works in this field.
Wael
IslamicAnswers.com Editor
i just want to know about changing the name after convert to the islam basically i m from India and i am a Maharashtrian guy i want to marry a Muslim girl who is my college friend from last 12 years we know each other. she got married 4 year ago to the Muslim guy but within a two month she got divorce that is her arrange marriage. from last 3 years we talk and met with each other. after that her feeling had been change and we fall in love with each other.
then she told me her mother looking for a guy for her marriage she told her mother about me but her mother want Muslim guy. after that i met her mother and asked about our marriage her mother told me the rules and regulation . circumcision and changing the name. i told her mother that i can t change the name rest of the thing as it is i accept Islam but i don't want to change my name .
her mother told me there is no compulsory to change name . then she told her husband ( father) father also agreed then they told their son (younger brother) to meet me i met him but he told me the i would have to change my name compulsory for a life time i told him i am the only one son my parent and my father passed away in so i have responsibility my mother.
then i spoke with mother each and every thing she accept the girl without changing her religion the my mother had met her mother and told her we don't want to convert her to Hindu she will keep her religion as it is after the marriage also but don't ask to change name . my mother told her to change name in nikkah only according to your religion and give him a name for your family and relative but her brother won't agree and just we are hoping ..... i told her about rule and regulation for changing the name in Islam
monty0077, the name change is not the most important thing. It's recommended to change the name if it has an un-Islamic meaning, but the more important question is, do you sincerely believe in the teachings of Islam? Do you believe in the Oneness of Allah? Are you willing to accept the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) as the final Messenger to humankind? And to follow the Quran?
If the answer is yes, then convert to Islam and marry the women. If the answer is no, then stop your relationship with her.
Wael
IslamicAnswers.com Editor
Thanx Wael
But how would i show them my belief. i agreed what the messenger says. i believe Only One creator who create sky, sun, moon, earth, water, air ........ and many more even we can't calculate.. i know the 5 Piller of Islam
But how would i show them.....
monty, are you saying you already converted to Islam? And you have declared the shahadah? Then let them know, that's all. If you have not learned how to pray the salat yet, then begin learning. May Allah light your way and grant you success.
Wael
IslamicAnswers.com Editor