Do I Have to Change My Name When I Convert to Islam?
July 2, 2007
This question is answered by Wael Abdelgawad, Editor of AskBilqis.com Islamic Marriage Advice, and Zawaj.com Muslim Matrimonial Service.
QUESTION:
Dear Bilqis,
I am a Hindu girl born and raised in Kuwait. I have been exposed to different cultures growing up and that has instilled in me a lot of religious tolerance. I am also very familiar with Islam and have chosen to marry my best friend - a Muslim.
I have accepted to convert to Islam and my question is - Do I have to change my name if I convert? My name means “moral” and I believe if your name is does not go against Islam you do not need to change it?
- Nita from Kuwait
WAEL ANSWERS:
Dear Nita,
Congratulations on your decision to embrace Islam. Try to keep it in your heart that this is something you are doing for Allah, so that your intentions will be pure and you can enter into Islam with an open heart. Congratulations also on your decision to marry your friend. I assume your families have already approved?
You are correct about the name. Your name, Nita, apparently means, “guided, correct, modest.”
In light of this, it is not required to change it.
See this article on IslamOnline for more information:
New Convert: is Changing Name Necessary?
However, I think there are advantages to changing the name:
- It reminds you that in embracing Islam, you have purified your soul and begun a new way of life, with a new commitment to Allah, leaving behind your Hindu beliefs and practices.|
- You can choose a name that embodies the qualities that you want for yourself, or you can honor a great woman from the Qur’an or one of the Sahabah (companions of the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him).
- You don’t have to deal with questions from people who are confused about the disparity between your name and religious identity. But this last point is the least important by far.
However, the choice is entirely yours. No one should pressure you or make you feel guilty about changing your name.
Do Not Change the Last Name
It’s important to note that you must not change your family name (your last name).
The Qur’an says,
“Call them by (the names of) their father’s, that is more just in the sight of Allah…” (Al-Ahzab 33:5)
And the Messenger of Allah (pbuh) emphasized this by saying,
“He who knowingly attributed his fatherhood to someone other than his real father will be excluded from paradise.” (Bukhari, Muslim, Abu Dawood)
This applies equally to converts and to women who are marrying, since assuming the husband’s name upon marriage is not an Islamic custom.
See this article on Zawaj.com for more information about the Islamic naming system in general:
If any readers have some additional advice for this questioner, feel free to post your comments below.
“(O Allah), Guide us to the straight path; The path of those whom you have favored; Not those with whom you are angry; Nor those who go astray.”
Best regards,
- Wael Hesham Abdelgawad, Administrator
AskBilqis.com Islamic Marriage and Family Advice
ZAWAJ.COM Muslim Matrimonials and More!
Written by wael on July 1st, 2007 with
no comments.
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