I’m Hindu and I want to convert but not change my name
Muslim by name?
I am a Hindu girl and I want to marry a Muslim boy.
I also want to convert to Islam with my full faith. But I love my name so much because my late father gives me this and I really don't want to change my name.
Is it possible to convert to Islam without changing my name? My name is not a religious name its Shikha. It means top as well it is not against Islam. please help me.
- Shikha
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AsSalaamu Alaikum Sister Shikha,
We are very glad to know about your good intention to convert to Islam. May Allah help you.
As for your name “Shikha”, if it is not a religious name and does not go against Islamic believes, then you are free to keep it. As it is not required in Islam to change a name except when it goes against the Islamic believes.
Hope this helps, InshaAllah.
ALAIKUM-
ITS GOOD TOHEAR YR DECISION-
ITS GOOD YR INTENTION IS TRUTHFUL-
YOU CAN USE YR NAME SHIKHA FATIMA OR SOME NAME WITH YR NAME
AND YR BIOLOGICAL FATHER NAME ALSO MUST CONTINUED
ASSALAMALAIKUM-
SUBJECT WE WILL BE RAISED-WITH FATHERS NAME.......
The people during the Prophet's (saw) time didn't keep any 'HUSBANDS FAMILY NAME'.
It was usually BIN-OR-BINT-THEN COMES THE NAME OF THE FATHER.
Isn't that how it was?This is not just the prophet (PBUH) time, this is still practiced today also in Islamic countries. And The WESTERN SYSTEM-GIRLS NAME WITH HUSBANDS NAME..THIS CURSED BIDDAH IS ADOPTED BY MUSLIMS OF TODAY-
Imam Al Bukhari has a chapter in his Sahih called"people are called by their father's name (meaning the linage of their fathers) "and he mentioned the Hadith by the Prophet peace be upon Him through Ibn Omar may Allah be pleased with both of them. In the meaning " as sign is put next to each person on the day of judgement, and they say it's the sign of Fulan the son of Fulan "
We are misguided in this matter and its time to take note and rectify the same to save from the CURSE OF ALLAH-
WE JUST GO ON DOING ANYTHING-WE DONT CHECK ITS RIGHT OR WRONG- This is haraam and is not allowed in sharee’ah, because it is not permissible for anyone to claim to belong to anyone other than his or her father.Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning): “Call them (adopted sons) by (the names of) their fathers, that is more just with Allaah...” [al-Ahzaab 33:5].
The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said:“ALLAH HAS CURSED THE ONE WHO CLAIMS TO BELONG TO SOMEONE OTHER THAN HIS/HER FATHER ” (Reported by Imaam Ahmad and others)
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) During the time of the Prophet -peace be upon him- when people used to accept Islam, he would not require all people to change their names. He used to change only those names that carried wrong meanings or un-Islamic ideas and concepts. The Prophet's wife 'A'ishah -may Allah be pleased with her- said about the Prophet, "He used to change bad names." (Sunan al-Tirmidhi, Hadith no. 2765
'Umar had a daughter whose name was 'Asiyah (meaning Tough or Hard)The Prophet changed her name to Jamilah (the Beautiful, see Sunan Abu Da'ud, Hadith no. 4301)
Abu Da'ud has mentioned many names of people and places that the Prophet -peace be upon him- changed because they had bad meanings. (see Hadith no. 4305)
One can only change one's own name. One cannot change the family name or name of one's parents
REGARDING-REVERTS-
So the new Muslims should change their first names, if they contain wrong or bad meanings. As far as their last names are concerned they should not change last names, because it is also forbidden in Islam to take the name of someone other than one's own biological father. Allah says in the Qur'an, "Proclaim their real parentage. That will be more equitable in the sight of Allah. And if you do not know their fathers, then they are your brothers in the faith..." (Al-Ahzab 33:5)
Just wanted to reiterate what issah said. As long as a name is not incompatible with islam there is no need to change it.
Assalaamualaikam
Alhamdulillah, it is always nice to hear of someone accepting Islam - may Allah reward you for your faith and grant you strength and comfort in this life and the next.
There isn't a requirement for you to change your given name, unless it means something that goes against Islamic guidance. Some people choose to change their name, some choose to include a new name into their existing name, and some people choose to keep their name the same - it's up to you, so long as you keep to Islamic principles.
As brother Ali Yousuff has already mentioned, you should keep your father's (family) name, as on the Day of Judgement we will be called by our names and by our father's names. If your father's (family) name means something that goes against Islamic values, then it would be important to discuss this with your local imam, regarding how to resolve this.
Midnightmoon
IslamicAnswers.com editor
Sister Shikha, may Allah help and always provide guidance to you, your family and everyone including us, as well. Welcome back to The Only Highway to reach the final destination.
As regards your name change, "midnightmoon" has explained in a detailed manner. However, i wish to point out that as a Muslim Woman, ultimately you will be required to observe complete "hijab" (ethnically termed burqa) from head to toe, not outward display of your beauty and displaying head / bosom etc. open to be seen by non-mahrams (those not related by blood).
You may begin to learn Islamic teachings step-by-step. "Islam:Beliefs and Teachings" by Ghulam Sarwar is a very good book to begin with. Moreover, you could get assistance from women's wing of Islamic organisations locally like GIO, Ladies wing of Jamaat Islami Hind etc.
Assalam alaikum,
As already mentioned that you don't have to change your name unless it goes against Islam and especially in the case that it supports Shirk (associating others with Allah).
I would suggest that you search "Is it compulsory to change name after becoming Muslim Dr Zakir Naik" as he gives this answer to someone who is Hindu converting to Islam.
Hope that helps, inn shaa Allah.
Assalam alaikum.I changed my religion and practicing islam since three years.My full name is Rekha Datta.Datta is my father Sarname.Its mandatory to use husband Sarname Rahaman after converted to Islam bcz my all documents is in my previous name and its quite difficult to change all.