Name Changes in Conversion????

[XSãoXLuisX]

So I've noticed a lot of people who convert to Islam change their names.

Is this a mandatory part of conversion??
If so, what does the Quran say about it??
Also, if a name change is mandatory, does it have to be an Arabic name??

 

[Ibn Uthaymin]

If the name of the person has a forbidden meaning, like the name of an idol or one of their deities or a name that means worshipping other than Allah, such as Abdul-Maseeh (worship per of Jesus the messiah) or Abdul-Hussain (worshipper of Hussain) then it is mandatory to change it. However, if its meaning is permissable and not objectionable, e.g. if it means one of the colors such as red or green or a vocation like carpenter or baker, then it is OK and it is not obligatory to change it. However, if changing the name in official documents would cause the person much distress or harm, then it suffices to change it amongst his family and acquaintances.


Shiekh Muhammed Salih Munajjid

 

[canab1973]

Hello my bro, sis. XSaoXLuisX
I apologize my broken English in advance Since I do not have that much of knowledge about Islam and I am learning from our wonderful brothers and sisters that Allah blessed them much knowledge about Islam. So as far as I know, it is not mandatory to change your name when someone becomes a Muslim, unless it’s related to the person's previous religion, e.g. Christina. As it refers to the person’s previous religion, then it is better to change, other wise it is the person’s choice to keep it or call themselves an Islamic name. But there is no where in the Quran that says if you become a Muslim change your name. My other brothers and sister they can correct me if I made a mistake, and they can give you more explanation about your question.

 

[Al-Kashmiri]

Hello,

I don't know of anything concerning naming being mentioned in the Qur'aan. But yes, name changing is obligatory with respect to names of idols and names which indicate servitude to other than Allaah. It is also better to change names which have bad-meanings or constitute self-praise. The Prophet (sall Allaahu `alayhi wasallam) would change the names of his companions for these reasons.

 

[hayat84]

salam 'alik,I read on the Quran that names of new muslim born have to be chosen among the names that belong to Allah,but I can tell you by experience that before reverting to Islam I was officially catholic even I was baptized with a hinduist name.I made a document that demonstrate that I'm muslim and for doing it,it was asked me to chose an Arabic name,I wasn't obliged to chose,but I wished to begin a new life and I chose Hayat.But in the Arabic world there are many people with Arab names but they are not muslims.So by myself you should do what you feel...in each case if I've mistaken please correct me

 

[iloveislam78]

salam

Sister in islam it is not permissible to take any of allahs names as your own, allahs names and attributes belong to him and to him alone, if your name before converting to islam is not an idols name etc it is permissibe to keep it for example if your name is lauren you can still keep your name when you have converted to islam. inshallah

 

[duran]

How important is it for a new Muslim to change his name?

Upon becoming muslim, how important is it to change your name?and what is the differance between an arabic name and a muslim name?.

Praise be to Allaah.

Names carry meanings, and every person will be influenced by (the meaning of) his name, in most cases. Man is required to call himself – or his children – by good names with good meanings, so that they will be influenced positively by their names.

Islam came to the Arabs and the non-Arabs, and it is not essential for a new Muslim to take an Arabic name, rather what is required is that he should not have a name that is ugly or carries a meaning that goes against Islam. Many Persians and Byzantines embraced Islam and kept their names, and did not change them. Indeed many of the Prophets had names that were not Arabic because they were not Arabs.

Shaykh ‘Abd al-‘Azeez ibn Baaz (may Allaah have mercy on him) was asked: Does a person who becomes Muslim have to change his name like George or Joseph etc?

He replied:

He does not have to change his name unless it is a name that reflects servitude to someone or something other than Allaah, but it is good to change his name to something better. So if he changes his name from a foreign name to an Islamic name, that is good, but as to whether it is obligatory, no it is not.

But if his name was ‘Abd al-Maseeh [= “slave of the Messiah”, a name common among Arab Christians; a similar name in English cultures would be “Christopher” -- Translator] or something of that nature, then he should change it, but if the name does not imply servitude to anything or anyone other than Allaah, such as George and Paul, etc., then he does not have to change it, because these names are shared by Christians and others. And Allaah is the Source of strength.

Fataawa Islamiyyah, 4/404.


Islam Q&A

source: islamqa.com

 

[katieanneb]

Hi,
When I reverted to Islam over 26 years ago, I was very keen to change everything in my life to reflect my new beliefs. So I chose the name Aisha, which I was told was the name of the Prophet Mohammed's (peace be upon him) beloved wife. I changed it on all my official documents (passport, NHS etc), but it was only on a "known as" basis. Then I started having problems with identity, as my old name is on my school/university certificates, so I've reverted to using my birth name for official purposes, but friends all call me Aisha. I think it's important though, not to hurt our parents by simply saying from now on I'm called "so and so", which was the mistake I made, and it's not compulsory to change your name, as long as it's not offensive to Islam.
Islam is reflected in the faith and actions of a believer, not in his/her name, although having a Muslim (not necessarily an Arabic) name identifies one as a Muslim in society. Usually, one is proud to be Muslim and would like it to show in every aspect of life, even the name people call us by.
At this stage, I would advise you to think about the fundamentals of Islam, rather than concentrating on details which will come naturally once Islam enters your heart.......I pray that Allah guides us all to His perfect religion and that Muslims all over the world, be they Arabs or not, practice the true teachings of Islam and do not get overwhelmed and divided by issues such as names, nationalities, languages, etc.

Wallahu aalem (and only Allah knows best)
Salem (peace).

 

[muslimaislam]

Salam Alikum

For your information.

The name Adam can be class as a Arabic name but many people don't konw of its true origin.

Salam Alikum

 

[hayat84]

good question!I don't know certainly what is the difference between Arabic name and muslim name,but by myself,each place of the world speaks a different language and by consequence each new born take the name of his origin(it is not so for everyone,it's only supposition),so that if for example I was born in India,I might have and Indian name and to be hinduist.In Italy there are many people with the name of 'isa's mother(a.s)Maryam,but here is used to call her Maria.So the langauge of origin too influences the future religion of the new born,so that if an Hebrew's name could be Ester,a catholic nam could be Stella and a muslim name could be Najma,but each one of these names has the same meaning,but it can be possible that non of them follows his religion.Me,for example,I was baptised in a church with an Indian name,I was both catholic and hindiust,but from the day I chose to become muslima,I was proud to have a true name which characterized my identity.In my documents I have my baptisism name,but I know that my muslim,Arabic name is Hayat and everyone who knows me preferes to call me with my muslim name.how can I explain what I mean?have you understood me?maybe I matched Arabic names to Islam,because this religion was brought to Arabic places at first,so I felt the necessity to join my faith by chosing and changing everything.and in the end,as some of you wrote Adam's name has Arabic origin,the religion of Allah has Arabic roots and in the Day of Judgment everyone's spoken language will be Arabic.