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Angela View Drop Down
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    Posted: 24 January 2006 at 8:27am

Okay, it was explained to me that to adopt a child islamically, you cannot change the name of the child because it takes the child's father's name from them.

Okay, then, isn't it wrong for reverts to change their name when they get married, denying their father's name in doing so?

I mean, the name of your father is in the West your surname, there is no Ibn Russell, its simply Daley.  (in the case of my husband)

So why the rush to deny your true name when you revert? 

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote peacemaker Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 24 January 2006 at 9:55am

Angela,

Reverts can keep their name as long as it does not contradict islamic principles. 

Question#:
242
Question Date:
11/25/1996
Topic :
Names
Question:
Asalam Alikum. I am wondering if there are any hadith that support the need to change my name to a muslim (or arabic) name. I notice many people change their name when they convert to islam and I was wondering if this is sunnah or just something people chose to do. Asalam Alikum.
Answer:
We are sorry for the late response but we hope the following information will help. There is no specific Hadith requiring a person to change their name after accepting Islam. The vast majority of the Sahabah (companions of the Prophet) did not change their name after accepting Islam. However it is recommended if a name contradicts Islamic principles or values it should be changed to a better meaning name. For example Prophet Muhammad (saw) advised one of the companions, whose name was ''Harb'' which means war in English, to change his name to a better meaning name. Thank you for the question. May Allah guide all of us on right path.
Reference:
IslamiCity

Then which of the favours of your Lord will ye deny?
Qur'an 55:13
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Alwardah View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Alwardah Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 24 January 2006 at 11:37am

Hi Angela

The above post explains the position of reverts � male or female.

Muslim women (born or reverts) do not take their husband's names after marriage. Because the laws in some countries insist on the wife taking the husband's name, Muslimah in these countries will take their husband's surname, respecting the laws of their country. From an Islamic point of view a women retains her maid name from birth to death. She is always known as �..daughter of �..

�Verily your Lord is quick in punishment; yet He is indeed Oft-Forgiving Most Merciful (Surah Al-An�am 6:165)
"Indeed, we belong to Allah and to Him is our return" (Surah Baqarah 2: 155)
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Angela View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Angela Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 24 January 2006 at 1:39pm

I considered keeping my maiden name when I got married.  In the United States you have a choice not to change your name.  But, I went with tradition and took my husband's name as a symbol of joining his family. 

I was just curious because I've seen so many reverts that started out as John Jacob Jingleheimer Schmidt and ended up Abdullah Kareem Al Nasr or something like that. 

My name is Angela, which means depending on your source, Angelic Messanger, Angel or Heavenly Messanger.  I'm told its not a name I could keep if I were to revert. 

I know my sister wouldn't be able to keep her name which is Cristy (variant of Christy but derived from Christian)

But I couldn't see where names like Matthew, John, Joseph or even ethnic names like Olaf or Bjorn couldn't be kept.  Especially last names which bring with them your ancestry.

Thank you Peacemaker for letting me know they can be kept as long as they are not against Islam.  (I guess Candy wouldn't be allowed )

 



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Alwardah View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Alwardah Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 24 January 2006 at 11:38pm

Hi Angela

I don't know why u feel Angela nor Candy will not be accepted.

In Arabic Malaeekah is the female for angel and this name is used very commonly.

I don't see any problem with candy also, candy means sweets or chocolates right.

Mainly I think reverts just feel that they should change their names-a personal choice to make a complete change from their past life to their present one.



Edited by Alwardah
�Verily your Lord is quick in punishment; yet He is indeed Oft-Forgiving Most Merciful (Surah Al-An�am 6:165)
"Indeed, we belong to Allah and to Him is our return" (Surah Baqarah 2: 155)
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Alwardah View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Alwardah Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 25 January 2006 at 12:49am

Hi Angela

Sori for the incorrect information above.

Malaeekah is used, but not very commonly � I am told that it is a neutral form not masculine or feminine.

Malikah meaning queen is commonly used.

Sori about this mix-up � still struggling with Arabic

 

�Verily your Lord is quick in punishment; yet He is indeed Oft-Forgiving Most Merciful (Surah Al-An�am 6:165)
"Indeed, we belong to Allah and to Him is our return" (Surah Baqarah 2: 155)
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Angela View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Angela Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 25 January 2006 at 7:27am

Actually, the reason I thought Angela would not be accepted was that, certain names aren't allowed.  Such as names of angels and such....hmm, there was a list of baby names I found on another site that I read, with it was this article.

Praise be to Allah,

It is forbidden to use any name that describes or belongs to only Allah, such as al-Khaaliq (the creator) and al-Quddoos (the most holy), or names which do not befit any except Allah.  Such as Malik al-Mulook (king of kings).  This is the consensus of the fuqaha.

Ibn al-Quyyim said that names which belong only to Allah include:  al-Ahad (the one), al-Samad (the eternal), al-Khaaliq (the creator), al-Razzaaq (the provider), al-jabbaar (the compeller), al-Mutakabbir (the majestic), al-Awwal (the first), al-Aakhir (the last), al-Baatin (the hidden), and Allaam al-Ghuyoob (the knower of the unseen).

 

The evidence that it is forbidden to call anyone by a name which belongs to Allah and Allah only, may be seen for example in the hadeeth narrated by al-Bukhaari and Muslim from abu-Harayrah (May Allah be pleased with him); in the version narrated by al-Bukaari, he said "The messanger of Allah (P.B.U.H) said:'The most despised name with Allah on the day of resurection will be a man called Malik al-Mulook,'"  According to Muslim, he said, "The man most deserving of Allah's anger and most evil on the day of resurrection will be a man who was called Malik al-Amlaak.  There is no King but Allah."

As regards using names that may be used of  Allah or of others, it is permissible to use the following names: Ali (high), Rasheed (guide) and Badee' (innovator or originator)

Ibn 'Aabideen said: "It seeds to be the case that they are permitted, even if the definite article 'al' is used."  Al-Hasafi said: "What (These names) mean concerning us (humans) is different from their meanings concerning Allah, may he be exhalted."

It is forbidden to use any name which befit no one except the Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H).  Such as Sayyid Walad Adam ( master of the sons of Adam), Sayyid al-nass (master of mankind), Sayyid al-Kull (master of all).  Only because these names, as the Hanbalis said, befit no one except him.

It is forbidden to use any name which implies enslavement to anything other than Allah (S.W.T).  Such as 'Abd al-'Uzza (slave of al-'uzza-pagan goddess), Abd al-Ka'bah (slave of the Ka'bah), 'Abd al-Daar ( slave of the house), 'Abd 'Ali (slave of Ali), 'Abd al-husayn (slave of husayn) ect.

It is forbidden to use names of Idols instead of Allah.

It is forbidden to use the names of devils (shayaateen), such as Khanzab, al-A'war and al-Ajda'.  It was reported that the sunnah is to change names such as these.

It is MAKROOH (hated or disliked) to use names that have bad or distasteful meanings, or which sound odd, which would cause others to mock the person or would cause him embarrassment, in addition to being contrary to the guidence of the Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H), who taught us to choose good names.

It is makrooh to use names whose meanings are to soft and to provocative or sexy.  This is a wide spread problem when it comes to naming girls.

It is makrooh to deliberately name someone after promiscuous actors and singers who star in worthless entertainment shows.

It is makrooh to use names that convey any sense of sin and disobedience to Allah.

It is makrooh to use foreign names that belong only to the Kuffar.

It is makrooh to use names of Pharaohs or other tyrants.

it is makrooh to use names that have any undesirable meaning.

It is makrooh to use names after animals that are known for their bad qulities.

It is makrooh to use any name which is composed of any word added to such words as al-Deen or Islam.  only because it gives an incorrect impression which should not be given.

     Names of this sort may be forbidden for 2 reasons.  In a name such as Shihaab al-Deen, for example, the word Shihaab means a flame, which as we all know comes from fire.  Then this is added to the word al-Deen (Deen means the religion), which is in appropriate.  This can lead to the use of strange names, as in Indonesia, where people use names such as Dhahab al-Deen (gold of the religion) and Maas al-Deen ( diamond of the religion)!

It is mahkrooh to use names that are composes of 2 parts, and this includes names which include Allah (swt), with the exception of the name Abd-Allah (slave of Allah).  Which is one of the most beloved names to Allah.  Name which include the word Al-rasool (the messanger) are also mahkrooh.

Some scholars regarded using the names of angels (peace be upon them) as mahkrooh.  Giving angels' names to women is clearly haraam, since it implies imitation of the mushrikeen, who thought that the angels were the daughters of Allah (swt).  Exhalted be he above what they say!

Some of the scholars thought that it was mahkrooh to give people the names of Soorahs of the Qur'an such as Ta-ha, Yaa-seen, Ha-Meem.  (The popular notion that Ya-Seen and Ta-ha are names of the Prophet ((P.B.U.H)) is not correct).

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Shams Zaman View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Shams Zaman Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 25 January 2006 at 11:14am

There would be lot of thoughts which you will read. But there is no hadith which I have read specifically to change the name except when it has some bad meaning or in contradiction to Allah or Prophet's instructions.

Prophet did not changed the name of Hazrat Salaman Farsi who came from persia and "Farsi" was name only used by pagans of Persia and not by Arabs, neither he changed the name of Hazrat Bilal e Habshi who came from Ethopeia and Habshi was the name used by Christians of Ethopeia.

However Prophet did clearly forbid to keep names  that describes or belongs to only Allah, such as al-Khaaliq (the creator) and al-Quddoos (the most holy), or names which do not befit any except Allah.  Such as Malik al-Mulook (king of kings). 

This is not the view of Fuqha there are specific Hadiths forbidding to keep such names. However we are permitted to add word "ABD" before the name of Allah meaning servent. Like ABD-UR-REHMAN, ABDU-ALLAH, etc.

Shams Zaman  

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