Mu' meneen Brothers and Sisters,

As Salaam Aleikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh.  (May Allah's Peace, Mercy and Blessings be upon all of you)

One of our brothers/sisters has asked this question:

Asalaamu alaikum

I am a convert/revert to Islam and I`m, also, Latina-American (hispanic). I am wanting to change my given name to be recognized by my Muslim name. Is this prohibited or sinful in Islam to do so?

Thank you.

Allah hafiz

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Answer:

Revert to change name

In the name of Allah, We praise Him, seek His help and ask for His forgiveness. Whoever Allah guides none can misguide, and whoever He allows to fall astray, none can guide them aright. We bear witness that there is none worthy of worship but Allah Alone, and we bear witness that Muhammad (saws) is His slave-servant and the seal of His Messengers.

If the original name of one who reverts to the Truth of Al-Islam does not have any implication or connotation of ‘shirk’ or disbelief, or the name does not have an inherent evil meaning; there is absolutely no need or obligation on one to change their original name if they do not wish to do so. The majority of the noble companions of the Messenger of Allah (saws) who converted from their pagan religions to Islam kept and were recognized by their original names. Only some of the companions whose names implied the abomination of ‘shirk’ or disbelief, or had evil meanings were changed by the Messenger of Allah (saws).

If one reverts to the Truth of Al-Islam and wishes, of their own free will and desire to change their name so that they would be recognized by their names as a muslim….there is absolutely no harm. But if one’s original name does not connote or imply shirk, disbelief, etc., or the name itself does not have an evil meaning, one is neither required nor obliged to change their name, if they do not wish to do so.

Dear and Beloved Sister in Islam, if truth be told, it is not one’s name which distinguishes a believer from a disbeliever, but it is their belief in the Supreme Oneness of their Lord Creator, their belief in the appointment of Prophet Mohamed (saws) as Allah’s Last and Final Messenger, and their righteous good deeds which differentiate them from the disbelievers.

Whatever written of Truth and benefit is only due to Allah’s Assistance and Guidance, and whatever of error is of me alone. Allah Alone Knows Best and He is the Only Source of Strength.

Your brother and well wisher in Islam,

Burhan