Need for a new name...?

Not all converts decide to change their name and this is perhaps due to the confusion surrounding its legal requirement. The majority of websites I accessed agree that a name change isn’t essential unless its meaning suggests worship of someone or something other than Allah. A very useful website I came across supplies:

·         ahadith regarding the Islamic system of naming

·         lists of prohibited, makruh (disliked) and better names

·         Islamic male/female names

·         Advice on how to change your name legally

·         Frequently asked questions and answers

This website pretty much answers most questions converts are likely to ask. It does however fail to recognise the benefits or drawbacks of legally changing the name or using it just amongst Muslims. Another website states choosing a new name and asking others to use it, whilst keeping your official name as it were is perfectly acceptable. Changing your name officially it seems can be a tricky situation and some solicitors also advice against this. Which brings me to my next few points – why do converts generally retain their surnames? Is there a ruling behind this? What is a ‘Muslim name’ or is there even such a thing? I came across a wonderful blog in which a convert argues why he felt it necessary to retain both his Christian names. He believes being a Muslim is defined upon one’s religious precedence rather than donning a foreign identity. Also the debate of having an Arabized name leads to the false assumption of Arab culture as the only valid Muslim culture. My research proved retaining the surname is in fact necessary due to the necessity of attributing the linage to the biological father as Allah says in surah Ahzaab (33:5) and there are many ahadith in regards to this. Furthermore the Prophet did not always change converted companion's names with some websites suggesting the companions replaced their first names while keeping their tribal names. Converts have sometimes changed their names for reasons other than religious symbolism as listed in this blog. 

  

Convert or Revert? New Muslim perhaps...?

Dr. Zakir Naik

Shaykh Riyadh Ul Haq

Due to the confusion surrounding the correct term in which to use when describing a new member to Islam, I have decided to dedicate an entire post. Having searched forums, websites and watched online videos I am still struggling to conclude what the correct term is.  A Sunni forum represents voices of both opinions with people justifying why they believe either convert or revert is the correct term to use. One person also provided a link to a video in which contemporary Shaykh Riyadh Ul Haq refutes Dr Zakir Naik’s claim the term used is revert. He claims the hadith (tradition) used is commonly misinterpreted and suggests the belief that children have become apostates in such a young stage. For him this is absurd and to be honest it is a valid point. However ‘convert’ actually means to change the nature, purpose or function of something and in this case a person who has been converted to another religious or political belief. Notice the use of the word convert in the definition too? Of course there are many definitions of this word but my point being that convert can be used across all religions whereas revert is exclusive to Muslims who believe that every child is born in the state of fitra (one of nature or purity). Therefore in this regard revert seems appropriate. Some born Muslims who have previously neglected their faith in practise also refer to themselves as reverts. However terms such as ‘New Muslim’ have also been used  online and are similar in meaning to revert. There is no definitive answer to this as how long can a Muslim be called ‘new’? what does the state of fitrah actually mean? And where does religious tolerance come into this? For arguments sake I will use the term convert throughout this blog. My next point is names.. Is it important to change your name when converting to Islam? And to what extent..formally perhaps? It seems the internet doesn't really clarify this one - but it generally never does!

New Beginnings

What’s the first thing that springs to mind when you hear of a convert to Islam? For me personally, ‘Subhanallah!!’ (Glory be to Allah). I have always found it fascinating how someone could discover, or rediscover as many Muslims believe, the faith of Islam as the true and ultimate way of life. Currently where there seems to be such negativity about the faith and its doctrines, created primarily through the media circus, I am inquisitive and wish to learn the role the internet plays in educating us about converts.

Being born into a Muslim household has been a blessing for me for which I am truly grateful.  But I sincerely believe credit lies with those "mujahids" who endeavour  to find the true religion of God, and rise to the challenge of facing various obstacles during the process. Why I say this is because not all families’ of converts find it welcoming to learn their child has a new identity and practice. In fact this has been illustrated through a website which offers solutions regarding various fears ranging from breaking the news to their families to what to do next.

 

During my first ever blog which I am creating for a CyberReligion module I wish to enlighten you and myself with a variety of issues including:

·         Brief History of converts in Britain

·         Some statistics/facts (always good to back up your argument!)

·         Issues faced by converts

And the rest I am currently unsure of! Hopefully my research will open up countless avenues.  My blog is aimed at those looking to convert, those who have, or those who like myself are obsessed with the incredibles that are converts- pending that they are devout to their new religion ofcourse! I will provide video accounts, pictures and hyperlinks to make this as informative and relative as possible. ENJOY!