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!