· 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. 
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ReplyDeleteI know of an English revert, she came into Islam about 18 years ago and she had a 9 month old baby at the time. She married a Muslim and had two children from him, what I found really interesting was that her children's legal names were English even though they had regular Muslim names at home. This, she said was to avoid any problems and discrimination that her children would face in their future life. It reminded me of an article I read once that said some Muslims were changing their names to more English sounding names because it helped their professional careers. They felt they had more of a chance to get ahead if their name was something like John Roberts as opposed to Muhammad Ibrahim. Just look at James Caan from Dragon's Den, sad really.
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ReplyDeleteI know of some one who converted to Islam some 15 years ago. She changed her name, her dress code but still found it really difficult to fit in with the local Muslim community. I last met her a couple of years ago, she said she has left Islam, this made me really upset. I asked her why and she said although she changed her name and dress code she couldn't change the colour of her skin. She said from her personal experiance, the 'Islamic community' is more of a cultural community. Muslims of different cultures tend to stick together.
ReplyDeleteHi Farrah. In regards to changing your name to better your chances in terms of employment, it is something I've not come across in Islamic literature. I believe you should change your name if it has negative connotations Islamically. Why someone would disown their real identity purely for career chances is not legitimate by any means. If it is to avoid discrimination what we must first realise is that there is no place for racism or discrimination in Islam. Everyone from whatever race, religion or culture must be respected as is derived from the teachings of the Prophet (PBUH). I realise however this is not always the case in a Muslim and non-Muslim workplace but isn't it just best not to work for such a company then?
ReplyDeleteIn response to the situation you've pointed out Shane, it is worth noting that some of the first converts to Islam were non-Arab sahabas from different ethnicities such as Ethiopian (Bilal, Umm Ayman, Lubaynah), Roman (Suhayb ar Rumi), Pashtun (Qais Abdur Rashid), Persian (Salman al Farsi) amongst many others. These sahabas of very different cultures had no problem in embracing Islam and becoming part of one large family. In most cases they fought against non-Muslims together showing their allegiance to one God and living peacefully together. Your 'friend's' experience is regrettable, however she faced predjudice from Muslims who are ignorant of true Islamic teachings. No-one should be judged on the colour of their skin and Islam should be free of culture. God says in the Qur'an:
Mankind! We created you from a male and female, and made you into peoples and tribes so that you might come to know each other. The noblest among you in God's sight is that one of you who best performs his duty. God is All-Knowing, All-Aware. (49:13)
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ReplyDeleteA list of non-Arab sahabas is provided here:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.themuslimtimes.org/2012/10/religion/islam/list-of-non-arab-sahaba