Quora Answer: Is It Obligatory for Converts to Change Their Name?

بِسۡمِ ٱللهِ ٱلرَّحۡمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ 

The following is my answer to a Quora question: “Is it obligatory for a person to change name after converting to Islam?” 

No, it is not.  Any name that has a good meaning is a “Muslim” name.  There is no reason to have an Arab, or Pakistani or the name of a supposedly Muslim ethnicity.  However, for various reasons, it may be encouraged to have definitive, identifiable Muslim name.  It is preferable for the convert to not replace his name but to add an alias.  For legal reasons, having an entirely new name might necessitate the changing of a lot of documents which is expensive and a hassle.  Also, becoming a Muslim does not mean abandoning our heritage.  We are changing our faith, not our culture or our ethnicity.  It is highly encouraged to keep the family name for genealogical reasons. 

Having a recognisable Muslim name helps in instances such as the claiming of a body for a Muslim burial for Muslims who are without Muslim family or spouse.  It may also facilitate entry to Makkah for the haj.  A good Muslim name is also a supplication for the person.  Therefore choosing a good name is important.  It should not be something that is rushed.  Instances where name must be changed would be any name that is disparaging or insulting.  Even an Arabic name that denotes negative attributes or misfortune should be changed.  Any names that are from the Times of Ignorance, that denote divinity or servanthood to anything other than God, such as “‘Abd al-Ka’bah”, “Male Slave of the Ka’bah”; or “Hubal”, ancient Arab deity;” Ganesh”, Hindu deity; or names that might cause confusion such as “Christian” are inappropriate for a Muslim. 

There was a habit in Southeast Asia and other parts of the world for converts to have the “bin ‘Abdullah” which means “the son of the Slave of Allah”, as part of the name or “binte ‘Abdullah” for the women which means “the daughter of the Slave of Allah”.  This is not preferable.  In Islam, we are not allowed to throw our heritage aside, and that includes family names without good reason.  In the same vein that in the Qur’an, the Prophet (s.a.w.) was not allowed to rename his adopted son Sayyidina Zayd ibn Harits (r.a.) as “ibn Muhammad”.  Whilst it is commendable to have the name, “‘Abdullah”, the “bin” or “binte”, means that the father is named “‘Abdullah” and that is not true.  Also, this is very hurtful to the families of those who convert.