Changing one's name to obtain state benefits, and losing those benefits if one returns to one's real name
Machine translationRead the Arabic original
Fatwa No. ( 3215 )
Q1: About 30 years ago, my father's cousin came to Kuwait looking for work and a livelihood. After a period of time, he left his job and returned to his homeland, Saudi Arabia , and he is still alive and earning a living, and he is about eighty-five years old. Q2: After that, his nephew came and registered for a job to earn a living, but he registered his name under his uncle's name instead of his father's, and he remained
continuing in his job to this day. Q3: I (S. F. 'A.) came to look for work as well, and I registered for a job to earn a livelihood, and I registered my name under my father's cousin's name instead of my father's name, due to purely living conditions. However, what has become a reality now is: I am married and have sons and daughters, and all of them are in school, and everything concerning me and them, in terms of transactions and documents in government offices, is all under the new name, not the real name. I know that I am still known by my correct name among my family and my tribe; they describe me by it among themselves when something concerning me is mentioned. As for in the other offices and institutions, I am known by the name I recently adopted. In the depths of my heart, I do not accept the new name, but as I said, for living reasons and the future of myself and my family members, and other matters, I was compelled to use this name. What is your opinion, may Allah preserve you? If I tried to return to my real name and display it correctly before the officials in some government offices, the following would happen: 1- I would lose my job, which is the sole source of my livelihood and that of my family members, consisting of ten people. 2- My children would be deprived of continuing their education, as they are studying
in various stages. 3- I would lose the housing I obtained, which is for me and my family, and we have no other property. 4- Some of my relatives would suffer what I would suffer, and perhaps other people would be harmed. What is my position regarding this noble hadith:Sahih al-Bukhari 4326, 4327 ? Is there an expiation or a means by which I can correct this action of mine if I have committed a mistake? I am awaiting your response, may Allah preserve you, to resolve this problem of mine, and my fate and that of my family will be determined, after the will of Allah, based on what you decide in this regard.
A: You are obligated to repent, seek forgiveness, and correct the status of the names according to reality, and nothing is required of you besides this between you and Allah, if your repentance is sincere and you rectify your situation with Allah, who says:[Taha 20:82] As for the matters you fear if you return to the correct name, it is not permissible for them to prevent you from returning to the truth, and Allah will ease your affairs and compensate you with something better than what you lose
due to returning to the correct name, and repenting to Allah the Exalted from the forgery that occurred; because of the saying of Allah the Mighty and Majestic:[At-Talaq 65:2-3] and His saying the Exalted: [At-Talaq 65:4] We ask Allah for guidance and success for us and for you toward sincere repentance. And may Allah send prayers and blessings upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and his Companions.
Q1: About 30 years ago, my father's cousin came to Kuwait looking for work and a livelihood. After a period of time, he left his job and returned to his homeland, Saudi Arabia , and he is still alive and earning a living, and he is about eighty-five years old. Q2: After that, his nephew came and registered for a job to earn a living, but he registered his name under his uncle's name instead of his father's, and he remained
continuing in his job to this day. Q3: I (S. F. 'A.) came to look for work as well, and I registered for a job to earn a livelihood, and I registered my name under my father's cousin's name instead of my father's name, due to purely living conditions. However, what has become a reality now is: I am married and have sons and daughters, and all of them are in school, and everything concerning me and them, in terms of transactions and documents in government offices, is all under the new name, not the real name. I know that I am still known by my correct name among my family and my tribe; they describe me by it among themselves when something concerning me is mentioned. As for in the other offices and institutions, I am known by the name I recently adopted. In the depths of my heart, I do not accept the new name, but as I said, for living reasons and the future of myself and my family members, and other matters, I was compelled to use this name. What is your opinion, may Allah preserve you? If I tried to return to my real name and display it correctly before the officials in some government offices, the following would happen: 1- I would lose my job, which is the sole source of my livelihood and that of my family members, consisting of ten people. 2- My children would be deprived of continuing their education, as they are studying
in various stages. 3- I would lose the housing I obtained, which is for me and my family, and we have no other property. 4- Some of my relatives would suffer what I would suffer, and perhaps other people would be harmed. What is my position regarding this noble hadith:
If somebody claims to be the son of somebody other than his father knowingly, he will be denied Paradise (i.e. he will not enter Paradise).
من ادعى لغير أبيه وهو يعلم فالجنة عليه حرامA: You are obligated to repent, seek forgiveness, and correct the status of the names according to reality, and nothing is required of you besides this between you and Allah, if your repentance is sincere and you rectify your situation with Allah, who says:
But indeed, I am the Perpetual Forgiver of whoever repents and believes and does righteousness and then continues in guidance.
وَإِنِّي لَغَفَّارٌ لِمَنْ تَابَ وَآمَنَ وَعَمِلَ صَالِحًا ثُمَّ اهْتَدَىdue to returning to the correct name, and repenting to Allah the Exalted from the forgery that occurred; because of the saying of Allah the Mighty and Majestic:
And whoever fears Allah - He will make for him a way out (3) And will provide for him from where he does not expect.
وَمَنْ يَتَّقِ اللَّهَ يَجْعَلْ لَهُ مَخْرَجًا (2) وَيَرْزُقْهُ مِنْ حَيْثُ لاَ يَحْتَسِبُAnd whoever fears Allah - He will make for him of his matter ease.
وَمَنْ يَتَّقِ اللَّهَ يَجْعَلْ لَهُ مِنْ أَمْرِهِ يُسْرًا
Source
www.alifta.gov.sa
The Arabic text is copied verbatim from the original source, without any edits.