Changing the name after embracing Islam
Machine translationRead the Arabic original
Q: From 'Abd al-'Aziz ibn 'Abd Allah ibn Baz to the honorable brother H-M-L, may Allah guide him. Peace be upon you, and Allah's mercy and blessings. And after:
In response to your noble letter dated 13/9/1409 AH, which included your question about the ruling on changing the name of a new convert to Islam from his old name to an Islamic name, and whether this is obligatory or not?
A: I inform you that there is nothing in the scriptural evidence that necessitates the obligation for one whom Allah has guided to Islam to change his name, unless there is something that necessitates it religiously, such as his being a slave to other than Allah, like 'Abd al-Masih (Slave of the Messiah) or the like, or if it is a name that is not good to be named with and another is better than it, like changing 'Huzn' (Sorrow) to 'Sahl' (Easy), and likewise similar names that are not good to be named with. However, changing a name that is a slave to other than Allah is obligatory, while anything else is a matter of preference and what is better. Included in the second category are names that the Christians are known for using, and one who hears them assumes the owner is a Christian, so changing them is very appropriate.
May Allah guide everyone to what He loves and is pleased with, and grant us and you understanding in the religion and steadfastness upon it. And peace be upon you, and Allah's mercy and blessings.
In response to your noble letter dated 13/9/1409 AH, which included your question about the ruling on changing the name of a new convert to Islam from his old name to an Islamic name, and whether this is obligatory or not?
A: I inform you that there is nothing in the scriptural evidence that necessitates the obligation for one whom Allah has guided to Islam to change his name, unless there is something that necessitates it religiously, such as his being a slave to other than Allah, like 'Abd al-Masih (Slave of the Messiah) or the like, or if it is a name that is not good to be named with and another is better than it, like changing 'Huzn' (Sorrow) to 'Sahl' (Easy), and likewise similar names that are not good to be named with. However, changing a name that is a slave to other than Allah is obligatory, while anything else is a matter of preference and what is better. Included in the second category are names that the Christians are known for using, and one who hears them assumes the owner is a Christian, so changing them is very appropriate.
May Allah guide everyone to what He loves and is pleased with, and grant us and you understanding in the religion and steadfastness upon it. And peace be upon you, and Allah's mercy and blessings.
Source
binbaz.org.sa
The Arabic text is copied verbatim from the original source, without any edits.