Fatwa's Insights - Kinship

THE 52ND MEETING OF THE PERLIS STATE FATWA COMMITTEE / 2021

19 - 20 MAC 2021 / 6 - 7 SYA'BAN 1442H

FATWA ON NAME AND PATRONYMIC CHANGES FOR CONVERTS

1. Islam does not mandate that a person embracing the Islamic faith change their father's name to Abdullah. Indeed, if such a change negates a father's right to justice and causes confusion regarding lineage, it is prohibited. This aligns with the decree of Allah SWT in Surah al-Ahzab (33:5): 

ٱدۡعُوهُمۡ لِأٓبَآئِهِمۡ هُوَ أَقۡسَطُ عِندَ ٱللَّهِۚ

Meaning: Call them (adopted children) by (using) the names of their fathers; that is more just in the sight of Allah.

2. It is permissible to change one's own name to another bearing a good meaning (in any language) after embracing Islam. It is indeed encouraged if the original name is inappropriate in terms of meaning or societal implications.

3. It is obligatory upon a Muslim to change their name if the original carries a meaning contrary to the Shariah.

Approval of the Members of the Perlis State Fatwa Committee:

1. YBhg. S.S Prof Madya Dato' Arif Perkasa Dr Mohd Asri Bin Zainul Abidin – Mufti of the State of Perlis

2. Sahibul Fadhilah Prof Dato' Kaya Bakti Dr. Mohd. Radzi bin Haji Othman

3. Sahibul Fadhilah Dato' Dr. Johari Bin Mat

4. Sahibul Fadhilah Profesor Dr. Basri bin Ibrahim

5. Sahibul Fadhilah Prof Madya Dr. Muhamad Rozaimi bin Ramle

6. Sahibul Fadhilah Dr. Hj Zaharuddin Bin Hj Abdul Rahman

7. Sahibul Fadhilah Prof. Madya Dr. Azman Bin Mohd Noor

8. Sahibul Fadhilah Prof Madya Dr. Mohd Akram Bin Dato' Dahaman @ Dahlan

9. Sahibul Fadhilah Dr. Kamilin Jamilin @ Ahmad Kamil Jamilin

10. Sahibul Fadhilah Dr Ahmad Sufian Bin Che Abdullah

11. Sahibul Fadhilah Prof Madya Dr Ahmad Wifaq Bin Mokhtar

12. Sahibul Fadhilah Ustaz Syed Abu Bakar Bin Syed Kamal Bharin

13. Ustaz Muhammad Khidhir Bin Abdul Ghani – Secretary

Endorsed at the Meeting of the Perlis Islamic Religious Council and Malay Customs (Majlis Agama Islam dan Adat Istiadat Melayu Perlis) Bil. 2/2021 on 22 March 2021.