Fatwa's Insights - Muamalah

THE 54TH MEETING OF THE PERLIS STATE FATWA COMMITTEE / 2021

8 - 9 SEPTEMBER 2021 / 1 - 2 SAFAR 1443H

GUIDELINES ON THE CHANGE OF NAME OF MUSLIMS IN THE STATE OF PERLIS

Purpose

These guidelines serve as a reference for Muslims in the state of Perlis for matters related to issues concerning the change of one's own name or that of one's dependents, such as children, which require support from the Religious Authority of the State of Perlis.

Guidelines

The name change to be made involves factors and rulings as follows:

1. Names used that carry meanings prohibited in Islam must be changed, namely: 

a) Names that indicate worship of other than Allah SWT, such as Abdul Hajar (servant of stone),

b) Names exclusive to Allah SWT, such as Allah and al-Rahman. (Application will be supported)

2. Names that carry meanings contrary to religion, but customary practice ('urf) of the community does not intend that incorrect meaning, then it is permissible to use them, such as the name Abdul Muttalib (servant of Muttalib): (Application will be supported)

3. Names that are not incorrect in meaning but are considered reprehensible from the religious perspective because they have been used for those who rebelled against Allah SWT, such as Firaun, Qarun, Haman, Namrud, Azazil, Abu Lahab, and the like. This must be changed. (Application will be supported)

4. Names that can be understood with less favorable meanings but not to the level of prohibition, then the ruling on changing them is recommended, namely one receives reward if changed, such as the name Qaswah (hard-hearted) or the like. (Application will be supported)

5. Good names but which may cause confusion due to differences in time and place, such as names in certain languages that cause the community in that place to regard the person as non-Muslim. The ruling on changing them is recommended, namely one receives reward if changed. (Application will be supported)

6. A new name is equally good as the original name, such as changing the name Ahmad to Muhammad; the ruling is permissible (harus). However, if there is benefit, then the ruling becomes recommended (sunat). This is like a good name but not suitable for the person named. (Application will be considered)

7. Names registered with incomplete spelling, such as Ya (Yahya), Pa (Mustapha), Som (Kalsom) and the like. The ruling on changing them is permissible. (Application will be considered)

8. An original name with good meaning but changed to a less favorable name, such as changing the name Sulaim to Ḥarb (war); the ruling is reprehensible. (Application will not be supported)

9. An original name not in the category of incorrect but changed to an incorrect one, such as changing the name Rais to Abdul Syams (servant of the sun). The ruling is prohibited. (Application will not be supported)

10. If the name change is for the purpose of deception or criminal conduct that violates the law, then the ruling is prohibited (haram). (Application will not be supported)

11. Changing names to conceal personal flaws is permissible. (Application will be supported)

12. Although there exists evidence showing that in the time of the Prophet SAW, attribution of children to the mother rather than the father occurred, this matter is limited to titles only, not to identity documents that serve as the basis for reference regarding rulings related to lineage in the present day.

Approval of Members of the Perlis State Fatwa Committee:

1. YBhg. S.S Associate Professor Dato' Arif Perkasa Dr Mohd Asri Bin Zainul Abidin – Mufti 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 Professor Dr. Basri bin Ibrahim

5. Sahibul Fadhilah Associate Professor Dr. Muhamad Rozaimi bin Ramle

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

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

8. Sahibul Fadhilah Dr Ahmad Sufian Bin Che Abdullah

9. Sahibul Fadhilah Associate Professor Dr Ahmad Wifaq Bin Mokhtar

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

11. Ustaz Muhammad Khidhir Bin Abdul Ghani – Secretary

Resolved/Approved at the Meeting of the Majlis Agama Islam dan Adat Istiadat Melayu Perlis Bil. 4/2021 on 14 September 2021.