Changing the Name Given by Parents During Aqiqah
Kabir Hasan via E-mail
Question: ‘During my Aqiqah, I was given the name ‘Md. Kabir Mia’ by my parents; ‘Mia’ is my family name. I would like to change my family name and first name to ‘Miraj Khan’. Is this allowed?’
Answer: ‘No, it is not allowed. Since ‘Khan’ is a family name (a lineage), it cannot be taken up as a personal identity. The Hadith forbids changing one’s paternal identity or familial lineage on purpose because it is seen as a sin. Only names including polytheism (shirk), disbelief (kufr), or having an incorrect meaning are subject to the order to change one’s name. If not, there’s no need to change a respectable name. It is acceptable to change one’s first name, but one should not change one’s ancestry’.
Answered by: Allama Mufti Ubaidur Rahman Khan Nadvi
Source: Jame-ul-Fatawa, Encyclopedia of Islamic Fiqh and Fatawa.
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