Can action be taken against a woman who has left Islam when she wishes to change the name on her children's birth certificates?

Short answer

This fatwa considers the woman's act as having taken her out of the religion of Islam.

Penang31 March 1980Fatwa committee decision

A reference, not a fatwa. First sentence of the summary below — read the original fatwa and consult your state authority before acting.

Authority: Penang State Mufti Department
Date: 31 March 1980
Status: Fatwa committee decision
Series: Keputusan Fatwa Negeri Pulau Pinang (e-Fatwa)
Topic: Creed (Aqidah)

No evidence of gazettement in the source — this is not a gazetted fatwa.

Summary

This fatwa considers the woman's act as having taken her out of the religion of Islam. Under the Islamic religious administration law in Penang, no provision allows action to be taken against her. Therefore, her proposal to change the name on her children's birth certificates cannot be prevented.

Written in our own words from the original fatwa — check the source before acting on it.

Perbuatan Zubaidah d/o Abdullah dianggap telah terkeluar dari agama Islam.

Excerpt from the original fatwa · Penang

Read the full fatwa on the Penang website (new tab)

How to cite

Cite the original fatwa and its authority. Rujuk Fatwa is only where you found it.

Penang State Mufti Department. “PERTUKARAN NAMA”, 31 March 1980. http://efatwa.penang.gov.my/fatwa_details.php?fatwaid=1022. Found via Rujuk Fatwa: https://rujukfatwa.com/en/fatwa/name-change-birth-certificates-left-islam-penang/