FatwaNegeri SembilanCreed (Aqidah)
Penukaran Nama Daripada Bukan Islam Kepada Islam
Must a new convert to Islam change their original name?
Short answer
A new convert may keep an original name if its meaning is good, although the fatwa states that adopting an Islamic name is a requirement.
A reference, not a fatwa. First sentence of the summary below — read the original fatwa and consult your state authority before acting.
- Authority
- Negeri Sembilan Mufti Department
- Status
- Fatwa committee decision
- Series
- Fatwa Negeri Sembilan
- Topic
- Creed (Aqidah)
No evidence of gazettement in the source — this is not a gazetted fatwa.
Summary
A new convert may keep an original name if its meaning is good, although the fatwa states that adopting an Islamic name is a requirement. A name must be changed if its meaning is not good. The convert may use the father's name or Abdullah as the patronymic, or use no patronymic at all. The ruling was adopted from the National Fatwa Muzakarah and has not been gazetted.
Written in our own words from the original fatwa — check the source before acting on it.
Dibolehkan untuk mengekalkan nama asal yang mempunyai pengertian yang baik.
Read the full fatwa on the Negeri Sembilan website (new tab)
How to cite
Cite the original fatwa and its authority. Rujuk Fatwa is only where you found it.
Negeri Sembilan Mufti Department. “Penukaran Nama Daripada Bukan Islam Kepada Islam”, date not stated. https://muftins.gov.my/fatwa/penukaran-nama-daripada-bukan-islam-kepada-islam/. Found via Rujuk Fatwa: https://rujukfatwa.com/en/fatwa/name-change-for-new-muslim-converts/