FatwaFederal TerritoriesMarriage & Family
IRSYAD HUKUM SIRI KE-890: ISU PEMILIHAN NAMA PENDAFTARAN BAGI BAYI YANG TIDAK DAPAT DITENTUKAN JANTINA
What name should be chosen when registering a baby whose sex cannot yet be determined (khunsa musykil)?
Short answer
The ruling notes that classical jurists said little about naming a baby of undetermined sex.
A reference, not a fatwa. First sentence of the summary below — read the original fatwa and consult your state authority before acting.
- Authority
- Federal Territories Mufti Office
- Date
- Status
- Opinion (irsyad)
- Series
- Irsyad al-Hukum (Umum)
- Topic
- Marriage & Family
No evidence of gazettement in the source — this is not a gazetted fatwa.
Summary
The ruling notes that classical jurists said little about naming a baby of undetermined sex. It suggests a neutral or unisex name, so that if the child's inclination is later established, the name causes neither embarrassment nor confusion. The name should also carry a good meaning. Choosing a name leaning towards one sex, based on observed signs, is permissible.
Written in our own words from the original fatwa — check the source before acting on it.
Apa yang boleh dicadangkan di sini ialah pemilihan nama yang neutral atau uniseks seperti Iman, Ilham, Hanis, Raihan dan sebagainya.
Read the full fatwa on the Federal Territories website (new tab)
How to cite
Cite the original fatwa and its authority. Rujuk Fatwa is only where you found it.
Federal Territories Mufti Office. “IRSYAD HUKUM SIRI KE-890: ISU PEMILIHAN NAMA PENDAFTARAN BAGI BAYI YANG TIDAK DAPAT DITENTUKAN JANTINA”, 15 March 2025. https://muftiwp.gov.my/ms/artikel/irsyad-hukum/umum/6171-irsyad-hukum-siri-ke-890-isu-pemilihan-nama-pendaftaran-bagi-bayi-yang-tidak-dapat-ditentukan-jantina. Found via Rujuk Fatwa: https://rujukfatwa.com/en/fatwa/naming-baby-undetermined-sex-khunsa-musykil/