Question
Can you please clarify that, if we can change our
islamic birth name after the 7 day period.
Answer
Muhtaram / Muhtaramah
In the Name of Allāh, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
As-salāmu ‘alaykum wa-rahmatullāh wa-barakātuh.
It is permissible for one to change his name, especially if the name is un-Islamic or has a negative meaning. Rasulullah (Sallalahu Alaihi Wasallam) had changed the name of many Sahaba due to them having an inappropriate meaning. Consider the following Ahadith:
عن ابن عمر أن ابنة لعمر كانت يقال لها عاصية فسماها رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم جميلة (رواه مسلم)
Ibn ‘Umar reported that ‘Umar had a daughter who was called ‘Asiya. Rasulullah (Sallalahu Alaihi Wasallam)
gave her the name of Jamila. (Sahih Muslim)
ابن عباس قال كانت جويرية اسمها برة فحول رسول الله -صلى الله عليه وسلم- اسمها جويرية وكان يكره أن يقال خرج من عند برة (رواه مسلم)
Ibn Abbas reported that the name of Juwairlya (the wife of the Rasulullah Sallalahu Alaihi Wasallam) was
Barra (Pious). Rasulullah (Sallalahu Alaihi Wasallam) changed her name to Juwairiya and said : I did not
like that it should be said: He had come out from Barra (Pious). (Sahih Muslim)
عن عمه أسامة بن أخدرى أن رجلا يقال له أصرم كان فى النفر الذين أتوا رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم فقال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم ما اسمك قال أنا أصرم. قال بل أنت زرعة
A man called Asram was among those who came to the Rasulullah (Sallalahu Alaihi Wasallam).
Rasulullah (Sallalahu Alaihi Wasallam) said: What is your name? He replied: Asram. He said: No, you are Zur’ah.
عن سعيد بن المسيب عن أبيه عن جده أن النبى صلى الله عليه وسلم قال له ما اسمك قال حزن قال أنت سهل قال لا السهل يوطأ ويمتهن قال سعيد فظننت أنه سيصيبنا بعده حزونة قال أبو داود وغير النبى صلى الله عليه وسلم اسم العاص وعزيز وعتلة وشيطان والحكم وغراب وحباب وشهاب فسماه هشاما وسمى حربا سلما وسمى المضطجع المنبعث وأرضا تسمى عفرة سماها خضرة وشعب الضلالة سماه شعب الهدى وبنو الزنية سماهم بنى الرشدة وسمى بنى مغوية بنى رشدة. قال أبو داود تركت أسانيدها للاختصار (سنن أبى داود)
Saeed ibn Musaib narrates from his father who narrates from his grandfather that Rasulullah (Sallalahu Alaihi Wasallam) asked him: What is your name? He replied: Hazn (rugged). He said: You are Sahl (smooth). He said: No, smooth is trodden upon and disgraced. Sa’id said: I then thought that ruggedness would remain among us after it. Abu Dawud said: Rasulullah (Sallalahu Alaihi Wasallam) changed the names al-‘As, Aziz, Atalah, Shaytan, al-Hakam, Ghurab, Hubab, and Shihab and called him Hisham. He changed the name Harb (war) and called him Silm (peace). He changed the name al- Mudtaji’ (one who lies) and called him al- Munba’ith (one who stands up). He changed the name of a land Afrah (barren) and called it Khadrah (green). He changed the name Shi’b ad-Dalalah (the mountain path of a stray), the name of a mountain path and called it Shi’b al-Huda (mountain path of guidance). He changed the name Banu az-Zinyah (children of fornication) and called them Banu ar-Rushdah (children of those who are on the right path), and changed the name Banu Mughwiyah (children of a woman who allures and goes astray), and called them Banu Rushdah (children of a woman who is on the right path). Abu Dawud said: I omitted the chains of these for the sake of brevity. (Sunan Abi Dawood).
And Allah knows best
Wassalam
Darul Iftaa, Madrassah In’aamiyyah
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