Please, forgive me if the question has been asked earlier. However, I tried to search for it and failed. My question is: Is it mandatory to change the name of the person who is converting to Islam? Just to breif you, the existing name of the person who will be entering into Islam in a short span of time has a name which is not a part of the other religion or their so called Idols? Please elaborate on it. Jazakallah!
Answer:
(Fatwa: 704/704=J)
It would have been better if you had written his name as well. However, if the name does not contain any meaning contradictory to Islamic beliefs then it is not necessary to change it. But, if the name is not proper or not having good meaning then it is better to change it with any good Islamic name:
قال رسول اللہ صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم: تدعون یوم القیامۃ باسمائکم و اسماء آبائکم فاحسنوا اسماءکم۔ رواہ احمد و ابوداؤد (مشکوۃ: ص 408)
Allah (Subhana Wa Ta’ala) knows Best
Darul Ifta,
Darul Uloom Deoband