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Changing name

Answered as per Hanafi Fiqh by DarulIftaBirmingham

Answered by: Molana Eunus Ali

Question:

Can I change my name after aqiqah according to the Islamic sariyat.

Answer

بسم الله الرحمن الرحي

Abu Huraira raḍyAllāhu 'anhu (may Allāh be pleased with him):Zainab’s raḍyAllāhu 'anha (may Allāh be pleased with her) original name was “Barrah,” but it was said’ “By that she is giving herself the prestige of piety.” So the Prophet ṣallallāhu 'alayhi wa sallam (peace and blessings of Allāh be upon him) changed her name to Zainab. (Sahih Bukhari:6192)

Ibn ‘Umar raḍyAllāhu 'anhu (may Allāh be pleased with him) reported that Allah’s Messenger ṣallallāhu 'alayhi wa sallam (peace and blessings of Allāh be upon him) changed the name of ‘Asiya (Disobedient) and said: You are Jamila (i. e. good and handsome). (SahihBukhari: 5332)

It is clear from the above mentioned Ahadith that it is permissible to change ones name to a better name. The practice of the Prophet ṣallallāhu 'alayhi wa sallam (peace and blessings of Allāh be upon him) was to change disliked name to better meaningful names. (UmdatulQari, Volume 12, Page 325, DarulKutubulIlmiyyah)

It is from amongst the Prophetic teachings to keep good names:

AbudDarda’ raḍyAllāhu 'anhu (may Allāh be pleased with him) narrates:The Prophet raḍyAllāhu 'anhu (may Allāh be pleased with him) said: On the Day of Resurrection you will be called by your names and by your father’s names, so give yourselves good names. (SunanAbiDawood: 4948)

AbuWahb al-Jushami raḍyAllāhu 'anhu (may Allāh be pleased with him) narrates:The Prophet ṣallallāhu 'alayhi wa sallam (peace and blessings of Allāh be upon him) said: Call yourselves by the names of the Prophets. The names dearest to Allah are Abdullah and AbdurRahman, the truest are Harith and Hammam, and the worst are Harb and Murrah. (SunanAbiDawood: 4950)

In regards to your question, there is no time limit attached to the changing of one’s name and can be done at any time when changing to a better name. (FatawaMahmoodiyyah, Volume 24, Page 381, DarulIftaaJamiahFarooqiyyah)

Only Allah knows best

Written by Molana Eunus Ali

Checked and approved by Mufti Mohammed Tosir Miah

Darul Ifta Birmingham

This answer was collected from DarulIftaBirmingham.co.uk, which is run under the supervision of Mufti Mohammed Tosir Miah from the United Kingdom.

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