why are all new islam coverts given a new arabic name like Omar, hassan , mohamed etc
can someone convert and keep his former name like james, peter etc and still remain a muslim?
why arabic name?
Thanks in advance.
2006-11-22 21:31:26 · 13 answers · asked by Omar 1 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
I suppose it is a question of identity. You identify Islam with the language in which the Quran is written and spoken by the holy prophet; therefore you identify yourself with beautiful names derived from the language. (Operative word there; beautiful)
Having said that, not all arabic names are necessarily Islamic and not all Islamic names are of arabic origin. Names of prophets such as Ishaq, Yaakub, Yusuf, Yunus, Ayyub, Musa, Harun, Ilyas, Ilyasa', Zakariyya, Yahya, Isa are Hebrew names.
Muslims in China and India use their ethnic surnames together with their given names. There are equally as many Johans, Julias, Julianas and Lindas among Muslims in the Far East as there are in the West.
But as they say, these are names by which you would be called on Judgment Day. So, perhaps, one might want to identify oneself with one's lot. Or otherwise, make it beautiful.
2006-11-22 21:56:50 · answer #1 · answered by tomQ 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I was given a non-arabic name, Azul, which means blue in French. I am so thankful for that as I grew despising people who confuse Islam and Arab. Islam itself is very open for non-Arabs and to assume that Arabic names as being more Islamic than other names in other languages would be presumptuous and un-Islamic. While people may choose to have Arabic names, I would personally not name my future children any Arabic name to clean Islam from the mistaken notion of being a religion for Arabs. My friend has named his child Muhammad Jesus Nur Fahad, which I find beautiful.
2016-05-22 21:38:33 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, they can keep their names as long as they are good names. The Prophet (peace be upon him) used to change the names of new Muslims if their name had a bad meaning. Some people named their children War or Dumb or Harsh... (in Arabic) and he wanted them to have good names, so he would give them a nice name with a good meaning. Now a days, people change their names as a statement for all to know they are Muslims now. But often, they will retain their original name as their legal name... some actually legally change names as well. It's up to the individual.
2006-11-22 21:45:46 · answer #3 · answered by Mustafa 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yea sure you can keep you own name. Even a Muslim can change his/her name to what ever they want (as long as it is acceptable and not offensive or has a bad meaning). A Muslims name hold more than just letters making a words to define a person. A Muslim name is a blessed name. Now every revert to Islam changes their name but it is a good and honourable thing for them if they do, and that’s why many reverts change their names.
2006-11-22 21:47:36 · answer #4 · answered by Farhan 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The Quran is in Arabic. They think it best to choose a Muslims sounding name, which has to be Arabic. You don't have to change it. What matters is what's in your heart and your good deeds, not your name.
2006-11-22 21:58:36 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes you can keep any name you want.
an Arabic name is a sunnah (way ) of the prophet of Islam.
2006-11-22 21:42:44 · answer #6 · answered by blind_chameleon 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
To show their solidarity with their new religion just as Jews are given a Hebrew name
2006-11-22 21:46:05 · answer #7 · answered by devora k 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
ask them i want to know too
when u convert to islam u don't have to change ur name
change it if it is a bad name
2006-11-22 21:35:33 · answer #8 · answered by Nemo 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, you can keep your name - i know many reverts who have kept their names.
2006-11-22 21:34:10 · answer #9 · answered by Regina 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You give a name to your new born baby isn't it?
2006-11-22 21:47:49 · answer #10 · answered by patrick w 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋