Is it permissible for a new Muslim to keep their foreign name that means "Allah" or "God" in Arabic, and what is the legal ruling for that if they refuse to change it? And what is the ruling on being named with the names "Al-Ilah" and "Ar-Rabb"?
Source: FtawySummary from Ftawy's records · added here Sep 2, 2026
It is not permissible to be named with the names exclusive to Allah, such as: Allah, Al-ilah (The God), and Ar-Rahman (The Most Merciful). Whoever was named with them must change them. And whoever does not change his name after knowing the prohibition is sinful. There is no blame in informing about him by his forbidden name.
Summary from Ftawy's records · added here
Reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
Read the full answer on Ftawyhttps://ftawy.com/en/questions/167491
Where this answer came from
- Source platform
- Ftawy
- Original fatwa ID
- 167491
- Added here
- . This is when the answer was added to El Fatwa, not the fatwa's date.
- Text
- Summary from Ftawy's records, reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
- Read the full ruling
- Read the full answer on Ftawy