What is the ruling on calling a person by a shortened nickname derived from their original name, such as "Sateef" for "Mustafa" or "Razzooq" for "Abdul Razzaq"?
Source: FtawySummary from Ftawy's records · added here Sep 2, 2026
There is no harm in changing a name or adding letters to it, as long as it does not involve diminishment or mockery. Imam Al-Bukhari titled a chapter "Whoever called his companion by shortening his name by a letter." Shortening or adding is not forbidden unless it becomes a matter of calling by offensive nicknames or disparaging, as Allah Almighty says: "And do not call each other by [offensive] nicknames. Wretched is the name of disobedience after [one's] faith." An exception is made if the change involves an assault on the name of Allah or the Prophet.
Summary from Ftawy's records · added here
Reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
Read the full answer on Ftawyhttps://ftawy.com/en/questions/76873
Where this answer came from
- Source platform
- Ftawy
- Original fatwa ID
- 76873
- 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