Is it permissible to change the name of a sick baby girl from "Sham" to "Shifa" with the intention of seeking healing from God, following the example of a shaykh who changed the name of an epileptic patient from "Ayah" to "Shifa"?
Source: FtawySummary from Ftawy's records · added here Sep 2, 2026
Changing the name to "Shifa" (healing) is permissible. However, the healing of a sick person comes through supplicating to Allah and imploring Him, not by changing a name. It is not permissible to believe that changing a name has an effect on healing. Causes are either tangible through experience or prescribed by divine revelation. Optimism through good words is commendable.
Summary from Ftawy's records · added here
Reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
Read the full answer on Ftawyhttps://ftawy.com/en/questions/170393
Where this answer came from
- Source platform
- Ftawy
- Original fatwa ID
- 170393
- 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