What is the ruling on being named "Israel" in this era, on the premise that it is the name of a prophet?
The name "Israel" is the name of the Prophet of Allah, Jacob, peace be upon him, as mentioned in the Holy Quran in two places. Some Muslims in the past were named by it, and there is no harm in this name from its origin.
However, in current times, Muslim newborns should not be named with this name for two reasons: 1. The harm that may befall the child; because this name has become associated with the occupying Zionist entity that is hostile to Muslims, and people no longer associate it with the name of the Prophet of Allah, Jacob, peace be upon him. 2. The diversity of semantic meanings of the name in this era, which obscures its true meaning. The word "Israel" is used to refer to Jews as a people and a holy land, and to the Zionist state and its settlers.
Some scholars have pointed out the error in referring to the Zionist entity today as "Israel."
Summary from Ftawy's records · added here
Reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
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- Ftawy
- Original fatwa ID
- 23064
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- Text
- Summary from Ftawy's records, reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
- Read the full ruling
- Read the full answer on Ftawy