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The question

Is it permissible for a Muslim to retain their non-Islamic name, acquired through adoption and citizenship, if there is a temporary benefit for work, provided that this name is not used among their Muslim acquaintances?

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Source: FtawySummarized from the full answer at Ftawy · imported Sep 2, 20261 min readAlso available in العربية
The answer

The individual's action of allowing himself to be adopted by a family and changing his name to that of an unbeliever is a grave error, due to the corrupting effects of adoption, such as the mixing of lineages and the forfeiture of rights. Islam has invalidated adoption, as Allah Almighty says: ﴿Call them by [the names of] their fathers; it is more just in the sight of Allah.﴾ (Quran 33:5). Furthermore, changing an Islamic name involves imitating non-Muslims, and the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said: "Whoever imitates a people is one of them." The individual must undo the manifestations of this adoption and rectify the name. If this is not possible in official documents, there is no harm in changing it in personal dealings.

Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · imported

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Where this answer came from
Source platform
Ftawy
Original fatwa ID
85234
Imported
Translation status
Source text, unreviewed
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