What is the ruling on changing the name "Muhammad" to another name that does not indicate the Islamic religion, for fear of assaults and injustices in European countries, knowing that the new name will not contradict the Islamic creed?
Source: FtawySummary from Ftawy's records · added here Sep 2, 2026
It is not permissible to travel to non-Muslim countries unless one is secure from temptation (fitna) and able to openly practice the rituals of their religion. If the questioner fears that his name indicates his religion and that it might be changed, then travel is not permissible, even if the name remains. However, if a Muslim in these countries is secure from temptation and can openly practice the rituals of his religion, there is no need to change the 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/178607
Where this answer came from
- Source platform
- Ftawy
- Original fatwa ID
- 178607
- 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