This is an old issue but this post is meant to enlighten those who doesn’t know about changing of names when one becomes a Muslim. Many friends have asked similar questions.

Frankly, I still have no idea why officials of Malaysia’s Islamic authorities like JAKIM (Jabatan Kemajuan Islam) and Jabatan Agama Islam of most states require a person who embraces Islam to change his or her name to a so call Arabic/Muslim/Malay sounding names.

I am not against changing of names especially to names of a better meaning. Who wouldn’t want a nice name anyway?

What I disagree is these clueless officials keep teaching Malaysians that it is COMPULSORY to adopt a “bin Abdullah” or “binti Abdullah” behind their names when they embrace Islam. I think we are the only country in the world who has this rule. Malaysia Boleh! *laughs*

I would like to make a few points in this post.

1. A Muslim name is a name with good meaning. It can be in ANY language be it Spanish, Tamil, Hindi, Japanese, English, Arabic, Gaelic, Thai, Chinese, French, German, Sanskrit, etc. You name the language!
In the Malaysian context the following examples of names are Islamic:
a) Wong Ching Kuang (the Chinese characters for Ching Kuang means the Emperor’s General)
b) Kenneth Teska anak Philip (My Iban friend from Sarawak)
c) Irene binti Muhammad (I met a Malay lady by the name of Irene a few months ago.)
d) Shah Kirit Kakulal Govindji (A regular speaker at MMU Melaka’s Interfaith Talks.)

2. Islam places high importance on lineage.

When Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) changed the name of his adopted son Zaid bin Harithah to Zaid bin Muhammad, Allah revealed to Prophet Muhammad in Surah Al-Ahzab verse 5 (33:5) which disallows changing the father’s name of an adopted son or daughter to his own. The Prophet then renamed Zaid to Zaid bin Harithah.

So why tell the people who wants to be Muslims change their father’s name to bin Abdullah when the Quranic verse above forbids it!
Why bother when people have nice names in their own mother tongue?
Why not retain the names like Jason s/o Jegathesan and Wong Ching Kuang instead of some a new name with bin or binti Abdullah.
Although the name “Abdullah” means the “Servant of Allah”, removing the name “Jegathesan” from Jason’s name will most likely anger his father and family!

3. Abu Hurairah was a Jew who became a Muslim during the time of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). Abu Hurairah means “Father of the cats”. Prophet Muhammad never tell him to change his name. After all, he is not literally the father of cats!

4. Salman al-Farisi was the first Persian to embrace Islam. Prophet Muhammad never tell him to change his Persian name to Salman bin Abdullah!

5. Many ignorant Muslim parents out there give names which sounds good. However, many have failed to checked the meaning in Arabic. One of my former Arabic teacher mentioned the name “Zana” which means a person who commits adultery (zina). I have heard of names with Zana. Nor Zana? No offense but that is the meaning. By the way, I don not have a friend by that name. *grins*

6. When one changes his or her name, many documents are affected. Among them are the Malaysian Identity Card, passport, certifications, awards, degrees, driving license, bank accounts and issues relating to inheritance. Do you know that most of my certificates before Form 5 bears my Chinese name? Fortunately my first degree, SPM certificate, driving license and other documents produced after my change of name are not affected.

For more information on changing of names, the following website may help:

Islam Online

Recommended reading:
Bin Gregory

The good news:
If I am not mistaken, the Selangor Islamic Department (Jabatan Agama Islam Selangor) allows Muslims to keep their original names (of good meanings). A few months after I changed my name some years ago, I was told that the Perak Islamic Department (JAIP) allows new reverts to retain their original name while registering as a Muslim. How unlucky!

Last but not least, if you are a Muslim and someone is forcing you to change your name, we have brothers and sisters who can help. A few Muslims have successfully retain their original name. Organizations such as IIS (Islamic Information & Services) and MACMA (Malaysia Chinese Muslims Associations) are there to help the best they can. You may also contact the Muslims in the Interfaith Talk committee via email: interfaithtalk_03[at]yahoo[dot]com
(Note: We do not check our email everyday. We apologize for the inconvenience.)

Wallahualam. God knows Best.
-Malcolm-