AssalamuAlaikum, May name is Abdul Majid. When I was making my passport I willingly used Abdul as my last/Family name since I did not have a family name. All my brother's names starts with Abdul. I wanted to carry family name to next generation and therefore I would like to know if I can use Abdul as last/family name for my self and my children? Can I use Abdul as last name for my daughter or is Abdul gender specific? Afia, Aalia, Rida, Maria, Maryam, Rafa, Sarah and Asiya are from list of my chosen name for a newborn girl. Can Abdul be placed at the end of these names as family name? If Abdul cannot be used as Last name then can I use Abdullah as last name for girl? Your immediate reply will be greatly appreciated. Jazakallah Khair

All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, is His slave and Messenger.

It appears – Allaah knows best – that this word, even if it has no meaning, is permissible to use as a family’s surname, however, it is more appropriate to use names that have a good meaning. The males and females are included in the family that has this surname  without any difference between them.

As regards the names which you mentioned in the question, it is permissible to name with them. However, it is better to choose from them a name of a woman who was known for her righteousness, like Saarah (Sara), ‘Aasiyah (Asia) and Maryam (Mary).

For more benefit on the Islamic guidelines for choosing a name, please refer to Fataawa 82724 and 87262.

Allaah Knows best.