Had a different name while living in a non-Muslim country Fatwa No: 98771
- Fatwa Date:4-9-2007
asalaamu calaykum, i have here a question....... and my question is : i dont live in my home country and a live in a country which is not an islamic country so that the name i have here is different my real nam. i made this mistake when i came in this country becouse of afraid to meet problem , and now if i try to change it to my original name i am afraid also to meet problem so that what is the point of view according to our islamic religion although i like to recorrect my mistake the suitable time and what iam what the money which i will receive with this name. so please i hope you will answer to my question inshaa alaah . asalaaamu calaykum....................
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 is His slave and Messenger.
In principle, changing one’s name to a better one is allowed as proven in the practice of the Prophet . The who fears for his life if he keeps his original name may also change his name, provided that changing his name does not harm other people. The money one gets after having a new name is not forbidden as long as he gains it through lawful means.
Allaah Knows best.