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Muslim converts and namechanges
Several months ago Yusuf Ul Islam aka Cat Stevens (great singer) was on the news for being disembarked from his flight because they thought his name was suspicious. Immigration officers obviously did not know him as a celebrity. Anyways this journal is not about him, rather after seeing him I was prompted to think about whether a person must necessarily change their name if they convert to Islam. I really don't think there is such a thing as a purely Islamic name. We tend to confuse language with religion. Urdu, Arabic, Farsi do not have any special right over the religion of Islam, it just so happens that most people who speak these languages are muslims. I think Cat Stevens could have kept his name had he wanted. I think it will take muslims some time to get around the idea of having other muslims by the name of Tom, Dick, and Harry (sorry for the cliche) but I think as far as Islam is concerned it's probably ok. Any thoughts?
Comments on this journal
anyhow, back to debate (though i was hoping otherwise)..
i said, 'i must say most converts would go ahead and wear a shalwar-kamiz (which isn't just desi) cause it's a modest dressing. and would change their name, so they are recognized as muslims wherever they may go (hence the arabic names of Prophets and companions, etc, also cause the language of Quran is Arabic too). "
keywords/points to note are "most", "recognition at the world level...arabic names of Prophet and companions...language of Quran is Arabic..."
what i'm simply drawing here is that "most" muslim reverts/converts would like to be recognized whereever they go. language of Arabic is worldwide known. and everyone at any part of the muslim world would know who Muhammad was, or who Umer, Usman, Ali, Ayisha were etc.
or even Mosa aka Moses, etc. and may hear these names, and know the other person is a fellow muslim is he doesn't have a sunnah beard, or hijab for women.
i think what you concluded was that since the language of Quran, hence it must be official. however, i had simply been talking in terms of recognition that most people want as muslims. no one should tell them what's right and what's wrong, they should have a right to make their own mind. one key point, it doesn't mean a Tom can't approach muslims and identified himself as a muslim, but won't get the same respect as if a Muhammad was in his place.
also, Muhammad name was given to Rasool Allah swas by Allah, and his birth name was Ahmed. that's the history i've come to know.
no arguments there neither i suggested it in any form or shape.
if you re-read, i said 'Western clothing in most cases can become unislamic'. keywords are "in most cases"
and "CAN".
obviously jeans, shirts, t-shirts, suits or anything that conforms to islamic guidelines of hiding till your knees is islamic for men to say the least...but wearing spandex or other wacky dresses that maybe appropriate for a yankee on a beach won't be appropriate for a muslim. i hope you see the distinction. it doesn't mean though muslims can't wear long shorts and swim...i go to swim too:)
Again...why should someone HAVE to be recognised as a Muslim. Islam is a way of life, as well as a relationship with God. What you are saying is that we have to confine it to an Arab way of life simply bc Arabic is the language of the Quran!
Western clothing in most cases can become unislamic. clear Quranic guidelines suggest both men/women to wear modest dressing, and men to lower their gaze, and women to wear loose dressing that covers most of her. (there are ayats/hadith on this).
anyhow, not to get pulled in a debate, i must say most converts would go ahead and wear a shalwar-kamiz (which isn't just desi) cause it's a modest dressing. and would change their name, so they are recognized as muslims wherever they may go (hence the arabic names of Prophets and companions, etc, also cause the language of Quran is Arabic too).
though I liked Ayooshaa's 3rd point that from PR standpoint, and in the age of globilization, it may perhaps be more effective in some cases if we have a Mary or Tom preaching Islam to other Marys and Toms.
if you come across someone who claims to be Isa, and another who says he is Christopher. and if you have to pick which one is potentially a muslim (both can be muslim or not be), then which one would you pick?
ironically Isa is an Arabic translation of Christ that drives Christopher:)
Hell is not an extreme word, I did not use it in the context of anything extreme, or in anyway other than a form of speech! So, to be frank I find the whole "astaghfirallah" rather patronising and inappropriate! But here we go again, the inability to have a point of view without someone throwing "astaghfirallah" and damnnation your way!
Thank you and Salam.
As-salam Aleikum
2) Muhammed was Muhammed BEFORE he became Muslim. Ayisha was Ayisha BEFORE she became Muslim. These are Arab names and thats pretty much it! I find it shocking when ignorant and arrogant Muslims make converts feel that they have to change their name otherwise they cannot be Muslim. Islam is a way of life, and a religion which transcends all cultural boundaries. We are Muslim before we are Arab, English, Desi, etc. So for one to feel that they have to take on an Arab or Asian name, completely contradicts the fact that Islam is universal - for all people, for all times.
3) In this day and age, with all the political and social B.S thrown at Muslims, it certainly helps from a PR standpoint when converts like Tim or Mike, or Shelly DO keep their names. There is the gross misrepresentation that Muslims are all backward Arabs and Asians that are jealous of the 'Western way of life'. So when these 'Westerners' stand up and affirm their faith in Islam, it does wonders!
In my personal opinion, when you have a Christian name like "Christie" or "Christopher" that's when it's good to change your name because it has Christ in there which many people worship. Also if your name means something bad in your language you should also change it, like if your name was Venus or Nikey? But as for me, I don't think I will legally change my name, one I want all the Americans to know I am American and an ex-Catholic so I use it for Dawah purposes. Otherwise, if I moved over seas and planned on staying there and not coming back, I would then change my name. Again this is personal opinion and I don't know what the ruling is on changing you name.
As-salam Aleikum Wa Rahmatillah Wa Barakatuh
Your name Katherine Mary (though I like the 'Mary' part better) is a good one. what does Katherine mean?
I guess you can be called Mary within your family, perhaps some muslims would prefer to call you Amina:) both are mothers of Prophets though so good names m'A.
i did not change my name. i took "amina" after sahada, but i still go by "katie" and when asked, i say my name is Katherine Mary like it has always been in my birth certificate.
it is interesting because this has been an issue with the Catholic Church. the idea Q raises about a name influencing behavior is one that Catholics would agree with. it used to be believed that any baby born into a Catholic family would have to be named after a Prophet, saint, etc. (I am named after st catherine of sienna and Mary, the mother of Jesus). Then, because of cultural reasons, this practice was not as practiced (people wanted names that were in their language and not so foreign). So... during confirmation, a child (between 15 and 18) will research saints and prophets and choose his/her confirmation name (mine was Christopher). That way you have both and you can choose whose life you want to emulate and then adopt his/her name. i see my muslim name, amina like that. I think motherhood is the greatest gift and responsibility and to be the mother of a Prophet even more so... so i took her name. however, this does not change the fact that my mom and dad faught and debated over my name for a long time and it has a lot of meaning and significance behind it. Amina is a symbolic name just as Christopher was for me. Katherine is my name and Katie is my nickname.