QUESTION:
What is the Islamic position on women changing their surname to their husbands after marriage, does this have an Islamic basis? Is it permissible? Please explain.
ANSWER:
There is no Islamic basis in this practice. However, in Arab tradition it was a custom to add the fathers name at the end of a child’s name. For example Muhammed bin Abdullah (صلى الله عليه وآله وصحبه وسلم), Aishah bint Abi Bakr, Khadija bint Khuwaylid, Umar ibnul Khattab, Anas ibn Malik etc. (may Allah be pleased with them all)
But, it requires a daleel (proof) for a practice to be deemed prohibited and we don’t find any daleel on this practice to be prohibited hence it is allowed for a woman to change her surname to her husbands.
Also see: Is it permissible to add my husbands name to mine?
Allah knows best.
Answered by Mawlana Mohammed Kashif
Also see:
[Q-ID0302] I’ve been divorced and I’m now married to someone else, can I change my child’s surname?
[Q-ID0455] Is it necessary to have our Father’s name as our surname?
