posted by Moosa Richardson on salafitalk dated 10th Oct. 2003...
Shaykh Rabee' was asked about the Western custom of naming, using:
first name
middle name (a second name, not the name of the father)
last (family) name
like: Joe David Smith (while his father's name is Frank)
and that some of the Muslims when they accept Islaam, they change their names and include a middle name, like:
Ahmad Abdur-Ra'oof Smith
The person believes that both are his name: one is his first name and the other is his "middle" name.
The shaykh replied that, with this name, it is understood that Abdur-Ra'oof is his father's name, which it is not. He said that Muslims must oppose the customs of the kuffaar and name themselves after their fathers.
This was about two weeks ago that he said this.
So the above person would be called: Ahmad (ibn) Frank Smith
Generally, the Muslim has one name. He is 'Abdullaah or Ahmad, or whatever his name is. People who want to be known as Jibreel Abdur-Rahmaan for example, they may try to use the proof that the Messenger (sallallaahu 'alayhe wa sallam) had more than one name, for example, like Ahmad and Muhammad.
The reply is, na'm, he had more than one name, but was he ever referred to as Ahmad Muhammad, or Muhammad Ahmad (both names combined)? Rather he was referred to as Muhammad ibn 'Abdillaah.
And if someone wants to be referred to by more than just their name, as Americans seem to love, a Muslim may be referred to by his kunyah, laqab, and/or intisaab.
Like: Al-Ustaath Aboo 'Abdillaah Muhammad ibn Joe Smith Al-Amreekee
Al-Ustaath being a laqab
Aboo Abdillaah being a kunyah
Al-Amreekee being itisaab
So there are enough options available in Islaam to keep one from changing his father's name, for those who need to be referred to with a whole lot of words, and Allaah knows best.
Moosaa Richardson
via west london dawah archive#625
