Innovation of “Islamic Names”

O people, we created you from the same male and female, and rendered you
distinct peoples and tribes, that you may recognize one another.
The best among you in the sight of God is the most righteous…
(49:13)

Sadly, it has been known to happen that every time a person wishes to convert to Islam, he/she is immediately bombarded by those who claim to be the custodians of the faith, with a barrage of ridiculous requirements that he/she has to go through in order to become a Muslim (Submitter)!

Adopt a New Name?

One of these non-Quranic requirements that they insist on is the need to change one’s name and adopt a new ‘Islamic Name!’ Not only is the concept of an ‘Islamic Name’ a false concept, but it is also an innovation that has no basis in the Quran. With a direct reference to the Quran, it can be demonstrated that there is no such thing as an ‘Islamic Name.’ The Quran

stresses the fact that submission is a state of the body, mind and soul and not a nametag over one’s head!

The requirements set by God for any person to adopt Islam and become a submitter are simply for that person to proclaim submission to God alone, and consequently observe the rituals required for worshipping God alone. There is no mention in the Quran whatsoever of the need to change one’s name so as to have an ‘Islamic Name.’ So where did that innovation come from?

For that it is necessary to look closely at the phrase ‘Islamic Name.’

If you are a man wishing to adopt Islam they will tell you choose a name like Muhammad, Ali, or

Ahmad etc. If you are a woman, they will tell you choose a name like Khadija, Fatma, or Zeinab.

But are these really ‘Islamic Name’’ or are they merely ARABIC NAMES? Moreover, is there such a thing as an ‘Islamic Name?’

Even more important, is there any notion in the Quran about any preferential status for those who have certain names?

The answer to the first question is that these names are in fact ARABIC NAMES. The evidence to this fact lies in the Quran. We are told in the Quran that Abraham and his sons were the first Muslims:

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