Welcome Back To Islam One never converts to Islam, but only returns to his or her original nature Letters/Q&A

Arabic or Latinized Names? Sr. Carrie: Answers to your questions are given below: >> So if a name obviously is a Muslim/Islamic name he/she can enter, meaning non muslims may have entered Mecca and Medina, based on the name on their ID's? Yes, that is possible. I know of at least one: 19th century British historian Sir Richard Burton, who spoke fluent Arabic, made Hajj under the disguise of an Arab Muslim. He left behind his classic narration of Hajj. >> And by looks can someone be an obvious Muslim? People’s ethnic look and build up can significantly vary. What I meant to say is that due to one’s ethnic looks, one can easily pass as a Muslim or a non-Muslim. For example, one from Pakistan will almost always be a Muslim while one with an European build and complexion will usually be a non-Muslim. Prohibition of non-Muslims from entering the city of Makka and Madina is a religion one, and not something invented by the Saudis. The Saudi authority is only trying to abide by that requirement. If one wants to jump to conclusion and criticize them, he may. My opinion is that what the Saudi authorities are doing as far as this is concerned is minimal inconvenience indeed. If they have to check every single individual and confirm with clear evidence whether he/she is a Muslim or not, that would create a huge bottleneck and make life miserable for millions of pilgrims. It is probably not even feasible, anyway. >> And when giving names to our children does it have to be given in Arabic or can it be given in their native language? Like can Joseph be given instead of Yusuf? Hesus (sp) (spanish) be given instead of Essa? Etc. My personal opinion is that Latinized versions of Arabic names are also acceptable – like Mary for Maryam or Joseph for Yusuf – when one has already been given such a name prior to conversion to Islam. However, if there is an option given between the two, the preference would be the Arabic one for the following two reasons: 1) The Arabic names, like Maryam (Mary), Isa (Jesus), Yusuf (Joseph), Ibrahim (Abraham), Yaqub (Jacom), Ishaq (Isaac), Musa (Moses), Harun (Aaron), Yahya (John) – these are used by Allah (swt) Himself in the Qur’an. Thus what Allah (swt) uses for one's name is preferable to any other variations. 2) If one is naming a child following a great person, then it makes more sense to use the same name used by that person, and not a name that latter generations used for the person which he (or she) never used himself. It is well-known to the historians that many of the Old Testament prophet’s names were changed when they were latinized. One common change was replacing the “i” or “y” sounding letter with “J”. Thus Yusuf became Joseph, Isa became Jesus, Yaqub became Jacob, Yirusalem became Jerusaslem, Yunus became Jonah, etc. In Hebrew, which does not have the letter “J”, these names are still pronounced like they are in Arabic (or very close to how they are pronounced in Arabic). With Roman influence on Christiniaty, and the sweeping works of Latinizing everything, these changes in names also occurred. This is rather unacceptable, especially from Muslim point of view who always stress on authenticity and preserving originality. One scholar considered this "J-walking into people’s names". This brings out the same point once again that we made in the posting about “Allah vs. God”: although in the western world all Judeo-Christain terms and ways of doing things are considered authentic while Muslim are looked down upon as people who use alien terms in religion and worship alien deity, it often turns out that it is the Muslims who have more historical evidence for what they say and do. - Mushfiqur Rahman ------- Original Message ---------- From: "Ms Brooks" To: "Mushfiqur Rahman" Subject: Re: [New Muslims] Names Date: Tue, 21 Dec 2004 19:36:09 -0000 Salaam Alaykium, So if a name obviously is a Muslim/Islamic name he/she can enter, meaning non muslims may have entered Mecca and Medina, based on the name on their ID's? And by looks can someone be an obvious Muslim? And when giving names to our children does it have to be given in Arabic or can it be given in their native language? Like can Joseph be given instead of Yusuf? Hesus (sp) (spanish) be given instead of Essa? Etc. Thanks for sharing Carrie ------- Original Message ---------- From: Mushfiqur Rahman To: AdamsNewMuslims@yahoogroups.com Subject: Re: [New Muslims] Names Date: Tue, 21 Dec 2004 2:24 PM The Prophet (s) encouraged parents to give good names to their children. An Islamic name is any name that is associated with Allah (swt), such as “Abdullah” (servant of God), or was used by a prophet, such as “Muhammad”, “Ibrahim”, or “Abraham”, or one was used by a Muslim in the past known for his/her piety or services for God, such as “Maryam”, “Mary”, “Khalid”, Omar”, etc. Besides, any name bearing a good meaning can be considered a good name as well. Now, regarding the issue about certificate of conversion: this is to only serve a practical purpose, and not a religious one. Since non-Muslims are not allowed in the sacred cities of Makka and Madina and anyone could pose as a Muslim and try to enter these cities, the least that the Saudi authorities can do is check for one’s name. If the name shown on the ID papers is obviously a Muslim name, then they allow him/her to enter. On the other hand, if the person appears to be of non-Muslim background and he/she does not also have an obvious Muslim name, then they only want to make sure that he/she is a Muslim. They know that changing name after conversion is not required. However, when the person neither looks like a Muslim in his/her ethnic appearance nor has an Islamic name, then they have no choice but to ask for certificate of conversion. This is the least that they can do to make sure the person is genuinely a Muslim and not posing as a Muslim. Although it is not religiously required, having a certificate of conversion can be handy sometimes, such as in the case above. Another example can be for establishing the Islamic faith of a deceased when there is a possibility that he/she may be given a non-Muslim funeral and burial by relatives or others. The benefit of taking the shahada at a mosque is that there he/she is usually given a certificate of conversion. Besides, it is preferreble to declare the shahada to the Muslim community so that they may come to know him or her and help him/her assimilate into the Muslim community. For these reasons, it is recommended to declare the shahada at a mosque, although it is not strictly required. - Mushfiqur Rahman ----------- Original Message ------------- From: "Ms Brooks" To: AdamsNewMuslims@yahoogroups.com Subject: [New Muslims] Names Date: Tue, 21 Dec 2004 16:46:28 -0000 Salaam Alaykium, What is an Islamic name? I read on the brochure for one company for hajj stating what is required for Muslims to make hajj and one is that a revert has to show proof that they reverted to Islam, especially if their name is not Islamic and the proof would be a certificate from a mosque with an offical stamp. I have a certificate from ADAMS from when I took shahada, but remember many people saying it is not necessary to take shahada in the mosque and a Brother said this, on Saturday when Sister Jeanie took her shahada this past Saturday (May Allah (swt) bless her for accepting Islam). I am somewhat confused on this as not everyone takes shahada in a mosque and Arabic names, which I feel is the same as Islamic names are also given to non arabic speakers and non followers of Islam? Could someone with the name Mohammad who follows another religion other than Islam be accepted to go for hajj, while Jane Doe who made her shahada at home, 20 years ago, did not change her name, has no certificate to verify that she did this, not be accepted to complete her faith?? Thanks for anyone who can clear a Sister's mind. Yours in faith, Carrie

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