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I have a surname that comes from my mother's side, is this permissible or would I have to change my name?

24 September 2024 • 3.7K views
Sheikh Muḥammad ibn Ṣāliḥ Al-’Uthaymīn said: "As for the question of whether a person who has a father may be attributed to their mother, the answer is that IF IT IS INTENDED AS A COMPLETE ATTRIBUTION, THEN IT IS NOT PERMISSIBLE. However, if the person is known by their mother's name, while it is understood that they are the child of their father, then there is no harm. For example, ’Abdullāh ibn Buḥaynah—Buḥaynah being the name of his mother, while his father’s name was Mālik—is still referred to by his mother’s name. The same applies to attributing a person to their grandfather if the grandfather is more well-known and doing so brings honour, provided that the lineage to the father is not severed. This is exemplified by the Prophet ﷺ's statement during the Battle of Ḥunayn: "I am the Prophet, no lie; I am the son of ’Abdul Muṭṭalib." Here, he referred to his grandfather ’Abdul Muṭṭalib because he was more well-known among his people, being a prominent leader, but this does not neglect his father ’Abdullāh. However, FORGETTING OR OMITTING THE FATHER ENTIRELY IS IMPERMISSIBLE as it may lead to legal issues. Source: [Tafsir al-Qur'an Al-Kareem Interpretation of Surah Al-Ma'idah - 08b https://alathar.net/home/esound/index.php?op=codevi&coid=150857 ____ Sheikh Ibn Baz rahimahullah said: ...في الجنسية والإقامة والأشياء الرسمية لا بدّ يصحح الوضع إلى أبيه، أما الانتساب العام فلا بأس. "However, regarding nationality, residency, and official matters, THE NAME MUST BE CORRECTED TO REFLECT HIS FATHER. As for general affiliation, there is no issue." https://binbaz.org.sa/fatwas/22145/%D8%AD%D9%83%D9%85-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A7%D9%86%D8%AA%D8%B3%D8%A7%D8%A8-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%89-%D8%BA%D9%8A%D8%B1-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A7%D8%A8