Mu' meneen Brothers and Sisters,

As Salaam Aleikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh. (May Allah's Peace, Mercy and Blessings be upon all of you)

One of our brothers/sisters has asked this question:

I have been troubled by this question for many years now, and have been looking for someone to give me advice on this issue. I hope that you would take the time to respond to my query.

I was adopted by my Uncles and aunt (my father`s sister and her husband) when I was an infant. My parents out of ignorance gave me their surname. My mother obtained true knowledge of deen some years back, she wants me to change it, but I know my uncle would be devastated by my doing so, even if he accepts it as Allah`s ruling (which he would,inshallah, as he has also found guidance,alhamdulillah) it would still hurt him very much, and he is weak of heart and advanced in age now. By the grace of Allah(SWT) I am already matured and into my late twenties now, and unfortunately have been known by this name throughout my life. Furthermore, although of a much lesser importance, all my certificates and professional qualifications are of this name, and it would be a great inconvenience to change.

Now my questions are twofold:

1)I know the ruling on claiming paternity outside your true lineage, but can I keep my name the way it is in my passport and other documents while introducing myself as the son of my biological father to everyone on an informal basis?

2)Since my current sirname is Siddiqui, which if literally translated, means `from he who bears witness to the truth`, could this be a generic name applied to any servant of Allah, and may also refer to my biological father?

Jazakumullah Khair 

(There may be some grammatical and spelling errors in the above statement. The forum does not change anything from questions, comments and statements received from our readers for circulation in confidentiality.)

Answer:

Adopted child father name

In the name of Allah, We praise Him, seek His help and ask for His forgiveness. Whoever Allah guides none can misguide, and whoever He allows to fall astray, none can guide them aright. We bear witness that there is none worthy of worship but Allah Alone, and we bear witness that Muhammad (saws) is His slave-servant and the seal of His Messengers.

Allah says in the Holy Quran Chapter 33 Surah Ahzaab verses 4-5:

…Allah has not made your adopted sons your real sons. These are the things which you utter from your mouths, but Allah says what is based on reality; and He Alone guides to the Right Way. Call your adopted sons after their father’s names; this is more just in the sight of Allah. And if you do not know who their fathers are, then they are your brothers in faith and your friends. There is no blame on you if you say something unintentionally; but you will surely be to blame for what you say with the intention of your hearts. Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.

Sahih Al-Bukhari Hadith 4.712 Narrated by Wathila bin Al Asqa

Allah's Messenger (saws) said, "Verily, one of the worst lies is to claim falsely to be the son of someone other than one's real father, or to claim to have had a dream one has not had, or to attribute to me what I have not said."

Sahih Al-Bukhari Hadith 4.711 Narrated by Abu Dhar

The Prophet (saws) said, "If somebody claims to be the son of any other than his real father knowingly, he but disbelieves in Allah; and if somebody claims to belong to some folk to whom he does not belong, let such a person take his place in the (Hell) Fire."

In light of the above quoted guidance of the Quran and the Sunnah, it is evident that one should be called and recognized by the name of one’s own biological father. It is indeed a grave sin in the Sight of Allah Subhanah if one intentionally claims to be the offspring of any but one’s own biological father.

Q-1: I know the ruling on claiming paternity outside your true lineage, but can I keep my name the way it is in my passport and other documents while introducing myself as the son of my biological father to everyone on an informal basis?

Respected brother in Islam, if one has unintentionally taken the name of one’s adopted father in ignorance in their childhood and later in life realizes the dictates and the Laws of Islam, one should strive their utmost to change their error and be called and recognized henceforth by the name of their own biological father; even if it means one has to change all of one’s official documents like passports, certificates, etc. …..that would be more just and right in the Sight of Allah Subhanah.

If after one’s best efforts, one finds it almost impossible to change one’s name in one’s previous education, business, or legal records….the least one can do is from this day forward fear Allah and the Last Day and insist on being called and recognized by the name of one’s own biological father.

Q-2: Since my current sirname is Siddiqui, which if literally translated, means `from he who bears witness to the truth`, could this be a generic name applied to any servant of Allah, and may also refer to my biological father?

If one is assigned a ‘specific’ name/surname as a form of one’s recognition, it leaves the ‘generic’ or ‘translated’ status and becomes specific to that person.

It would neither be lawful nor appropriate for you to use your current specific ‘surname’ (ie. Siddiqui, which I assume is the name of your adopted father) with your name….that would neither be right nor just nor lawful in the Sight of Allah Subhanah.

Even if you did not know the name of your biological father, and the name of your adopted father was ‘Siddiqui’, you could use any other generic name (eg. Abdullah, Abdur-Rahmaan, etc.) as your surname, except ‘Siddiqui’….as this happens to be the name of your adopted father!

Whatever written of Truth and benefit is only due to Allah’s Assistance and Guidance, and whatever of error is of me alone. Allah Alone Knows Best and He is the Only Source of Strength.

Your brother and well wisher in Islam,

Burhan