Title: Changing Name at Conversion Question: I hope you can assist me with this dilemma. I love her dearly and we want to be together but I won't get married without nikaah and she does not want to change her name as she believes that this is her identity and who she is. She is willing to perform nikaah and live the Muslim way but is having real difficulty about changing her name as she is a person with a really strong sense of character. I don't mind at all, in fact I'd like her to keep her name........but can this be done?......is this OK? Her name is Thamari..........Thamar is a Muslim name, it is only the letter 'i' that's missing. Will this be such a huge problem........Can an exception be made for Nikaah? It is really hurting our relationship at the moment and we might end up not being together at all, if this cannot be done. Please help. Many thanks & Salaams Answer: When a person converts to Islam the requirements are that they turn their hearts' and spirits' towards God. The transformation is merely the acceptance of Truth as the Lord Almighty has blessed the person with. In accepting Islam we are purified and cleansed of our previous beliefs. Yet, in all this Islam does not wash away the actual person who has turned to Him in submission. One's identity is an integral part of one's being and Islam recognizes and respects that. There is nothing in Islamic Shari'ah (i.e. Law) that requires a person to change their birth name. No one can demand this of a person who converts. The only time it may be necessary to make a name change is if the name is degrading to the individual or sacrilegious towards God. Thamari seems to be a beautiful name and she should keep it if she wishes to as that is her right. The marriage contract (i.e. nikah ) may proceed as normally. In no way does her name obstruct the marriage from taking place. May God shower His blessings upon you and your new wife, Thamari. I hope I have clarified the issue. God knows best. Ronnie Hassan September 13, 2004