Muslim converts in Perlis need not change father’s name

In Malaysia, the current practice is that anyone who converts to Islam will have to forego his father's or surname and instead adopt the bin Abdullah or binti Abdullah.

Perlis has taken a positive step with regard to this and the Perlis Fatwa Council has declared that non-Muslims converting to Islam in the state of Perlis need not (or not allowed to) lose their father's name or surname.

According to the Perlis Mufti, Dr Mohd Asri Zainu, this move was in response to complaints by non-Muslims who have stated that their right to retain the name of their father or surname when converting to Islam had been denied.
Perlis Mufti Dr Mohd Asri Zainul Abidin said the edict or fatwa

He said,
“When non-Muslims convert to Islam, their name is followed by `bin’ or ‘binti’ Abdullah. This should not be the case because they are actually being denied justice and their right besides affecting what had been upheld by Islam, that is nasab (descendants).

“Changing to ‘bin Abdullah’ is awkward and did not happen in the history of Islam. During the time of the Prophet, those converting to Islam did not change their father’s name or surname and other matters pertaining to their descendants.

Read story..The Star