“A lot of converts unfortunately mistake the Arab culture for Islamic culture” And, may I add, so do a number of Arabs, and a whole lot of Westerners.

What’s the deal with a convert having to adopt an Arabic name ? Suppose my (Scandinavian) name meant “Spear of Thor, the God of Thunder” – as pagan as it gets, would I have to change my name, should I re-vert ?

Hi Halal.

Your question has been answered within Lou’s post and also within the comments above, and the answer is no. We as Muslims don’t understand why other Muslim converts feel the need to change their name and appearance, because it does not matter. If your name was Thor the Great, you are not required to change your name, but most do because somehow it makes them feel more in tune with the religion. People change things from “Mary” to “Mariam” and “Elias” to “Isa.” This is a personal decision that is personally justified by the convert, and not by the religion itself.

A lot of converts unfortunately mistake the Arab culture for Islamic culture. There are many things we do as Arabs that we are not required to do as Muslims, but converts adopt those things too, thinking it makes them more Muslim simply because Arab Muslims tend to do it.

This faith, most people don’t understand, is a very spiritual one. What matters in your heart and mind matters much more than what you look like on the outside. If you’re a bad Muslim, or a bad person, a veil and a thobe won’t change that. If you’re a good person and a good Muslim, not having a veil, beard and a thobe won’t change that. Pure Muslim converts understand and apply this concept. But many other converts don’t, and feel the need to dress and act like Arabs (Arabs make up a small population of worldwide Muslims, so doing this doesn’t even make sense.)

What’s the deal with a convert having to adopt an Arabic name ? Suppose my (Scandinavian) name meant “Spear of Thor, the God of Thunder” – as pagan as it gets, would I have to change my name, should I re-vert ?

However, i would like to clear out, as long as your foreign name doesn’t harm the sanctity of your islam, nor does it harm Allah or Islam in any way in meaning or concept, then it’s your identity.. Many fellow muslims from pakistan still hold their name dear, and once you know the meaning of their name, you’d know how beautiful it is.. However, The prophet PBUH did mention that most favored names are those that fall under the Mohammed and Abdullah Categories, Like Ahmed, Abdullah, Hamid, Mohammed and so on.. It’s a Sunna, so not following that won’t put you in the sinner scale, but doing it will give you that much more Hasanat.. As long as there is free well in someone’s choice, without the pressure of society or the faulty understanding of islam, then it’s all ok.. Islam is a religion of Ease, not the other way around..

Sayeed:
“Togather we are strong, let’s not divide Ummah.” Thank you for this amazing contribution to the topic.. much obliged, brother..

You don’t have to change your name to “Abdul Rahman” to be a Muslim. Any John Smith can be a Muslim. No beard or thobe required. Just be yourself, it’s what inside your mind and faith that counts, not your attire!

I hope the right people read your post.