Is it ok to add a typical secular western (non-christian) first name to my name to reduce discrimination?
The question of whether it is permissible to add a secular Western name to your own for the purpose of reducing discrimination is not directly addressed in the Qur'an or hadith. However, we can look at related principles from Islamic teachings.
In the Qur'an, Allah emphasizes the importance of one's identity and the names we bear. For instance, in Surah Al-A'raaf, it is stated: Allah's are the fairest names. Invoke Him by them.
7:180. This highlights the significance of names and their meanings in Islam. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ also advised on the importance of good names, as he encouraged naming children with names that have positive meanings.
From the perspective of Islamic teachings, there is an understanding that a name should reflect one's identity and values. It is not inherently forbidden to adopt a name to navigate social challenges, such as discrimination, as long as it aligns with Islamic principles and does not involve renouncing one's own identity or faith.
Additionally, Ibn Kathir explains that the act of mocking or ridiculing others is forbidden, as found in the verse: O you who believe! Let not a folk deride a folk who may be better than they...
49:11. This can imply that individuals should not be judged or discriminated against based on their names or backgrounds. Therefore, if adopting a secular name serves to mitigate discrimination while not compromising one's faith or identity, it may be viewed more favorably.
Ultimately, it can be beneficial to seek guidance from knowledgeable scholars or community leaders about your specific situation, as cultural practices and interpretations may vary.
Sources
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7:180 · Al-A'raaf
7:180 · Muhammad Marmaduke Pickthall
وَلِلَّهِ ٱلْأَسْمَآءُ ٱلْحُسْنَىٰ فَٱدْعُوهُ بِهَا ۖ وَذَرُوا۟ ٱلَّذِينَ يُلْحِدُونَ فِىٓ أَسْمَٰٓئِهِۦ ۚ سَيُجْزَوْنَ مَا كَانُوا۟ يَعْمَلُونَ
Allah's are the fairest names. Invoke Him by them. And leave the company of those who blaspheme His names. They will be requited what they do.
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49:11 · Al-Hujuraat
49:11 · Muhammad Marmaduke Pickthall
يَٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ لَا يَسْخَرْ قَوْمٌۭ مِّن قَوْمٍ عَسَىٰٓ أَن يَكُونُوا۟ خَيْرًۭا مِّنْهُمْ وَلَا نِسَآءٌۭ مِّن نِّسَآءٍ عَسَىٰٓ أَن يَكُنَّ خَيْرًۭا مِّنْهُنَّ ۖ وَلَا تَلْمِزُوٓا۟ أَنفُسَكُمْ وَلَا تَنَابَزُوا۟ بِٱلْأَلْقَٰبِ ۖ بِئْسَ ٱلِٱسْمُ ٱلْفُسُوقُ بَعْدَ ٱلْإِيمَٰنِ ۚ وَمَن لَّمْ يَتُبْ فَأُو۟لَٰٓئِكَ هُمُ ٱلظَّٰلِمُونَ
O ye who believe! Let not a folk deride a folk who may be better than they (are), not let women (deride) women who may be better than they are; neither defame one another, nor insult one another by nicknames. Bad is the name of lewdness after faith. And whoso turneth not in repentance, such are evil-doers.
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Tafsir Ibn Kathir on 49:11
Tafsir Ibn Kathir · 49:11
Allah Almighty forbids mocking or ridiculing others, which means belittling and showing contempt for them. This is supported by authentic traditions from the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) who said: “Arrogance is to reject the truth and to look down on people.” Sometimes it is reported as “to despise people.” The meaning is to scorn others and consider them insignificant, which is prohibited. Sometimes, the one despised may be more esteemed by Allah than the one mocking them. Hence, Allah commands: “O you who believe, let no people ridicule another people; perhaps they may be better than them, nor let women ridicule other women; perhaps they may be better than them.” This verse forbids ridicule among men and then extends this prohibition to women as well. Regarding the command “Do not backbite one another” or literally “do not accuse one another,” it means do not slander or insult others. Those who habitually slander others are blameworthy and cursed, as Allah says: “Woe to every slanderer and backbiter.” The terms “slamming” and “backbiting” refer to harmful actions and speech, respectively. One who belittles others and attacks them verbally while spreading gossip is condemned. Therefore, Allah says here “and do not backbite one another,” just as He said elsewhere “and do not kill yourselves,” meaning do not harm or destroy each other. Ibn Abbas, Mujahid, Saeed ibn Jubayr, Qatadah, and Muqatil ibn Hayyan explained “do not backbite one another” as: do not defame or slander each other. The phrase “and do not call one another by offensive nicknames” means do not address each other using derogatory or insulting names. Imam Ahmad reports from Ismail that Dawud ibn Abi Hind narrated from al-Sha’bi that Abu Jabeerah ibn al-Dahhak said this was revealed concerning the tribe of Banu Salimah. When the Prophet (peace be upon him) arrived in Madinah, every man had two or three names, some of which caused offense. When a man was called by a particular name, others would say to the Prophet that he was saddened by it, so this verse was revealed forbidding such name-calling. Abu Dawud also narrated this through a chain of transmitters. The statement “What an evil name is defiancy after faith” means that reproachful and offensive name-calling is a terrible characteristic and conduct, especially after embracing Islam and having sound understanding. The “defiancy” here refers to fighting each other by insulting names, as was common among the pre-Islamic Arabs before accepting Islam. Whoever does not repent from such behavior after believing falls into injustice, for Allah says at the end: “And whoever does not repent — those are the wrongdoers.”
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