THE Abdullah CLUB  

"New Names" (SIGNS issue no. 8) aroused considerable interest about people who assume Arabic names when they convert to Islam. This is not the practice in Turkey, which once ruled over much of Arabia. But this is a common practice in other parts of the non-Arabic world like India, Pakistan and Malaysia. Apparently, to have an Arabic name is to be Islamic.

By the same yardstick if the Prophet of Islam been born a Chinaman by the name of Lim Kit Siang then should the Muslims name their sons Lim Kit Siang also? That would be Incorrect.

In Lebanon names like Musa, Bashir and Amin are quite common. They are definitely Arabic but these are names common among Maronite Christians. Similarly the phrase "Allahu Akbar has been uttered by Christian Arabs long before the Muslims. It is Interesting to note that this phrase "Allhu Akbar" cannot be found anywhere in the Quran.

The ulema have compiled a list known as the "Asamul Husna" or the "Beautiful Names of God". Although they have compiled up to 99 names only some of the names in this list can be found in the Quran. And surprisingly the name "Akbar" cannot be found even in their own "Asmaul Husna".

According to the ulema the word "Akbar" is an attribute of God and is supposed to mean "the greatest". There is no evidence for this in the Quran. Instead the Quran attributes the meaning "the greatest" to the word "Azeem" - indeed one of the attributes of God Almighty.

And in the Quran God clearly commands us, "Say, "Call Him Allah or call Him AR Rahman. The most beautiful names belong to Him"" Surah 17:110.

"Allah" and "AR Rahman" are among God's beautiful names or "Asmaul Husna" which have been sanctioned by God Himself in the Quran. These are rood names with which we can call Him.

As quoted, Surah 33:5 is very clear, "You shall give your adopted children names that preserve their relationships to their fathers. This is more equitable in the sight of God..."

Hence if a Muslim family adopts a Chinese child called Lim Kit Siang they should not change the child s name to Musa, Amin or Bashir. That would not be equitable in the sight of God
(Surah 33:5 above).

However even among Arab Muslims there are certain names, which although Arabic are sometimes taboo. For example few Arab Muslims give the name "Maryam" (Mary) to their daughters because this is a name distinct among Christian Arabs.

In countries like Pakistan, India or Malaysia people do not understand Arabic and tend to believe the fiction that the sayings of the ulema are written in stone. Hence they end up giving their sons names like Naruddeen (Light of The Fire) or Abu Hurairah (Father of Cats) without realising what they are doing.

In Malaysia for some strange reason converts into Islam are forced to add "Abdullah"
to their own names. Hence the President of the Malaysia Chinese Muslim Associations is a Hong Abdullah, the Secretary General is Chin Abdullah, the Treasurer is Low Abdullah and the Assistant Secretary General is Tee Abdullah. It is not difficult to think up an alternate name for this association other than The Abdullah Club.

God commands us, "O you who believe, no people should ridicule other people, for they may be better than they ... Nor should you mock one another, or make fun of your names... Surah 49:11

Therefore Chinese names cannot be more Islamic that Arab names. Nor can Arab names be more Islamic than native Pakistani names. And we should not mock others by erasing their natural names and replacing them with Arabic names - all in the name of Islam.

A. Rahman