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Wife taking the husband's surname

Q: I would like to know if a wife is allowed to take on her husband’s surname?


A: A wife may adopt her husbands surname if she wishes. The wife using the husband's surname will not amount to attributing her lineage to anyone other than her father. It is generally done for matters of convenience and identification.

The prohibition mentioned in the Quran and Hadith refers to attributing one's lineage to a person other than one's real parents. This is not the case when a woman changes her surname to that of her husband. Nevertheless, this should be the decision of the wife and she should be allowed to choose whatever she prefers.

And Allah Ta'ala Knows Best

Was Salaam

Shafiq Jakhura (Mufti) and M.D. Mangera (Mufti)
Darul Ihsan Fatwa Dept.

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