[Q 257] Islamic perspective on the wife changing her surname

Question

Whose surname should a newly married women take?

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

الجواب بعون الملك الوهاب اللهم هداية الحق والصواب

Answer

Whether a woman adds her father’s name or her husband’s name to her own name, the intent behind it is to establish her identity. This identification can be attained with either her father’s or her husband’s name.

Therefore, it is permissible for a woman to choose either name after marriage, and if she adds her husband’s name, it’s intent is to show her marital status, and this is shown through the practice in our culture, which is permissible.

Answered by: Asif Raza Madani (Ask Mufti Scholar)

Verified by: Mufti Sajid Attari

Translated by: Aqib Attari