Prayer TimesAccording to Sharia, every person should be called by their own family name. Allah says in the Qur'an:
ادْعُوهُمْ لِآبَائِهِمْ هُوَ أَقْسَطُ عِندَ اللَّهِ
“Call them by [the names of] their fathers; that is more just in the sight of Allah” [1].
Based on this verse, some scholars prohibit a married woman from taking her husband's surname [2]. However, other scholars say that if taking the husband's surname is a social custom and is only for identification, it is permissible [3]. This is because in the Qur'an, women are referred to by their husbands, such as “the wife of Noah” and “the wife of Lot” [4].
In a hadith narrated from Abu Sa'id al-Khudri (may Allah be pleased with him): “Zaynab, the wife of Mas'ud (may Allah be pleased with her), came to the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) and asked for permission to enter. When someone said, 'O Messenger of Allah! Zaynab is asking permission to enter,' he asked, 'Which Zaynab?' They replied, 'The wife of Mas'ud.' He said, 'Let her enter.' So she was given permission to enter” [5].
Therefore, a married woman should be called by her father's name. Changing it is haram. However, there is no sin in taking her husband's surname, but it is not obligatory. The husband also should not force her to take his surname.
Department of Sharia and Fatwa, Spiritual Administration of Muslims of Kazakhstan
[1] Surah al-Ahzab, 5.
[2] https://www.fatawah.net/Questions/11366.aspx
[3] Ayman Abdulhamid al-Badarayni, "Fatawa Ma'ashara", 2/113-116.
[4] Surah at-Tahrim, 10.
[5] Bukhari, No. 1462. Muslim, No. 80.
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