The name Niranjan ‘Ali changed to Muhammad ‘Ali

Question

Question: At birth this worthless one was given the name Muhammad Niranjan ‘Ali. For twenty years I was called by this name; relatives, kin and the villagers call me by this name. When I took up employment at Madrasa Fayd al-‘Ulum, a certain respected scholar advised me to take the name Muhammad ‘Ali; I accepted, and in the madrasa I became known by this name.

Answer

Keep the name Muhammad ‘Ali only. What became known involuntarily should be corrected this way: whoever calls you or writes by the wrong name, tell him, “My name is Muhammad ‘Ali.” If the need arises, have it corrected in the government papers as well — that the original and correct name is Muhammad ‘Ali, and such-and-such name became known by mistake.

Source: Fatawa Mahmudiyya

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