Q 1: Thirty years ago, my father's paternal cousin came to Kuwait looking for a job. After a while, he quit his job and returned to his homeland, Saudi Arabia. He is eighty five years old now.Q 2: His paternal nephew later came in search of a job to provide for himself, but he used his uncle's name rather than his father's. (Part No. 20; Page No. 381) Up until this moment he continues to work under this name.Q 3: I also came to search for work, applied for a job to earn a living, but I named myself after my father's cousin instead of my father. I did this for livelihood purposes, but now the reality is that I am married and have children who are students at different stages of their education. Whatever property we own and all transactions and official documents are registered according to the new name not the real one. It should be mentioned that up till now, I am still known by my real name amongst my family and tribe and they call me by it.As for governmental departments and organizations, I am known by the name which I recently assumed. However, deep in my heart, I do not accept this new name, but as I have mentioned, I did this only for livelihood purposes and the future of my family. Furthermore, there are other circumstances that forced me to be assume this name.What is the opinion of Your Honor on this? May Allah preserve you. For if I tried to return to my real name and reveal it publicly to the governmental authorities, the following would happen: 1- I will lose my job which is the sole source of income for me and the ten members of my family. 2- My children will be deprived of education, (Part No. 20; Page No. 382) 3- I will lose my house that I got for my family, which is the only thing that we possess. 4- Some of my relatives will suffer the same consequences, and other people may be harmed.Does the following noble Hadith apply to me? Whoever knowingly claims to belong to anyone other than his father, Jannah (Paradise) will be Haram (prohibited) for him. Is there a Kaffarah (expiation) or any other way to rectify this deed if it is wrong ? Awaiting Your Honor's reply to my problem, for after Allah's Will, the destiny of me and my family depends on your decision.

A: You should observe Tawbah (repentance), seek Allah's Forgiveness and rectify this name problem according to the truth, and there is nothing else that you can do if you sincerely offer Tawbah to Allah, for He states: And verily, I am indeed forgiving to him who repents, believes (in My Oneness, and associates none in worship with Me) and does righteous good deeds, and then remains constant in doing them, (till his death). However, the hardships that you fear you will face upon revealing your real name are not to prevent you from resorting to truth. Surely, Allah will make your matters easy for you and compensate you for your loses (Part No. 20; Page No. 383) when you reclaim your real name, and offer Tawbah to Allah (Glorified be He) for this forgery, for Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He) says: And whosoever fears Allâh and keeps his duty to Him, He will make a way for him to get out (from every difficulty). And He will provide him from (sources) he never could imagine. And: ...and whosoever fears Allâh and keeps his duty to Him, He will make his matter easy for him. We ask of Allah to guide you and us to sincere Tawbah. May Peace and blessings be on our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.