Q: I am a seventy year old man. According to the custom in my country, I was given my maternal uncle's name, as he was sterile and I was raised in his house since my early days. However, I did not inherit anything from my maternal uncle. Despite the fact that the name that was registered in my official papers and that I, my children and my grandchildren are known by who are about fifty in number, was (Part No. 20; Page No. 365) M. R. S. M. While my real name is M. `A. M. M. Recently I learned about the Hadith in which the Prophet (peace be upon him) prohibited ascribing oneself to other than one's own father. I fear being considered a sinner regarding this matter. My questions are: 1- Does the Hadith mentioned above apply to my case? 2- Am I considered a sinner if I am not able to change my name because of the difficulty of resolving these matters in courts in our country? 3- Is it permissible to add Al Rabi`ah to my real name as this is the surname of the family in which I grew up and I am known by?

A: It is Wajib (obligatory) on you to change your current name to your real one for it is authentically narrated on the authority of Abu Dhar (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (peace be upon him) stated: There is not a man who attributes himself to other than his own father, while knowing him, but has disbelieved. (Related by Ahmad, Al-Bukhari, and Muslim) Another proof is the Hadith that is narrated on the authority of Sa`d and Abu Bakrah in which the Prophet (peace be upon him) stated: Whoever claims to be the son of a person other than his father, and he knows that person is not his father, then Jannah (Paradise) will be forbidden for him. (Part No. 20; Page No. 366)  (Related by Ahmad, Al-Bukhari, Muslim, Abu Dawud, and Ibn Majah) A third proof is the Hadith narrated on the authority of Anas that the Prophet (peace be upon him) stated: If anyone claims to be the son of a person other than his father or the bondsman of other than his own holders, there will be upon him the curse of Allah until the Day of Resurrection. (Related by Abu Dawud) Though the wording of these Hadith differ, they all warn whomever claims to be the descendant of a person other than their father that they will be deprived from Paradise and punished in hellfire for changing their lineages as this leads to corruption. It leads to depriving real heirs from receiving their rights, giving inheritance to non-heirs, and much confusion regarding defining unmarriageable and marriageable relatives. Moreover, using false names is tantamount to defaming one's own lineage, disdaining their ancestors, and being undutiful to them etc. Therefore, whoever indulges in such a sin deserves the curse of Allah until the Day of Resurrection, as the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) stated. May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.