Thinks his name and magic may be the cause of his problems
Fatwa No: 89642

Question

My name is Khoker Zafarulla khan, s/o. Khoker Jamal khan belongs to Muslim Indian presently expatriate of Kuwait. From 15 years onwards I had been a lot of troubles in my life. Presently I have a lot of credits on my shoulders. I have two daughters. One is 9 years another one 4 years living along with my wife. Is there any trouble from my name? Some time I think that may be some body musician (Sihar) upon me. If so the trouble is coming to me. Al Hamdu Lillah, I always needs Allaah's mercy. From 15 years I had developed in businesses in job (mouzuf). Please suggest me a right way to follow. I have no E-mail ID. How can I visit to your site to see the reply from you, the ID which presently I sending is inactive. I always thankful to you sir. Or Can I change my name? Suggest ( Rayak) me your opinion acceding to Quran basic.

Answer

All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger. We ask Allaah to exalt his mention as well as that of his family and all his companions.

You have to know that this life is a test. Allaah afflicts the Muslim person with whatever He wants, and if the latter is patient and seeks the reward from Allaah, then his sins will be wiped out and he will be raised in ranks. The Prophet said: "A Muslim male and female are continuously afflicted in their own selves, their children and their wealth until they meet their Lord without having a sin." [At-Tirmithi]

So what you are experiencing could be merely an affliction or caused by negligence on your part. Your name has no effect on your situation. Anyway, we advise you to be patient and to seek Allaah's help and not surrender to illusions. You have to supplicate to Allaah as much as possible for help to repay your debts. We advise you to supplicate as 'Ali said to a man (who was facing financial difficulties): "Shall I not teach you some words that the Prophet taught me if you have debts as big as the mountain of Subayr, Allaah would help you pay your debts?  He said, say: "Allaahumma akfinee bihalaalika 'an haraamika waghninee bifadhlika 'amman siwaak" 'O Allaah! Suffice me with what is lawful from that which is unlawful, and spare me by Your Grace of the need for others." [At-Tirmithi]  

However, if you are sure that you are affected by magic and the like, then you have to seek Ruqyah, read the Qur'an and seek the forgiveness of Allaah as much as possible. Besides, you should regularly recite the legislated mention of Allaah especially those said in the morning and evening. There is no harm to seek Ruqyah from whoever is known to have correct belief, but you should avoid going to magicians and fortune-tellers.

As regards your name, you do not have to change it if it does not contradict the Islamic Law. In principle, all names are allowed, but if they have a meaning that contradicts the Islamic Law, like being a slave to other than Allaah, or to be named with one of the Names of Allaah, then it must be changed.

Finally, we draw your attention to the following matters:

1)     Islam warns us against being indebted so it is not permissible to get a loan except when being in a dire need.

2)     When having a loan, one has to sincerely intend to repay it. The Prophet said: "Whoever takes people's money and wants to repay, Allaah will help him to do so, and whoever takes people's money with the intention to spoil it, Allaah will spoil his wealth and punish him in Hereafter." [Al-Bukhari]

Allaah knows best.

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