Bearing the name `Abd Ramadan

Q: Your Eminence, my name is Aly Muhammad Al-Hajj `Abd. My family name is Ramadan. So my full name is Aly Muhammad Al-Hajj `Abd Ramadan. My first name is Aly, my middle name is Muhammad and my grandfather's name is Al-Hajj `Abd (the word `Abd literally means servant) and my family name is Ramadan. I have children who go to school. They are asked by the Ministry of Education to bring a Fatwa that the meaning of this name does not contradict the rulings of Shari`ah. This name is already used in the birth certificate, passport, and school certificates. I hope you will issue a Fatwa about this. May Allah save and protect you.

A: If the reality is as you have mentioned, then there is no harm in keeping this name as it is (Part No. 11; Page No. 462) because the grandfather's name `Abd, which literally means a servant, when followed by Ramadan does not mean the servant of Ramadan. It is not a continuation of its meaning. In fact it is the family name. However, supposing it is a continuation of the meaning, a Muslim does not have to change his grandfather's name if it involves Shirk (associating others with Allah in His Divinity or worship) or if it is a bad or abhorrent name.May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.