Bearing the name `Awnullah

Fatwa no. ( 1691 ) A: I am a man called `Awnullah Ibn Rashid Al-`Utaiby. I have seen in a dream twice a voice calling me O Abdul-Mu`in! O, Abdul-Mu`in. Thus, I thought that my current name is a Makruh (disliked) name that would be better changed. Is the name of `Awnullah (lit. Allah's help) Makruh and should it be changed? If so, may I change it to the name I was called in the dream, i.e. Abdul-Mu`in? Or, is it permissible to drop the sacred name (Allah) turning my name into `Awn Ibn Rashid? Please, give me a Fatwa.

A: Being called `Awnullah is neither prohibited nor Makruh according to Shari`ah. The name, in fact, means help from Allah, a meaning approved by and in line with the objectives of Shari`ah. Accordingly, you need not change your name or any part of it. Moreover, you should not base your actions on the dream you saw. Actually, dreams sometimes come true and sometimes are mere delusions , upon which no Shar`y (Islamic legal) ruling may be based and by virtue of which no name should be changed. (Part No. 11; Page No. 476) May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.