Bearing the name Subhan Allah

Q: This request is submitted to Your Honor by Mr. Subhan Allah (lit. Glory be to Allah) Mianqil, a Pakistani residing in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in the city of Jeddah. I work as a Mu'adhin (caller to Prayer) under the Saudi Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Endowments, Da`wah and Guidance. The department of Hajj and Endowments has objected to my name. I hope that Your Honor will give me a fatwa on whether such a name is permissible from a Shar`y (Islamic legal) viewpoint. If impermissible, please give me a written petition so that I can change my name at the Passport Authority. Thank you very much.

A: You must change such a name as your personality does not denote Subhan Allah. Rather, Subhan Allah (Glory be to Allah) is an utterance of Dhikr (Remembrance of Allah).Moreover, it should be changed to a name that is permissible from a Shar`y viewpoint such as Abdullah, Muhammad, Ahmad, (Part No. 11; Page No. 478) or the like.May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.