NYSC & The Prohibition of Women Adopting Their Husband’s Surname: An Islamic Perspective
The recent directive from the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), which allows married women to retain their father’s surname rather than adopting their husband’s, is a progressive and noteworthy decision. This move not only preserves personal identity but also aligns with key Islamic teachings regarding lineage and individual recognition.
In Islam, a woman’s identity is traditionally tied to her father’s name, not her husband’s. Allah (SWT) clearly emphasizes this in the Qur’an:
“Call them by (the names of) their fathers; that is more just in the sight of Allah.”
— Al-Ahzab 33:5
This verse highlights the significance of lineage in Islam, showing that one’s family heritage is important and should remain intact. The practice of women taking their husband’s surname is not rooted in Islamic law; it is more a product of cultural norms that do not have a basis in Shari’ah.
Islamic tradition maintains that a woman’s identity is connected to her father’s lineage, not altered by her marital status. Adopting her husband’s surname can create confusion, erase her connection to her paternal lineage, and contradict Islamic principles of clarity and justice. Furthermore, if a woman remarries after a divorce or widowhood, should her name change again? Such practices complicate inheritance laws, familial relationships (mahram status), and other aspects tied to one’s original lineage.
As the esteemed scholar Shaykh Bakr Abu Zayd (rahimahullah) stated, “Naming someone by their father’s name is more fitting, as it helps distinguish people and preserve their true identity.” This profound insight underscores the importance Islam places on the clarity of lineage.
The NYSC’s decision to respect a woman’s choice in retaining her father’s surname is a step forward in preserving personal identity, upholding justice, and aligning with Islamic values. It serves as a reminder to uphold our values and reject practices that conflict with the principles of faith, justice, and reason.
May Allah guide us all to what is best, preserving our identities both in this life and the Hereafter.
