Changing one's non-Muslim surname

Q: My surname represents an Indian god. Is this permissible although I did not choose to have it, for example, my surname is Shiva or Vishnu. Should I change this or leave it even though our ancestors kept the name to honour these idols?

A: Change the name.

And Allah Ta'ala (الله تعالى) knows best.

 

Answered by:

Mufti Zakaria Makada

Checked & Approved:

Mufti Ebrahim Salejee (Isipingo Beach)