Female changing her surname after marriage

After the Nikah is performed in the Masjid, the marriage is generally registered at Home Affairs department. On registering the marriage, the wife’s surname is automatically changed to her husband’s surname in her identity document. The change of surname is as per South African law hence, one is left with no option in this matter. This in no way means that her lineage will now be attributed to her husband’s family. Her lineage will always be attributed to her father but the change was by virtue of marriage.

In fact, it is recorded in some Ahadith that a person will be addressed by the father’s name on the day of the Qiyaamah and in other narrations, by the mother’s name. In conclusion, it will be permissible to change the surname due to the above-mentioned reasons.