Expert: Sirine Malas - 3/6/2011

Question
QUESTION: Hoping you can help

I reverted to Islam nearly 2 years ago, but have kept my western name "Richard". However, I am getting married in a few months time and we were wondering if Richard had an equivalent Arabic name - to put on the invitations. Some people have said that Rashid. But i dont want to use a translated name unless it is correct.

Hope you can help

Richard

ANSWER: Hi Richard,

NO no Rashid is a totally different name it only sounds a bit like Richard I guess:-)

If you know exactly what does "Richard" mean in English I ll give you a name that would be a transliteration of it in Arabic.

Regards,
Sirine

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thanks, Richard means "Powerful Ruler"

Answer
Hi Richard,

Beautiful name :-)

Now there isn't a single word in Arabic that would serve to be a synonym to Powerful Ruler.

Now Ruler is Haken   حاكم
and Powerful has got lots of vocabulary to describle it such as Jabbar, Qawi, Nafeth.
جبار. قوي . نافذ

If I may make a suggestion for the name change (although I honestly don't see why you need to change such a beautiful name) Why don't you go by the name Omar al Khattab was known by as a Fair Ruler that is Al Faissal (I put double S so that you don't pronounce it as a z) الفيصل
It is a beautiful name and would be the closest option to what you name means.

Have a happy marriage.

If you want me to suggest more names please don't hesitate to contact me.
Cheers,
Sirine