Fatwa #452309 July 2020United States of America
Spelling of the name 'Isa - is it okay if I spell it as "Eesa"?
Question
Salam, I am planning to name my baby Isa. However, in USA Isa will be pronounced completely different. In order to keep ther correct pronunciation of ther name, is it okay if I spell it as "Eesa"?
Answer
In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
As-salāmu ‘alaykum wa-rahmatullāhi wa-barakātuh.
There is no hard and fast rule when transliterating Arabic names into English. It will be permissible for you to spell your child’s name as Eesa, since this will encourage people to pronounce the name correctly.
And Allah Ta’āla Knows Best
Abu ‘Umar Muhammad bin Zayn Patel
Student Darul Iftaa
South Africa
Checked and Approved by,
Mufti Ebrahim Desai.