To use a pen name or not

[ibnislam]

Assalaamu alaykum,

When writing articles for da'wah sites like this one, do you advise that one signs it with his real name, or with a pen name for publishing?

Reasons would be appreciated.

[AnonyMousey]

Wa 'alaikumus-salaam,

Pros of a pen name:

Nobody knows who you *really* are - so if anybody you know personally reads your stuff, they won't know it's you (unless you tell them), and the chances of them praising you to your face will be fewer, which in turn decreases the chance for you to become proud and arrogant (may Allah protect us from that, ameen).

Less chance of stalkers (not that THAT is really likely anyway, but anyway...).

Cons of a pen name:

If you're aiming to become a professional writer and wish to use writing da'wah articles as part of your resume, then a pen name probably wouldn't be accepted by whomever you're submitting your resume to (because they'd need proof it's really YOU and not just you claiming to be so-and-so).

[Salahadeen]

Use a pen name for safety reasons.

[Magoo]

believe it or not, magoo isnt my real name, its better not to give your real name on the net in my opinion, pen names are good or you could be abu abdullah or a kunya of that sort

Allah knows best

[hearandobey]

i agree with bro magoo.

[AbiSalahuddin]

Use a pen name for safety reasons.

You needn't worry about safety. I'm sure your country would laud people like you as their saviour, rather than to turn against you.

[Yasir]

believe it or not, magoo isnt my real name, its better not to give your real name on the net in my opinion, pen names are good or you could be abu abdullah or a kunya of that sortWhat does ‘Magoo’ mean? What language is it? Is it after the apparent cartoon character Mr. Magoo (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mr._Magoo)?

[Nu7]

You needn't worry about safety. I'm sure your country would laud people like you as their saviour, rather than to turn against you.

What good can possibly come out of such comments? Let's all fear Allah, 'Azza wa Jal.

[Magoo]

What does ‘Magoo’ mean? What language is it? Is it after the apparent cartoon character Mr. Magoo (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mr._Magoo)?

something like the cartoon but not quite, it is similar to a name my family and friends call me and when i re-registered on the forum i thought my real nickname would be a give away so i amended it slightly.

[Umm Ahmed]

If your going to write an article that's going to be published I believe then people should know who the author is , especially when the article is beneficial to others.

I am known in the area I live in as Umm Ahmed, my eldest son is Ahmed.
I didn't use my first name when I joined as I don't want strangers addressing me with my first name.

[juwairiyah]

bismillah

assalamu'alaykum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh

that's interesting mashaallah sister.It's the custom of Arabs . I remember when i was small ,mothers were popular with their kunyah mother of so and so. but now days have changed and so have the customs ..
Even in marriage cards ppl wld avoid taking girls name.Instead,I have seen daughter of so and so getting married to Fulan mashaallah

[Salahadeen]

You needn't worry about safety. I'm sure your country would laud people like you as their saviour, rather than to turn against you.

Well, terrorist lovers might blow me up, since they love killing fellow Muslims and all.

[Mustafa al-Muhaajir]

Terrorist Lover, Defeatist/Apologist ... Why can't we just get along ?


http://img2.freeimagehosting.net/uploads/39bd351206.jpg (http://www.freeimagehosting.net/)

[Salahadeen]

Terrorist Lover, Defeatist/Apologist ... Why can't we just get along ?


http://img2.freeimagehosting.net/uploads/39bd351206.jpg (http://www.freeimagehosting.net/)

hahahahaha

thanks for lightening the mood.

[Fajr]

When writing articles for da'wah sites like this one, do you advise that one signs it with his real name, or with a pen name for publishing?

Reasons would be appreciated.I would say that in professional writing (or if you intend to continue) then you'll need to put your name on the article so readers can know who to address comments and criticism to as well as referencing - this is something taught so I assume it's the norm in the 'world of literature.' But if it's a one-off piece or perhaps there's a reason for not putting your name then kunya/nicknames may suffice?

I remember reading/hearing something regarding this in Islamic scholarship - there was strong suggestions of putting real names down either with or after kunya/laqab in order to trace back authored pieces to their respective authors (as there is a sense of amanah in books/writings).