Desirability of good names in Islam
Malam Hassan Muhammad Lamin, a Kano-based Islamic scholar has said it is very important for parents to give their children acceptable names, as the Prophet of Islam Muhammad (SAW) recommends. The Prophet said parents should choose good names, because bad names are prohibited. The Prophet is reported to have changed the names of some people […]
Malam Hassan Muhammad Lamin, a Kano-based Islamic scholar has said it is very important for parents to give their children acceptable names, as the Prophet of Islam Muhammad (SAW) recommends.
The Prophet said parents should choose good names, because bad names are prohibited. The Prophet is reported to have changed the names of some people during his life time.
Malam Lamin quoted an Islamic compendium which guides Muslims on family matters, most especially child upbringing. He stated that the book titled Mausu’atul Usra Tahat ri’ayatil Islam; Tarbiyatil aulad fil Islam and Fiqihul Wadhiha dealt with the subject extensively.
He said in the chapter of Tasmia (system of naming a child) it is narrated how the Prophet (saw) changed the name of the first born of Sayyadina Ali (ra) from Harb to Hassan. Similarly, when the second child was born to the family of Sayyadina Ali, the Prophet of Allah (PBUH) asked, “what did you name this child,” he answered “Harb,” and the Prophet (SAW) changed the name to Hussain.
“He (pbuh) changed the name Harb, which means war to good names Hassan and Hussain, in order to guide Muslims on how to give their children good names,” said Malam Lamin.
When this reporter asked him the issue of banning 50 names as authorised by the Saudi government, the Islamic scholar said he was certain that the Saudi Kingdom would not ban names singlehandedly, as scholars must be involved. Thus he said: “I believe that before the ban of the 50 names, the Saudi authority must have organised mu’utamar – conference for the religious scholars to iron out issues worthy of concern to the Muslim ummah.”
The forbidden names, as reported in Gulf News, are:
Malaak (angel)
Abdul Aati
Abdul Naser
Abdul Musleh
Nabi (prophet)
Nabiyya (female prophet)
Amir (prince)
Sumuw (highness)
Al Mamlaka (the kingdom)
Malika (queen)
Mamlaka (kingdom)
Tabarak (blessed)
Nardeen
Maya
Linda
Randa
Basmala (utterance of the name of God)
Taline
Aram
Nareej
Rital
Alice
Sandy
Rama (Hindu god)
Maline
Elaine
Inar
Maliktina
Lareen
Kibrial
Lauren
Binyamin (Arabic for Benjamin)
Naris
Yara
Sitav
Loland
Tilaj
Barrah
Abdul Nabi
Abdul Rasool
Jibreel (angel Gabriel)
Abdul Mu’een
Abrar
Iman
Bayan
Baseel
Wireelam
However, ccording to Arabnews, the Ministry of Interior had denied releasing any statement banning 50 names, which went viral on the social media. It said any name could be used as long as it abided by civil statute laws.
Mohammed Al-Jaser, Civil Affairs spokesman, said that certain names could not be registered if they did not adhere to Islamic law.
Names such as Abdul Rasool or Abdul Nabi (slave or worshipper of a prophet or messenger) and names with religious connotations, such as angel, are also forbidden.
Other names such as “Humair,” which resembles the Arabic word for donkey, are also deemed socially unacceptable.
Al-Jaser said that names must comply with the rules of the Arabic language and must not include common titles, such as mister or “Haj,” Arabic for a Muslim that has performed the pilgrimage.
The scholar emphasised the significance of good names in Islam and reminded Muslims that the hadith (sayings of the prophet) reported several instances in which the Prophet (SAW) changed the names of people whose meaning and attribute deviate from the tenet of Islamic teachings. Hence according to him, good names are highly desirable.
It is forbidden to use names that belong soley to God, such as al-Khaaliq (the Creator) and al-Quddoos (the Most Holy), or names which are not befitting for anyone other than God, such as Malik al-Mulook (King of Kings). It is also forbidden to use names that imply enslavement to any one or anything but God, such as ‘Abd al-‘Uzza (slave of al-Uzza – a pagan goddess), Abd al-Kabah (slave of the Kabah), Abd al-Daar (slave of the House).
It is unacceptable to use names that have bad or distasteful meaning, or which sound odd, or would cause others to mock a person, or cause him embarrassment. It is also better not to use names that are associated with sinners or tyrants. Some scholars also dislike naming children after angels or the names of chapters of the Quran.
Names have meanings and implied meanings and these meanings will have an effect on the child for good or for bad. Parents must take great care when choosing an appropriate name for their newborn child.
It is categorically stated that the names of surahs of the Qur’an should not be applied in naming a child, such names include: TaHa, Yaseen and other names of surahs.
This is the saying of Imam Malik (ra) – Ibnul- Qayyim also said: “The saying of the common people that Yaseen and TaHa are from the names of the Prophet (SAW) is not correct, there is no ‘Sahih’ Hadith about it or any ‘Hasan’ Hadith, nor anything ‘Mursal’ [having a missing link between the Tabiee and the Prophet (SAW)], nor any narration from any Companion, but rather they are letters like ‘Alif Lam Meem’, ‘Ha Meem’, ‘Alif Lam Raa’ and the like.”
It is abhored to give names ‘Yasar’ (Ease), ‘Rabah’ (Profit), ‘Najeeh’ (Successful), ‘Aflah’ Prosperous), ‘Ya’la’ (Elevated)’ and Barakah’ (Blessing) since the Messenger (SAW) forbade that with his saying:
“Do not call your boy Yasar, nor Rabah, nor Najeeh, nor Aflah, since you will say: Is he there?’ So it will be said: ‘No’. Indeed they are four, so do not attribute more to me.” (Reported by Muslim, Abu Dawud & At-Tirmidhee)
However, the forbiddance of Ya’a and Barakah occurs in another Hadith reported by Muslim. From these names which the Messenger (SAW) changed was:· ‘Aasiyah (Disobedient) – he changed her name to Jameelah (Beautiful and Good) (Reported by Muslim & Abu Dawud)·. He (SAW) also said to a man, “What is your name?” He replied: “Hazn (roughness). So he (SAW) said: “Rather you are Sahl (Smooth).” (Reported by Al-Bukhari & Abu Dawud)
Also changed were ‘Barrah (Pious Woman) to Zaynab (Reported by Muslim); · As-Surm (Separation) to Sa’eed (Al-Bukhari); · Asram (Cut Off) to Zur’ah (Sown Seed) (Reported by Abu Dawud);· Jaththamah (signifying Inactivity) to Husanah (Good and Beautiful) (Reported by al-Hakim); · Shihab (Flame and Fire) to Hisham (Reported by Al-Bukhari); · Harb (War) to Silm (Peace) (Reported by Abu Dawud); · Banuz-Zinyah (Sons of Fornication) to Banur-Rashdah (Sons of Lawful Marriage) (Reported by Abu Dawud).
The most important thing here is that good names are highly desirable in Islam. Having pondered over the rulings of Tasmia in Islam, the scholar quoted verse 11 from surah al-Hujurat:
“ O you who believe! Let not a group derides another. It may be that the latter are better than the former. Nor let women deride other women. It may be that the latter are better than the former. Neither defame one another, nor insult one another by nicknames [since] doing wrong after having faith is an evil practice [unbefitting you]. And whosoever does not repent [of committing such deeds], then they are indeed wrong-doers.”
Malam Lamin therefore advised Muslims to inquire about the true meaning of names before naming their new born babies. And to emphasize on meaning owing to which good names are established, the scholars said people should stop using bad names such as Mal’unatu (the cursed one), Ramziyya and Zinaru and the likes that are mostly found in Nigeria.
He parents should ponder over the prohibited names as authorized by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. As a matter of fact, Muslims must stop naming children according to their whims and caprices, as it is most desirable to have a thorough understanding of the origin and meaning of any name you want to use.