WHAT'S IN A NAME? - اسم

"What's in a name? That which we call a rose

By any other name would smell as sweet."

You know where this quote came from, it needs no introduction. This quote may be talking about the group a person belongs to like in this case, the Montagues and Capulets but I am talking about the names we choose for our children. To be more specific, the names we choose for our innocent Muslim children.    

 

A childhood friend of mine told me a funny (but serious and true) story. She's a year older than I am, a bright girl she is with a lovely family from the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia, Terengganu. There was a time when she followed her parents to their friend's house and was introduced to the kids, some of them were close to her age so she didn't feel bored while both parents were chatting away. She asked the daughter the whereabouts of her other siblings and she replied "Oh, Jambu went out with his friends". My friend was astonished and puzzled, she then asked again "You mean your brother went out with his friends? His name is Jambu?" The girl nodded with a smile while my friend hid her excitement about this story that she was going to tell me when she gets home. To those of you who don't know what jambu is, its guava. The boy's name literally means guava in the Malay language.

"His name is Jambu! Subhan Alllah, Never in my life have I heard of such name. Can you imagine the bullies in school teasing him? I feel so sorry for him." uttered this 12 year old doll eyed friend of mine. I could not help but to laugh at her story while trying to compress all my other feelings inside. "Can you imagine if someone's name was mempelam (mango)? That would have been extremely odd!" she continued. I burst out laughing and at this point was slightly in tears. My husky voiced friend smacked me so hard that I stopped laughing in an instant.   

I was only 11 years old when this incident happened and even as a child, I knew the importance of naming beautiful names with good meanings for one's child. I often questioned my parents about the origin of things, it was a habit practiced by both parents since young. "If you don't know something, then you need to ask. You will only know the answer by asking and reading" said my mother.

In today's time, the west have successfully conquered the minds of Muslims. It is sad that we don't seem to know how to appreciate the beauty of our religion and every single practice that comes with it. I see some Muslims naming their sons Noah, Joseph, Abraham, Moses and David instead of Nuh, Yusuf, Ibrahim, Musa and Daud. These names derived from the Arabic language, we as born Muslims should be proud to have the first hand access to these beautiful names of the Prophets of Allah. May Allah grant us knowledge that would benefit us in this world and the Hereafter, Ameen.      

What's in a name?

It is according to the Sunnah (the examples of the Prophet's life what he said, did, implemented, how he implemented), to change a bad name (whether it is an Arabic name or any other language) immediately, and it is permissible according to Sunnah to exchange a name for a better one.

According to Sheikh Muhammed Salih Al-Munajjid, "...if one's name is Abdul-Messiah, for example, or similar such names, then he is obligated to change it, as the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم had people with the names Abdul-Ka'bah and Abdul-Uzzah change their names upon accepting Islaam. If the original name does not comprise or imply anything forbidden in Islaam, then he or she is permitted to retain it (such as the name George, for example). As noted, though, it is preferable to change it to an Islamic name, as this also distinguishes him or her from the kuffaar."

While it is not haram to retain the name under the conditions listed above, the Muslim has a responsibility to adhere to the Sunnah of the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم , and is encouraged to choose "the best of names" and the best of names are the humblest, insha'Allah. In addition, the best of names we have on this side of life, will be what we are called by in Paradise, insha'Allah.

As for those who came to the faith of Islam, we should not cut the ties with our father and it is correct to retain the name of the father even in the Muslim's newly converted name. i.e. "Abu Ameenah Bilal Phillips". He chose (or was given, by another Muslim) the name "Bilal" after the well-known companion Bilal, used the name "Abu Ameenah" meaning father of his daughter Ameenah, and he retained his father's last name, "Philips". Women are not encouraged to change their last name to their new husband's last name upon marriage, in situations where her father's last name is known.

While it is halal and encouraged to have a humble name such as "Abdur Rahman" (servant/slave of the most Beneficent [Allah]), having the name "Al-Rahman" ("Al-" means "The") is not permissible because it is the same as the Name of Allah, and no-one should compare themselves to Allah سبحانه وتعالى

NAMES THAT ARE DISLIKED 

Abu Hurayrah reported that the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said : 
"The name most detested by Allah is 'Malik Al-Amlak' (Kings of Kings)." 

[Hadith - Bukhari (No.819), Muslim, Abu Dawud & Tirmidhi]    

CHANGING TO A BETTER NAME

Narrated by 'Aisha (radhi Allahu anha) :
The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم used to change a bad name.


[Hadith Al-Tirmidhi No.4774]

 

Narrated by Abu Hurayrah (radhi Allahu anhu) :
Zainab's original name was "Barrah" but it was said, "By that she is giving herself the prestige of piety." So the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم changed her name to Zainab. 

[Hadith  Sahih Al-Bukhari 8.12]

NAMING AFTER A PROPHET 

Narrated by Abu Musa (radhi Allahu anhu) :
 I got a son and I took him to the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم who named him Ibrahim and put in his mouth the juice of a date fruit (which be himself had chewed and invoked for Allah's blessing upon him, and then he gave it back to me. He was the eldest son of Abu Musa.

[Hadith Sahih Al-Bukhari 8.218]


Narrated by Abu Wahb al-Jushami (radhi Allahu anhu) :

The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said, "Call yourselves by the names of the Prophets. The names dearest to Allah are Abdullah and Abdur Rahman. The truest are Harith and Hammam and the worst are Harb and Murrah.

[Hadith Abu Dawood]



May Allah grant us the correct understanding of the Deen, Ameen.