Naming guidelines

Importance of a good name

Giving children good Islamic names is an important right of the child; the Prophet ﷺ encouraged it and changed many ugly names (e.g. Aasiya to Jameela), so meaningless or English-imitating names should be avoided.

Allowed: Jameela

Not allowed: Aasiya

Angels' names

Naming children after angels is not right: the hadith "name after the prophets, not the angels" (Bukhari, Tarikh). Giving girls angel names (Malaika, Malak) is closer to haram since it resembles the pagan claim that angels are Allah's daughters.

Not allowed: Mikail, Jibril, Israfil, Malaika, Malak

Angels' names (girls)

For a girl the name Malaika is not correct and should be avoided; scholars state naming women after angels is apparently forbidden.

Not allowed: Malaika, Malak, Malika (as angel)

Names of other religions

Names specific to non-Muslims or a sign of their religion are not right for Muslims (imitation hadith); names shared with Muslims are fine. Kiara was asked about.

Not allowed: Kiara

Hindu-style names

Sonia (Hindi, "wise") is permissible by meaning, but because it is a Hindu-type name a better Islamic name (Aisha, Humaira, Maimuna, Hajra, Maryam) is preferred.

Allowed: Aisha, Humaira, Maimuna, Atika, Umaima, Juwairiyah, Mariya, Hajra, Maryam

Not allowed: Sonia

Non-Arabic/English names

A name from another language with a good meaning is permissible (e.g. Aliza/Eliza, Nazalia, Alma, Ayan), though names of Sahabiyat are more blessed. A name not in Quran, hadith or Muslim use is disputed; better to avoid (Hindiyya).

Allowed: Aliza, Nazalia, Alma, Ayan, Meerab

Names of Allah used alone

Allah's proper name and attributes exclusive to Him (ar-Razzaq, ar-Rahman) require "Abd" before them; shared attributes (Rasheed, Raheem, Raoof) may be used alone, though adding Abd is better (Durr al-Mukhtar). Shortening names when calling is a reason to prefer other names today.

Allowed: Rasheed, Raheem, Raoof, Ali, Abdur Razzaq, Abdur Rahman

Not allowed: Rahman, Razzaq

Subhan

Subhan is permissible in itself, but since it denotes Allah's freedom from every defect it is better to choose Sahban, Safwan or Salman instead.

Allowed: Sahban, Safwan, Salman

Not allowed: Subhan

Name of Muhammad

Naming a child Muhammad is not only permissible but commendable (Muslim: "name after me but do not take my kunya"); objecting to it is wrong. The name Muhammad alone is fine and he may be called Muhammad.

Allowed: Muhammad, Muhammad Haider, Muhammad Hani

Kunya Abul Qasim

The Prophet ﷺ said "name with my name but do not take my kunya", quoted in the fatwa on naming Muhammad.

Not allowed: Abul Qasim (kunya)

When to name / aqiqah

Recommended to name on the seventh day or right after birth with a name of servitude (Abd-), a prophet's/righteous person's name, or at least a sound-meaning name; choosing by letters of birth date has no basis.

Abjad / birth-date names

Calculating a name from day, date or time of birth is not required in Shariah; choose a name with a correct meaning, preferably of prophets, Sahaba or saints.

Picking a name at random from the Quran

Searching the Quran for a word to use as a name has no basis in Shariah; the name should simply have a correct meaning (e.g. Fatima, Aisha, Bareera, Amatullah, Amina, Habiba, Hafsa, Zainab).

Allowed: Fatima, Aisha, Bareera, Amatullah, Amina, Habiba, Hafsa, Zainab

Changing a name

Illness has no link to the name; a good name need not be changed for that, though changing it is not sinful.

Sahaba names

Names of Sahaba and Sahabiyat are more blessed and are repeatedly recommended over new or merely-permissible names (e.g. Hassan, Juwairiyah, Aksam, Naufal, Hani; Yusha a prophet; Ahnaf, Mazin, Ramla, Jumana Sahaba).

Allowed: Yusha, Ahnaf, Mazin, Ramla, Jumana, Hassan, Juwairiyah, Naufal, Aksam, Hani, Safwan

Abd + other than Allah (Abdun Nabi, Ghulam Rasool)

Abdur Raees ("servant of the chief") was answered as correct in meaning, but Muhammad Raees or Raees Ahmad is better.

Allowed: Muhammad Raees, Raees Ahmad

Verbal nouns / non-names

Words that are verbal nouns rather than names (Imara, Umara) are permissible but better replaced with names of Sahabiyat. Names likely to be mispronounced or distorted (Muhammad Ma'had) are better avoided.

Allowed: Aisha, Fatima, Ruqayya, Zainab, Khadija, Asiya, Amina, Maryam, Umm Kulsum, Maimuna

Not allowed: Imara, Muhammad Ma'had

Names with no known meaning

New girls' names were checked: most (Kanwal, Mehak, Khushbu, Arzoo, Neha, Nirmal, Anaya, Anabia, Anam, Ramin, Maheen, Meerab) are fine by meaning, but Meeral has no meaning in reliable dictionaries; better to pick names of Sahabiyat.

Allowed: Meerab, Kanwal, Mehak, Khushbu, Arzoo, Neha, Nirmal, Anaya, Anabia, Anam, Ramin, Maheen

Not allowed: Meeral

Caste/surname for converts

A convert remains of his original family/tribe; on documents he should write his original caste rather than "Sheikh".

Abd + other than Allah (Abdun Nabi, Ghulam Rasool)

Naming someone "Abd Muhammad" / Abdun Nabi is prohibited because it may suggest shirk (citing Shami: "not Abd so-and-so"). This contrasts with the Barelvi (Dawat-e-Islami) view that Abdun Nabi and Abdul Mustafa are permissible.

Not allowed: Abd Muhammad, Abdun Nabi

Names of Allah used alone

Attribute names shared with creation (Hameed, Qadeer, Ali, Kabeer, Rasheed, Badee) may be used alone, though adding Abd is better (Abdul Qadeer, Abdul Hameed).

Allowed: Hameed, Qadeer, Abdul Qadeer, Abdul Hameed

Names of Allah exclusive to Him (Rahman)

Names exclusive to Allah such as Rahman and Raheem must be used with Abd (Abdur Rahman, Abdur Raheem); Rahman alone, even as a surname, is not right. A genitive like "Areez-ur-Rahman" is fine; Safiya Rahman should become Safiya or similar.

Allowed: Abdur Rahman, Abdur Raheem, Areez-ur-Rahman

Not allowed: Rahman, Raheem (alone)

Basit / Mateen without Abd

Basit is a beautiful name of Allah so Abd should be added (Abdul Basit). Mateen is also a divine attribute, but because the word has other uses it may be used without Abd (Mateen Ahmad), though Abdul Mateen is preferred.

Allowed: Abdul Basit, Abdul Mateen, Mateen Ahmad

Not allowed: Basit Mohammad

Subhan

It is not right to name a child Subhan; choose another name. (Binoria says it is permissible but better avoided.)

Not allowed: Subhan

Nafi (divine attribute)

Nafi (beneficial) is a name of Allah; using it alone is right, but Abdun Nafi is better.

Allowed: Nafi, Abdun Nafi

Angels' names

Mikail and Jibrail may be given as names, but names like Abdullah, Abdur Rahman, Abdul Qadir, Saad, Saeed or Abu Ubaidah are better. (Binoria Karachi, by contrast, says angels' names should not be given.)

Allowed: Mikail, Jibrail

Non-Arabic/English names

Names like Michelle and Suzanne come from other languages and resemble non-Muslim names; they are not Islamic and imitating non-Muslims is not right. Names of prophets and Sahaba are better.

Not allowed: Michelle, Suzanne

Persian / new names

Purely Persian or newly coined names without Islamic origin are discouraged: Muhammad Shehzar, Arshaan, Arhaan, Arhaam, Arham, Suhit, Tahaan, Aryan and Angel were all called not right; Raihan, Safwan, Affan, Inam, Zeeshan, Ikram suggested instead.

Allowed: Raihan, Safwan, Affan, Inam, Zeeshan, Ikram

Not allowed: Arshaan, Arhaan, Arhaam, Arham, Muhammad Shehzar, Aryan, Angel

Prophets' names

Recommended: names joining Abd with a name of Allah (Abdullah, Abdur Rahman, Abdus Sami) or names of prophets and Companions (Muhammad, Musa, Isa, Umar, Khalid, Usman); Al-Yasa as a prophet's name is good.

Allowed: Abdullah, Abdur Rahman, Abdur Raheem, Abdus Sami, Muhammad, Musa, Isa, Umar, Khalid, Usman, Al-Yasa

Not allowed: Ashaz, Shaz

Sahaba names

Naming after a Sahabi (e.g. Miqdad) is good; for girls choose names of the Prophet's ﷺ wives and daughters (Umm Habiba, Kulsum, Khadija, Juwairiyah, Fatima, Aisha, Zainab, Mariya, Salma).

Allowed: Miqdad, Umm Habiba, Kulsum, Khadija, Juwairiyah, Fatima, Aisha, Zainab, Mariya, Salma

Bad meanings

A name with a bad meaning should be changed: Muntazir Nabi was ruled not right; Rasel and Munaf (an idol's name) should be changed to names of prophets/Sahaba. Ifrah, Illiyeen and Laiya should not be kept; Tahreem is not good for a girl.

Allowed: Muntazir, Muhammad Muntazir

Not allowed: Muntazir Nabi, Munaf, Ifrah, Illiyeen, Laiya, Tahreem

Idol names

Munaf has a good dictionary meaning but was the name of a pre-Islamic idol, so it should be changed to a prophet's or Companion's name.

Not allowed: Munaf

Changing a name

One may change one's name after adulthood (with or without parents' consent), especially if the meaning is not good; aqiqah need not be repeated after renaming.

Allowed: Musa, Isa, Dawood, Muhammad, Abu Bakr, Umar, Usman, Ali, Huzaifa

When to name / aqiqah

It is sunnah/mustahab to name the child on the seventh day with the aqiqah (Abu Dawud); there is no required "azaan name" at birth. Aqiqah itself is mustahab, not obligatory.

Muqattaat (Taha, Yaseen)

Fazil Ahmed Taha was answered as correct; the only advice was that it is too long and Fazil or Fazil Ahmed alone would be better. (Contrast: Dawat-e-Islami says Taha/Yaseen should not be used.)

Allowed: Taha, Fazil Ahmed Taha

Muqattaat (Taha, Yaseen)

Yaseen and Taha are among the names of the Prophet ﷺ (al-Khasa'is al-Kubra); naming a child with them is permissible. Disliking them is only Imam Malik's view, not the majority's.

Allowed: Yaseen, Taha

Name of Muhammad

Naming a son Muhammad or Ahmad is right; Mustafa and Syed Muhammad Mustafa are correct; Ali alone is also good.

Allowed: Muhammad, Ahmad, Mustafa, Ali

Changing a child's name without the father's consent

The mother's side should not change the name the father gave; a child may carry two names (as the Prophet was called Muhammad and Ahmad) or a joined name, and it is not worth a dispute.

Allowed: Arham, Labib, Arham Labib

Abbreviating Muhammad (Mohd, Md)

Write Muhammad in full, with U rather than O, and do not shorten it to Mohd or Md.

Allowed: Muhammad

Not allowed: Mohd, Md

Names implying pride

A name that reflects praise of oneself or pride (e.g. Zishan, "magnificent") is not a good choice; humble good names are better.

Allowed: Burhan, Arman, Farman

Not allowed: Zishanul Haq, Zishan

Masculine form used for a girl

A girl should not carry the masculine form of a word (Sabreen); the feminine form (Sabra) should be used. Names affect their bearers, so bad names should be changed.

Allowed: Sabra

Not allowed: Sabreen

Muhammad as a first name

Muhammad may stand alone or be joined with a second name; if it is part of the name it should be written with it. Naming after the Prophet is proven by hadith ("name after my name, but do not take my kunya"). Names containing Allah or Muhammad must not be shortened.

Allowed: Muhammad, Muhammad Umar Farooque, Muhammad Abu Bakar

Not allowed: Rahman (for Abdur Rahman)

Names exclusive to Allah used alone

Names exclusive to Allah, such as Rahman and Rahim, should be given with Abd (Abdur Rahman, Abdur Rahim); keeping only Rahman or Rahim is not right.

Allowed: Abdur Rahman, Abdur Rahim

Not allowed: Rahman, Rahim

Divine attributes without Abd

Attributive divine names found in the Quran (Hameed, Qadeer, Ali, Kabir, Rashid) may be used alone, but adding Abd is better. Abd may not be joined to anyone other than Allah (Abd Muhammad, Abdun Nabi).

Allowed: Hameed, Qadeer, Abdul Hameed, Abdul Qadeer

Not allowed: Abd Muhammad, Abdun Nabi

Abd + a word that is not a divine name

Abd may only be prefixed to a proper or attributive name of Allah. Subhan is neither, so Abdus Subhan is not right; Muhammad Subhan or Subhan Ahmad are fine.

Allowed: Muhammad Subhan, Subhan Ahmad

Not allowed: Abdus Subhan

Shared divine attributes + Allah (Rehmatullah etc.)

Attributes Allah shares with people may be used, so Rehmatullah, Qudratullah, Hikmatullah and Rahimullah are correct; but other names are better nowadays because people call such names carelessly, which disrespects them (al-Durr al-Mukhtar).

Allowed: Rehmatullah, Qudratullah, Hikmatullah, Rahimullah

Religious terms as names

A word that has become a religious term, such as Azan, is not proper as a child's name.

Not allowed: Azaan

Divine names alone (Nafi, Hadi)

Names that are among the names of Allah (Nafi', Hadi) should not be given alone; with Abd (Abdun Nafi, Abdul Hadi) they are fine.

Allowed: Abdun Nafi, Abdul Hadi

Not allowed: Nafi, Hadi

Changing a woman's name after marriage

There is no Islamic basis for changing a bride's surname from her father's to her husband's as a fashion; she keeps her name. Changing a name is right only to fix a bad meaning.

Calling Abd-names by the divine part only

Hannan is a beautiful name of Allah (merciful, kind). Abdul Hannan is right, but he should be called by the full name, not just Hannan.

Allowed: Abdul Hannan

Not allowed: Hannan (as a call name)

New Muslims and their names

The Prophet changed improper names of new Muslims. A name that represents another religion or culture should be changed to an Islamic one, as names are a major identity (Quran 2:208); but the names of parents and family must not be changed.

Names close to idol names

Munaf (height) is correct by dictionary, but Manaf was a pre-Islamic idol, so changing it is better.

Not allowed: Manaf, Munaf

Names with a bad religious meaning

Zunairah was explained as a woman wearing the zunnar (girdle of non-Muslims) and declared not correct per Shariah; it should be changed.

Not allowed: Zunairah

Superstitions about names

The belief that a girl named Maryam will face troubles is baseless; Maryam is a very good, blessed name.

Allowed: Maryam

Names and bad luck

It is wrong to believe that a name causes trouble in life; a correct name need not be changed for luck, though one may change it for one's own satisfaction.

Allowed: Yasmeen Taj

Shared divine names used alone (Azeem)

Names Allah shares with people, such as Azeem, Ali and Rashid, may be used alone, since they mean something different for people; but another name is better nowadays because people shorten names when calling (al-Durr al-Mukhtar, citing al-Sirajiyyah).

Allowed: Azeem, Abdul Azeem, Ali, Rashid

Wife calling her husband by a sibling title

A wife should avoid calling her husband by a term meaning "big brother" (Lai).

Converts keeping their original name

A convert should choose an Islamic name (e.g. Talha, Zubair) and be known by it; for official papers the old surname may be kept after the new name.

Allowed: Talha, Zubair

Rahman alone

Rahman is a name of Allah; a person must not be named or called only Rahman, it must be prefixed with Abd (Abdur Rahman).

Allowed: Abdur Rahman

Not allowed: Rahman

Ali with prefixes (Ghulam)

Ali may stand alone or be combined (Muhammad Ali, Ahmad Ali, Ali Akbar, Ali Asghar), but prefixing Ghulam before Ali is not right.

Allowed: Ali, Muhammad Ali, Ahmad Ali, Ali Akbar, Ali Asghar

Not allowed: Ghulam Ali

Adding the father's name to children's names

The father's name may be attached to the children's names (e.g. Faaris Aijaz); there is no harm in Shariah.

Names of noble bearers

For names borne by the Prophet's family or great Sahaba (Umamah, Usman), the bearer is enough for the blessing and honour of the name; the literal meaning matters little.

Allowed: Umamah, Usman

Regional names without meaning

Names whose meaning cannot be found (Ayaan, Azlaan) are not good for boys; per hadith, names of prophets, Sahaba, Sahabiyat and pious elders should be kept.

Not allowed: Ayaan, Azlaan

Shared divine names without Abd (Majeed)

Majeed used alone in a name means noble and pious and is correct; only with Abd (Abdul Majeed) does it refer to the divine name.

Allowed: Mohammed Habeebuddin Majeed, Abdul Majeed

Replacing the father's name (nikah, cards)

An uncle who raised a girl may not have his name printed in place of her real father's name; the demand is unlawful and should be stopped.

Choosing names with good meaning and context

People will be called by their own and their fathers' names on the Day of Judgement (Abu Dawud, Mishkat p.408), so names of Sahabiyat, pious women, or names with good meaning should be chosen; names affect children. Ayat is not right for a girl.

Not allowed: Ayat

Calling someone by a divine name alone (Muhaimin)

A person named Ahmad al-Muhaimin should not be called only Muhaimin; call him Abdul Muhaimin or by his real name.

Allowed: Abdul Muhaimin

Not allowed: Muhaimin

Numerology in naming

Deoband does not recognise choosing names by numerology or birth time; it suggests good Sahabiyat names instead.

Allowed: Maimunah, Zainab, Umm Aiman, Umm Habibah

Adding Haji / Al-Haaj to one's name

Writing oneself "Haji" is not good, since showing off destroys deeds; but showing off is a matter of the heart, so others who use it must not be accused; advise them privately and gently.

Not allowed: Haji (self-title)

Non-Muslim names

Names from other languages that resemble non-Muslims' names (Michelle, Suzzane) are not Islamic; imitating non-Muslims is not right, and names of prophets and Sahaba are better.

Not allowed: Michelle, Suzzane

Abd + non-divine word

Abd (slave) may be joined only to Allah or one of His names (Abdullah, Abdur Rahman, Abdur Rahim, Abdul Qadir, Abdud Daaem); joining it to anything else (Abdud Danish) is not right and should be changed.

Allowed: Abdullah, Abdur Rahman, Abdur Rahim, Abdul Qadir, Abdud Daaem

Not allowed: Abdul Danish

Angels' names for girls (Malaika)

Malaika is the common noun for angels, not any angel's name; naming a daughter Malaika is not unlawful but not better. Angel names like Mikail and Jibrail may be used for boys.

Allowed: Mikail, Jibrail

Not allowed: Malaika

Father's name after the child's name

The father's name may be kept after the child's name (e.g. Ammara Imran, Talha Imran).

Allowed: Ammara Imran, Talha Imran

Being named Muhammad and Paradise

No narration was found that being named Muhammad guarantees Paradise; adding Muhammad or Ahmad to a name is a cause of blessing, but entering Paradise requires following the Shariah.

Allowed: Muhammad, Ahmad

Stepchildren and the father's name

In official documents a stepchild's real (biological) father must be written as the father, not the stepfather.

Divine names without Abd (Hadi, Samad)

Hadi is one of the 99 names, so Abdul Hadi is better; Samad alone is not correct and should be Abdus Samad.

Allowed: Abdul Hadi, Abdus Samad

Not allowed: Samad

Prefixing Muhammad for blessing

Prefixing Muhammad to a name (Muhammad Imdadullah) is for blessing and is not a mismatch; the belief that intending the name Muhammad brings a son has no basis in the Quran or hadith.

Allowed: Muhammad Imdadullah

Converts changing their name

Changing the name is not a condition of becoming Muslim, but since names influence life it is better to change it.

Wife adding her husband's name

A married woman is not required by the Shariah to add her husband's name after her own.

Divine attributes alone vs with Abd (Nafe)

Nafe is one of the beautiful names of Allah; keeping it alone is right, but Abdun Nafe is a better name.

Allowed: Nafe, Abdun Nafe

Adopted child and the father's name in documents

For a passport or legal paperwork an adopted child may carry the adoptive parents' names, but at nikah and similar occasions the real names must be written.

Muhammad or Ahmad as a second name

Ahmad or Muhammad may come after the first name (Ayaan Ahmad, Ayaan Muhammad), and any of the Prophet's names may be chosen.

Allowed: Ayaan Ahmad, Ayaan Muhammad

Choosing names with meaning

Names should be those of prophets, Sahaba and Sahabiyat, or words with good meaning, since names have effects; a word with no meaning (Anam) is not a good choice.

Not allowed: Anam

Changing name on conversion

A convert whose name has no meaning against Islamic belief need not change it; if the name is improper or has a bad meaning, it is better to take a good Islamic name, since people are called by their names on the Day of Judgement (Ahmad, Abu Dawud; Mishkat p.408).

Who names the child

If husband and wife disagree, the father has the right to name the child, since the child belongs to him and he is responsible for its upkeep.

Naming a son Muhammad

Naming a child Muhammad is allowed, even desirable; it is no insult to the Prophet if the person is scolded, but the name should not be distorted when calling, and a pet name may be used day to day.

Allowed: Muhammad

Exclusive divine name without Abd (Basit)

Basit is one of the beautiful names of Allah, so Abd must be added (Abdul Basit); change documents if easy, otherwise let people call him Abdul Basit.

Allowed: Abdul Basit

Not allowed: Basit Mohammad

Wetting the baby's head at a naming

Washing a baby's head at a naming ceremony has no significance; if it resembles Christian baptism it must be given up.

Names of Sahaba, Tabi'een and prophets

A name with a good meaning (Rafi) is Islamic even if non-Muslims also use it, but naming after Sahaba, Tabi'een or prophets is far better.

Allowed: Rafi

Choosing names and knowing their meaning

Choose names of prophets, Sahaba, Sahabiyat and pious people, whose blessing lies in the bearer rather than the literal meaning; but the meaning of uncommon names must be checked so that it is not wrong or unfit.

Allowed: Kulsum, Zainab, Umm Aiman, Hafsah, Asiya

Arabic names preferred

Muslims should prefer Arabic names, and names of prophets and Sahaba are far better.

Sources of good names

Choose names of prophets, Sahaba, Tabi'een and pious people, or Abd + a divine name; for girls, the Prophet's wives and daughters and pious women. The blessing of the bearer matters more than the literal meaning.

Allowed: Kulsum, Umm Habibah, Fariha, Zainab, Atikah, Yahya, Idrees, Khalid, Luqman, Ashraf Ali

Masculine-looking first part of a girl's name

The first part of a name is the main one; a word without a feminine sign (Mash'al) should not lead a girl's name, so Fatimah alone or Fatima Mash'al is better than Mishael Fatimah.

Allowed: Fatimah, Fatima Mash'al

Names meaning "decorated"

Names meaning "decorated" or "beaming" (Muzayyan, Mazeen) are lawful; Muzayyan is better as it was borne by the father of a Badri Sahabi; Abdullah and Abdur Rahman are the most beloved names to Allah.

Allowed: Muzayyan, Mazeen, Abdullah, Abdur Rahman

Seventh-day naming and aqiqah

It is mustahab on the seventh day to name the child, shave its head and give silver or gold equal to the hair's weight in charity, and to do aqiqah (two goats for a boy, one for a girl).

Aqiqah timing

Aqiqah is mustahab, not obligatory: on the seventh day, else the fourteenth or twenty-first, and after that whenever possible, keeping to the seventh-day count.

"Azan name" at birth

There is no required "azan name" given right after azan in the baby's ear; it is mustahab to name the baby on the seventh day with the aqiqah (Abu Dawud).

Not allowed: Azaan

Names of unknown meaning

No Shariah ruling can be given on a word whose language and meaning are unknown (Eliza); names with bad meaning (Arsal) should not be kept.

Not allowed: Arsal

Names of Sahaba and elders: meaning not required

For names of Sahaba, Sahabiyat and elders, it is enough that a blessed person bore the name; the literal meaning matters less.

Allowed: Abdur Rahman, Halima Sadiya, Hussain

Hameed and other divine names after a non-Abd word

Shahul Hameed should be changed: read as Arabic it means "the goat of al-Hameed", and read as Persian it gives a person the divine name al-Hameed; but calling it kufr or shirk is wrong. Abdul Hameed or another name is advised.

Allowed: Abdul Hameed

Not allowed: Shahul Hameed

Wife adding her husband's name

There is no ruling that a woman must replace her father's name with her husband's after marriage; she may keep her name unchanged, and adding her husband's name is also no harm.

Biblical names shared with other faiths (Sarah)

Sarah is a good name, the name of Prophet Ibrahim's wife; it is wrong to consider it a Christian name.

Allowed: Sarah

Muhammad added to a girl's name

Muhammad should be added to male names; a girl may keep a single name or add a second girl's name (Sameeha Zahra).

Allowed: Sameeha, Sameeha Zahra

Not allowed: Sameeha Mohammed

Masculine word used for a girl (Aqsa)

Aqsa (farther) is a masculine form, so it should not be given to a daughter; choose another meaningful name.

Not allowed: Aqsa

Promises to name a son Muhammad

There is no kaffarah if the family chooses another name; propose Muhammad, and if they choose something else, add Muhammad before it.

Allowed: Muhammad

Exclusive divine name Ahad

Ahad should be given as Abdul Ahad, not alone or as Mohammad Ahad.

Allowed: Abdul Ahad

Not allowed: Ahad, Mohammad Ahad

King of kings (Shahenshah, Malik al-Amlak)

The hadith in Bukhari and Muslim calls "king of kings" the vilest name before Allah, so Shahenshah must be changed; tell people of the change and amend the passport if possible (Mishkat p.407).

Allowed: Abdullah, Abdur Rahman, Abdul Khalique, Abdul Haque, Muhammad Musab, Muhammad Suhaib, Muhammad Zaid, Muhammad Hozaifa, Rasheed Ahmad, Muhammad Usman, Muhammad Affan, Muhammad Salman

Not allowed: Shahenshah

Converts with names of another religion

People are called by their own and their fathers' names on the Day of Resurrection, so a convert with a Hindu name (Shubham) should change it to a good Islamic name.

Not allowed: Shubham

Renaming a child after aqiqah

A child's name may be changed later; the aqiqah need not be repeated, and no hadith requiring it was found.

Names taken from films

Deoband rebukes taking an unknown name from a film (Zohan) and urges naming after prophets, Sahaba, saints or pious people instead.

Not allowed: Zohan

al-Rasheed as a divine name

al-Rasheed is one of the 99 beautiful names of Allah.

Allowed: Abdur Rasheed

Seventh-day naming and aqiqah

It is sunnah to name the child and do the aqiqah on the seventh day, feeding relatives, friends and the poor.

Shared divine attribute without Abd (Mateen)

Mateen is an attribute of Allah, so Abdul Mateen is the proper form; but since the word has a common meaning used for people too, it may be used without Abd (Mateen Ahmad, Mohammad Mateen).

Allowed: Abdul Mateen, Mateen Ahmad

Superstition and numerology about names

Beliefs that a name (e.g. Eisa) brings a hard life, or that letters must match the birth time, are baseless; Muhammad Eisa Ahmad is alright, though adding only one of Muhammad or Ahmad is better.

Allowed: Muhammad Eisa Ahmad

Abbreviating Muhammad (MD)

Write the full name, Muhammad Aarif, rather than MD Arif.

Allowed: Muhammad Aarif

Not allowed: MD Arif

Aqiqah meat and hair-weight charity

Slaughter two goats for a boy; divide the meat in thirds (poor, relatives, household) like qurbani meat; after shaving the head apply saffron and give silver equal to the hair's weight in charity.

Hussain as a Shia name

Hussain (diminutive of Hasan) is a good name and not a mark of Shias; Sunni scholars have always used it.

Allowed: Hussain, Hussain Ahmed

Names not used by Allah, the Prophet or Muslims

A word not used as a name by Allah, the Prophet or Muslims (Aryan) is better not given (Fatawa Alamgiri 5/362).

Allowed: Usman, Affan, Salman, Sufiyan

Not allowed: Aryan

Adding Muhammad or Ahmad

Yusuf and Muhammad Yusuf are both alright, but Muhammad or Ahmad adds beauty, so Muhammad Yusuf is better.

Allowed: Muhammad Yusuf, Yusuf

Dividing aqiqah meat

Aqiqah is valid even if the meat is not divided in thirds; division is mustahab, and keeping all of it at home does not invalidate it, though it is not better.

Converts keeping a non-Arabic name

A convert whose name has no bad meaning may keep it, but taking a good Islamic name is better; the old name may stay on papers while people use the new one.

Allowed: Abdullah, Abdur Rahman, Abu Bakar, Umar, Usman, Ali, Jafar

Writing someone else as the father for benefits

Writing a brother-in-law as a girl's father to get company benefits is not lawful even with the real father's consent; it is lying and taking money unlawfully.

Very long names

Multi-part names with good meanings are correct, though Deoband notes they are too long.

Abstract Quranic words as names (Emaan, Dua, Fajr)

Words such as Emaan have good meaning but are not suitable as personal names; names of the Prophet's wives and Sahabiyat carry virtue and blessing.

Allowed: Fatimah, Ayesha, Zainab, Hafsah, Kulsum, Maria

Not allowed: Emaan

Names tied to other religious sects (Samrah)

Samrah recalls the Samaritans, a Jewish sect that denied prophets after Musa; the word is not in the Quran and no Sahabiyah of that name was found, so another name is better (Ibn Hajar, Tabsir al-Muntabih).

Not allowed: Samrah

Non-Arabic coined names

Words that are not Arabic and were not used as names in the era of the Prophet and the Sahaba (Sharhaan, Fehmaan) are not suitable; Zakwan and Abdan are best.

Allowed: Zakwan, Abdan, Aliyan

Not allowed: Sharhaan, Fehmaan

Abd + a word that is not a divine name (Kashif)

Kashif is not one of the Asma-e-Husna, so Abdul Kashif is not correct; Abdul Basit is better.

Allowed: Abdul Basit

Not allowed: Abdul Kashif

Adults changing their name

Changing one's name is lawful, but a good name given by parents (Unais) and already used in official records is better not changed.

Allowed: Unais, Yasir

Abd + non-divine word (Mohsin) vs divine attributes

Mohsin is not a divine name, so Abdul Mohsin should not be used (Muhammad Mohsin instead); al-Muqeet, al-Mughni and al-Bari are divine attributes, so Abdul Muqeet, Abdul Mughni and Abdul Bari are correct.

Allowed: Muhammad Mohsin, Abdul Muqeet, Abdul Mughni, Abdul Bari

Not allowed: Abdul Mohsin

Changing a name with poor meaning

A name without good meaning (Rasel) may be kept, but changing it is allowed, and names of prophets and Sahaba are better.

Allowed: Musa, Isa, Dawood, Muhammad, Abu Bakr, Umar, Usman, Ali, Huzaifah

Who names the child in a joint family

Naming is the parents' right by mutual consent, but grandparents may give their opinion, and taking it into account is no harm.

Two given names together

A name joining two names (Shah Ibrahim Affan) is correct and need not be changed.

Allowed: Shah Ibrahim Affan

Birth date and naming

What matters in Islam is a suitable meaning; choosing names by the date or month of birth is the practice of others.

Allowed: Khalilullah, Kalimullah

Names of pre-Islamic idols (Munaf)

Munaf has a good dictionary meaning but was the name of an idol worshipped before Islam, so it should be changed to the name of a prophet or Companion.

Not allowed: Munaf

Aqiqah: shaving before or after slaughter

Shaving the head on the day of aqiqah is mustahab; it may be done before or after slaughtering, as convenient.

Muhammad + name preferred

Ali Hamdaan and Muhammad Hamdan are both good, but Muhammad Hamdan is far better.

Allowed: Muhammad Hamdan, Ali Hamdaan

Azan, tahnik, naming and aqiqah for a premature baby

Even for a weak or incubated baby, azan and iqamah should be said at birth (near the incubator, with the doctor's permission), or as soon as possible if missed; then tahnik with dates chewed by a pious person, a good name, and aqiqah on the 7th, 14th or 21st day (Fatawa Mahmoodia 5:456; Ahsanul Fatawa 2:276).

Quranic shared names with al- (al-Kabir, al-Rashid)

Naming with a word found in the Quran that is also used for Allah, such as Ali, Kabir, Rashid or Badi, is permissible, apparently even with al- (Radd al-Muhtar 2:417, citing al-Tatarkhaniyyah and al-Sirajiyyah).

Allowed: Muhammad Kabeer

Prophet's name with or without Muhammad

Muhammad Ibrahim is correct, and adding the family surname is no harm.

Allowed: Muhammad Ibrahim

Changing a child's name because of bad behaviour

For a child picking up bad habits, Deoband advised patient, loving guidance and prayer (reciting Bismillah seven times over food and drink) rather than focusing on renaming.

Rahman as a girl's second name

Rahman is a name exclusive to Allah, so it should not be used without Abd or Amat; Safiya alone or Safiya Amatur Rahman is right, and Safiya Rahman is allowable only if read as a genitive ("sincere friend of al-Rahman") (Fatawa Usmani 1/50).

Allowed: Safiya, Safiya Amatur Rahman

Angel names for boys

Jibreel may be used as a boy's name, though putting Mohammad first is better.

Allowed: Jibreel Mohammad, Mohammad Jibreel

Repentance for an improper name

If an improper name was given, change it and resolve not to repeat it; ongoing repentance for having carried it is not required.

Allowed: Taiba, Kausar, Shahnaz, Aqib, Qurra, Dihya

Not allowed: Ifrah, Illiyen, Laiya

Correct pronunciation of a Sahabi's name

A child named after Mus'ab ibn Umair should be registered as Musab; the form without the ain (Misab) may not be used as a name.

Allowed: Musab

Not allowed: Misab

Divine name Hadi after Muhammad

If Hadi is used, prefix it with Abd (Abdul Hadi) or use Muhammad al-Hadi; the child may still be called Muhammad.

Allowed: Abdul Hadi, Muhammad al-Hadi

Not allowed: Muhammad Hadi

Rahman in a compound name

Since Rahman is a divine name, Ariz Rahman should be written Areezur Rahman (with the article, as a genitive).

Allowed: Areezur Rahman

Not allowed: Ariz Rahman

Importance of a good name

A good name is the father's first gift and a right of the child; people will be called by their own and their fathers' names on the Day of Judgement, so names should be good (Abu Dawud 4948). A name affects its bearer.

Naming a miscarried / stillborn child

Even a miscarried or stillborn child should be named; use a boy's name for a boy, a girl's for a girl, and a unisex name if the sex is unknown (Bahar-e-Shariat).

Allowed: Rahat, Nusrat, Tasleem

When to name / aqiqah

Best to perform aqiqah and give the name on the seventh day; naming earlier (even at birth) is also permissible.

Who names the child

Naming is primarily the father's responsibility; relatives may suggest names if the father agrees. Getting a name from pious elders/scholars is a source of blessing.

What a good name is

A good name should have a meaning (not meaningless like Budhwa, Talwa), should not express pride (Badshah, Shahanshah) and should not have a bad meaning (Aasi). Best are names of prophets, Sahaba and Ahl al-Bayt.

Allowed: Ibrahim, Ismail, Usman, Ali, Hasan, Husain, Asiya, Fatima, Aisha

Not allowed: Budhwa, Talwa, Badshah, Shahanshah, Aasi

Meaningless / unknown names

A name found neither in the Quran, hadith nor in use among Muslims is disputed among scholars; better not to use it. Inventing unheard names to win praise may stem from love of fame. Consult a mufti before finalising a name.

Abd + Names of Allah (Abdullah, Abdur Rahman)

Abdullah and Abdur Rahman are the names most beloved to Allah (Muslim 2132); Abdullah is the better of the two. Any Abd + one of Allah's attribute names (Abdur Raheem, Abdul Malik, Abdul Khaliq) takes the same ruling. The Prophet ﷺ named over 19 children Abdullah.

Allowed: Abdullah, Abdur Rahman, Abdur Raheem, Abdul Malik, Abdul Khaliq, Abdul Jabbar, Abdul Qayyum

Not allowed: Abd Shams, Abdud Dar

Shortening Abd- names (calling Abdur Rahman "Rahman")

Calling someone named Abdur Rahman/Abdul Khaliq/Abdul Qayyum just "Rahman", "Khaliq" or "Qayyum" is forbidden; deliberately diminishing a name of Allah is kufr. If people are likely to shorten or diminutise the name, choose a different name.

Not allowed: Rahman (for a person), Qayyum (for a person), Quddus (for a person)

Muhammad and Ahmad vs Abdullah

Abdullah and Abdur Rahman being "most beloved" does not make them better than Muhammad and Ahmad, which Allah chose for His Prophet ﷺ; many virtues of naming Muhammad are reported.

Allowed: Muhammad, Ahmad

Names of Allah used alone

The proper name "Allah" may never be given to a human. Attribute names exclusive to Allah (Rahman, Quddus, Qayyum) are allowed only with Abd- (Abdul Quddus). Attribute names not exclusive to Allah (Ali, Rasheed, Kabeer, Badee) may be used alone or with al-, as long as the divine sense is not intended; avoid them where people diminutise names.

Allowed: Ali, Rasheed, Kabeer, Badee, Al-Ali, Ar-Rasheed, Abdul Quddus, Abdul Qayyum

Not allowed: Allah, Rahman, Quddus, Qayyum

Names the Prophet ﷺ changed

The Prophet ﷺ changed names he disliked: e.g. Jabbar to Abdul Jabbar, Aziz to Abdur Rahman, Abd Shams/Abdul Uzza to Abdur Rahman, Harb to Hasan/Salm, Aasi to Muti, Aasiya to Jameela, Shihab to Hisham, Hazn to Sahl, Ghafil to Aqil, Yasar to Sulaiman. Changing was by way of preference (mustahab), not obligation.

Allowed: Abdul Jabbar, Abdur Rahman, Salm, Muti, Jameela, Hisham, Sahl, Bashir, Habib, Aqil, Mutia, Kaseer

Not allowed: Aasi, Aziz, Atalah, Shaitan, Hakam, Ghurab, Hubab, Shihab, Harb, Muztaji, Hazn, Asiya (Aasiya), Ghafil, Qaleel, Bughaid

Name of Muhammad (virtues)

Naming a son Muhammad out of love for the Prophet ﷺ is a great blessing per several narrations quoted (some weak); a father of three sons who names none Muhammad is called ignorant. Honour a son named Muhammad and do not curse or beat him.

Allowed: Muhammad, Ahmad

Muhammad as aqiqah name plus a calling name

To avoid the name Muhammad being diminished or disrespected, name the child Muhammad at aqiqah and give a separate calling name (urf), as Imam Ahmad Raza did for all his sons; e.g. Muhammad + Rajab Raza, Bilal Raza.

Allowed: Muhammad Bilal Raza, Muhammad Hilal Raza, Rajab Raza

Prefixing Muhammad to Ghulam-/Kalb- names

Muhammad should only be prefixed to a name that could truly describe the Prophet ﷺ (e.g. Muhammad Sadiq, Muhammad Abdul Hayy). Imam Ahmad Raza did not allow prefixing Muhammad to names like Kalb-e-Ali, Ghulam Ali, Nisar Husain, Ghulam Jilani.

Allowed: Muhammad Sadiq, Muhammad Abdul Hayy

Not allowed: Muhammad Ghulam Husain, Muhammad Ghulam Aasi, Muhammad Kalb-e-Ali

Writing salawat after a person named Muhammad

When writing an ordinary person's name Muhammad, do not add ﷺ or abbreviations; abbreviating salawat (like "slm") after the Prophet's name is itself forbidden.

Calling a non-prophet "Nabi"

Names like Muhammad Nabi, Ahmad Nabi, Muhammad Rasool, Ahmad Rasool, Nabi-uz-Zaman, Nabiullah are not allowed, because a non-prophet may not be called a prophet; names do carry their literal meaning.

Not allowed: Muhammad Nabi, Ahmad Nabi, Muhammad Rasool, Ahmad Rasool, Nabi-uz-Zaman, Nabiullah

Bakhsh names (Nabi Bakhsh, Pir Bakhsh)

Names joining "Bakhsh" to a prophet's or saint's name are permissible (Bahar-e-Shariat).

Allowed: Muhammad Bakhsh, Ahmad Bakhsh, Nabi Bakhsh, Pir Bakhsh, Ali Bakhsh, Husain Bakhsh

Abd + other than Allah (Abdun Nabi, Ghulam Rasool)

Ghulam + names of prophets, Sahaba or saints (Ghulam Muhammad, Ghulam Siddiq, Ghulam Ali) is permissible; Abdul Mustafa, Abdun Nabi and Abdur Rasool are also permissible since the honour of attachment, not literal worship, is meant (Bahar-e-Shariat). Note: Deobandi muftis disagree on Abd + non-Allah names.

Allowed: Ghulam Muhammad, Ghulam Siddiq, Ghulam Farooq, Ghulam Ali, Ghulam Hasan, Ghulam Husain, Abdul Mustafa, Abdun Nabi, Abdur Rasool, Abdul Jamal, Abdur Rafiq

Muqattaat (Taha, Yaseen)

Taha and Yaseen should not be used as names because they are disjointed Quranic letters of unknown meaning, possibly names special to the Prophet ﷺ or to Allah; adding Muhammad (Muhammad Taha, Muhammad Yaseen) does not remove the prohibition.

Not allowed: Taha, Yaseen, Muhammad Taha, Muhammad Yaseen

Bad meanings

Ghafoor-ud-Din is very ugly because it literally means "eraser of the religion". Names with bad meanings, self-praise, or insult should not be given (Tabari via Fath al-Bari).

Not allowed: Ghafoor-ud-Din

Calling saints "Qayyum-e-Zaman"

Calling a person or saint Qayyum, Quddus or Rahman, or titles like "Qayyum-e-Jahan/Zaman", is severely forbidden, and some jurists deem it kufr.

Not allowed: Qayyum-e-Zaman, Qayyum-e-Jahan

Dropping Abd from Abdul Qadir etc.

Dropping "Abd" from such names is very bad; calling Abdul Qadir "Qadir" is bad (Qadir can be used for creation), but calling Abdul Qadeer "Qadeer", or Abdul Quddus "Quddus", is like calling Abdullah "Allah". Scholars differ on applying Qadeer/Muqtadir to creation.

Allowed: Abdul Qadir, Abdul Qadeer, Abdur Razzaq, Abdul Muqtadir

Not allowed: Qadeer (for a person), Razzaq (for a person)

Insulting nicknames

Calling someone by a hurtful name or nickname (Lambu, Thingu, Kalu) is haram (Quran 49:11); affectionate diminutives used by the Prophet ﷺ (Uthaim, Unais, Aish, Humaira) are fine when the person does not dislike them. True praiseworthy titles (Siddiq, Farooq) are allowed.

Allowed: Atiq, Farooq, Zun-Nurain, Abu Turab, Saifullah

Not allowed: Lambu, Thingu, Kalu

Kunya (Abu ...)

Having a kunya is a sunnah, even without children; it is best taken from the eldest son (or eldest daughter), and women may take one too. A kunya must be Islamically sound: the Prophet ﷺ changed Abul Hakam to Abu Shuraih because al-Hakam is Allah.

Allowed: Abu Shuraih, Abu Turab, Abu Bakr, Abul Qasim

Not allowed: Abul Hakam

Combining two or three names

Adding the father's name is fine by local custom, but needlessly making a name out of two or three names (e.g. Muhammad Ali Husain) was not the practice of the early Muslims, who had single-word names.

Not allowed: Muhammad Ali Husain

Gender-appropriate names

A boy should not be given a girl's name or vice versa; the name should make the sex clear (e.g. Khadija for a girl, Qasim for a boy).

Allowed: Khadija, Qasim

Names of other religions

Muslims may not use names specific to non-Muslims, such as Jirjis (George), Butrus (Peter) or Yuhanna (John), because it imitates them (Fatawa Ridawiyya).

Not allowed: Yuhanna, Jirjis, Butrus

Self-praise (Barrah)

Names that praise oneself were changed by the Prophet ﷺ: Barrah to Zainab, Juwairiyah and Maimuna ("do not purify yourselves"). Titles like Shams-ud-Din, Zain-ud-Din, Muhyuddin, Fakhr-ud-Din, Naseer-ud-Din, Siraj-ud-Din, Nizam-ud-Din, Qutb-ud-Din should not be given as names; for past scholars they were honorific titles, not names.

Allowed: Zainab, Juwairiyah, Maimuna

Not allowed: Barrah, Shams-ud-Din, Zain-ud-Din, Muhyuddin, Fakhr-ud-Din, Naseer-ud-Din, Siraj-ud-Din, Nizam-ud-Din, Qutb-ud-Din

Mild praise names (Saeed, Hasan)

Names with only slight praise, like Saeed and Hasan, are not disliked; the Prophet ﷺ himself gave names such as Asad, Zahid, Saeed, Afeef, Aqil, Mukarram.

Allowed: Saeed, Hasan, Asad, Zahid, Afeef, Aqil, Mukarram, Hisham, Maimuna, Saleh

Yasar, Rabah, Najih, Aflah

The Prophet ﷺ advised not to name a boy Yasar, Rabah, Najih or Aflah (Muslim 2137) because "Is Aflah here?"/"No" sounds ominous; this is tanzihi (not forbidden), and the same applies to names like Barakat and Zafar. He intended to forbid Barakah, Nafi and Aflah but never did, so they remain permissible (Tahawi).

Not allowed: Yasar, Rabah, Najih, Aflah, Barakat, Nafi, Zafar

Changing a name

Do not change a good, well-connected name out of superstition (blaming illness or poverty on the name, or on an amil's advice); taking bad omens is a satanic practice. Changing a bad name to a good one is recommended.

Abjad / historical (tarikhi) names

Choosing a name by numerology for the birth year is allowed but carries no virtue; elders kept such a name separate from the real name. Better to name after a prophet, Companion or saint.

Picking a name at random from the Quran

Opening the Quran to pick a word is fine only if it is a name of a prophet or righteous person; many Quranic words are unsuitable (Wanhar, Abtar, Muzabzabeen, Zaniya, Khannas, Firaun, Haman, Kalb, Himar).

Allowed: Kausar

Not allowed: Wanhar, Abtar, Muzabzabeen, Zaniya, Khannas, Firaun, Haman

Prophets' names

Name after the prophets (Abu Dawud 4950), Companions, Tabi'in and saints for blessing and a spiritual link; this is mustahab provided the name is not one exclusive to them. The truest names are Harith and Hammam; Harb and Murrah are bad.

Allowed: Ibrahim, Harith, Hammam, Hasan, Husain, Muhsin, Abu Bakr, Umar, Usman, Abbas

Not allowed: Harb, Murrah

Names of actors / TV characters

The trend of picking names of novel, drama or film characters and actors is discouraged; it is mustahab to name after the friends of Allah instead.

Names of other religions

Asked about naming a Muslim boy "Ahmad Octavio" after his Christian grandfather: Islam prescribes no specific names, only good ones with beautiful meanings; avoid names of idols, repulsive names, or names that embarrass the child. The fatwa does not forbid the Latin name.

Allowed: Ahmad Octavio

Bad meanings

Names with bad meanings, names of idols worshipped besides Allah, repulsive names, and names that cause embarrassment must be avoided.

Non-Arabic/English names

Non-Arabic names are allowed on three conditions: no religious connotation specific to non-Muslims, not chosen out of cultural dependency (imitation), and no bad meaning. Many prophets' and Companions' names are non-Arabic in origin and Islam is not Arab-specific.

Names of other religions

A non-Arabic name is not allowed if it carries religious connotations peculiar to non-Muslims (Jordan, condition one of three).

Tyrants

Naming Muslim children Pharaoh (Fir'awn), Haman, Qarun, 'Ad, Madyan or Thamud is not permissible because they are symbols of disbelief; whoever has such a name should change it, following the Prophet's ﷺ practice of changing improper names.

Not allowed: Firaun, Haman, Qarun, Aad, Madyan, Thamud

Changing a name

Changing ugly or improper names to good ones is an established Sunnah (Hazn/Sahl, Asiya/Jameela hadiths); the Jordanian Iftaa asks civil authorities to make such changes easy.

Allowed: Sahl, Jameela

Not allowed: Hazn

Non-Arabic/English names

Giving a good name is a parental duty (Abu Dawud: "give your children good names"), but the name need not be Arabic or appear in the Quran; what matters is a good meaning that is not considered strange or odd.

Names of Allah used alone

Names specific to Allah (al-Khaliq, al-Ahad, as-Samad, ar-Razzaq) are haram for any creature. Names whose meaning can describe creation (Hakim, Basir, Ali, al-Aziz, Kabir, Rashid, Badi) are permissible; Companions like Ali ibn Abi Talib and Hakim ibn Hizam bore them, and the Quran itself calls a man "al-Aziz".

Allowed: Hakim, Basir, Ali, Aziz, Kabir, Rashid, Badi

Not allowed: Khaliq, Ahad, Samad, Razzaq

Names of Allah used alone

Allah's names are of two kinds. Names that belong to Him alone (Allah, al-Rabb, al-Awwal, al-Akhir) may not be given to anyone by consensus; al-Ahad is in this group by analogy, and al-Shirbini says Malik al-Amlak is for Allah only.

Not allowed: Ahad, Malik al-Amlak, Rabb, Awwal, Akhir

Names of Allah used alone

Names that Allah shares with people in meaning (e.g. Karim, Alim; the Quran calls the Prophet ﷺ 'merciful' and man 'hearing, seeing') may be given; on a human they show human limits. Only names exclusive to Allah (Allah, al-Rahman, al-Khaliq) are barred.

Allowed: Kareem, Aleem, Momin

Not allowed: Allah, Rahman, Khaliq

Self-praise (Barrah)

Self-praising (tazkiyah) names are not disliked in themselves; what is disliked is choosing them to praise oneself (the Prophet ﷺ renamed Barrah to Zainab). If the bearer is not proud, the name is fine, and names with pious meanings are even hoped to shape the child.

Allowed: Yaqeen, Karam, Momin

Not allowed: Zaha, Barrah

Yasar, Rabah, Najih, Aflah

Following the hadith against naming a servant Yasar, Rabah, Najih or Aflah, Shafi'i scholars hold that these and names of similar meaning (e.g. Aysar, Barakah) are mildly disliked (makruh tanzih) because a negative reply ("he is not here") sounds like a bad omen. Changing them is recommended, but keeping them is no sin.

Not allowed: Aysar, Yasar, Rabah, Najih, Aflah, Barakah

Abd- names must end in a name of Allah

"Abed" (worshipper) used alone is not allowed, because with the father's name it reads "Abed [father]"; an Abd-/Abid- name should be joined to one of Allah's beautiful names. The questioner was told to make it compound.

Allowed: Abdullah

Not allowed: Abid (alone)

Abd + other than Allah (Abdun Nabi, Ghulam Rasool)

Abd- should be joined only to a name of Allah. AbdulMahdi is not such a name and was not used by Ahl al-Sunnah, so the bearer was advised to change it to Mahdi or AbdulHadi. The 2022 article adds that most scholars dislike Abdun Nabi; it can be read as "servant of the Prophet" but is better avoided.

Allowed: Mahdi, Abdul Hadi

Not allowed: Abdul Mahdi, Abdun Nabi

Idol names

Ashtar (Ishtar, an ancient Mesopotamian goddess) may not be used for a child or even a product, because that spreads the name of a false deity, even unintentionally.

Not allowed: Ashtar

Changing a name

A name that embarrasses the child and family (here a girl named Dalaa`) may be changed to a suitable one; the Iftaa supported the father's court request, since the Prophet ﷺ used to change bad names.

Not allowed: Dalaa

Changing a name

It is recommended to change ugly names, names that sound ominous when negated, and self-praising names (e.g. Barrah was changed to Juwairiyah).

Allowed: Juwairiyah

Not allowed: Barrah

Verse or sacred phrase as a name

Naming a girl "Bismillah" is inappropriate: it implies self-praise, sounds wrong when negated (as scholars said of Ni`mah), names a person after a Quran verse, which scholars dislike, and may embarrass her. Changing it is recommended.

Not allowed: Bismillah, Nimah

Who names the child

Choosing the name is the father's right as the child's guardian (then the grandfather), per Shafi'i, Maliki and Hanbali texts; parents should still consult each other and not let it become a dispute.

When to name / aqiqah

Naming on the seventh day is recommended (hadith of Amr ibn Shu'aib); naming on the day of birth is also recommended (the Prophet ﷺ named Abu Musa's baby Ibrahim at once). The two are reconciled: name at birth, and on the seventh day if aqiqah is done. Fatwa 628 lists a good name among the seventh-day acts.

Allowed: Ibrahim

Naming a miscarried / stillborn child

A baby who died before being named should still be named, as should a miscarried foetus after ensoulment; if its sex is unknown, give a name used for both sexes (Mughni al-Muhtaj).

Allowed: Kharijah, Talha, Hind

What a good name is

Islam does not require particular names, but good names are desirable. The dearest names to Allah are Abdullah and Abdur Rahman; al-Mawardi recommends names of prophets and righteous people, chosen out of love for them.

Allowed: Abdullah, Abdur Rahman, Harith, Hammam

Bad meanings

Ugly names are disliked, e.g. Shaytan (devil), Zalim (wrongdoer) and Himar (donkey).

Not allowed: Shaitan, Zalim, Himar

Angels' names

Giving children the names of angels is permissible and not disliked (Shafi'i, from al-Nawawi's al-Adhkar).

Prophets' names

Giving children the names of prophets is permissible and not disliked.

Muqattaat (Taha, Yaseen)

Naming a child Yaseen or Taha is permissible and not disliked.

Allowed: Taha, Yaseen

Name of Muhammad (virtues)

Imam Malik reported the people of Madinah saying a household with someone named Muhammad is blessed in provision. A vow to name an expected son Muhammad is not binding (a vow to do something merely permissible); if the baby is a girl the vow lapses, though the Iftaa still urges naming sons Muhammad.

Allowed: Muhammad

Kunya (Abu ...)

Giving a child a kunya is permissible (the Prophet ﷺ called a boy Abu Umair). A father is best called by his eldest son's name; virtuous men and women may take a kunya even without sons; a disbeliever, open sinner or innovator should not be honoured with one. Abu Lahab's real name, Abd al-Uzza, was an idol name.

Allowed: Abu Umair

Not allowed: Abdul Uzza

Kunya Abul Qasim

Naming a son Qasim (even the eldest) is allowed, but the relied-upon Shafi'i view forbids anyone but the Prophet ﷺ the kunya Abul-Qasim; such a father should pick another kunya. The Iftaa notes the Maliki view (the ban was only for the Prophet's lifetime) and a third view.

Allowed: Qasim

Not allowed: Abul Qasim

Calling parents by name

A son should address his father as "Father" and a student his teacher as "Teacher", rather than by name.

Names of Allah used alone

Any name is allowed unless Sharia forbids it. Divine names that are shared (Karim, Malik, Mu'min, Rahim, Hakim, Aziz, Ra'uf; the Quran applies Aziz and Ra'uf to the Prophet ﷺ) may be given, as Muslims always have. Only names exclusive to Allah, such as Allah and al-Rahman, are barred.

Allowed: Kareem, Malik, Momin, Raheem, Hakeem, Aziz, Raoof

Not allowed: Allah, Rahman

Names of Allah exclusive to Him (Rahman)

Some divine names belong to Allah alone and may name no person or thing: Allah, Allahumma, al-Rahman, al-Rahim (with "al-"), al-Khaliq, al-Mutakabbir, al-Quddus, al-Muhaymin, al-Jabbar, Khaliq al-Khalq. The hadith calls "Malik al-Amlak" the vilest name before Allah, and al-Nawawi says taking it is haram.

Not allowed: Allah, Allahumma, Rahman, Ar-Raheem (with al-), Khaliq, Mutakabbir, Quddus, Muhaymin, Jabbar (al-Jabbar), Malik al-Amlak

Calling a non-prophet "Nabi"

Names that became titles of prophets (Rasul Allah, Nabi Allah, Kalim Allah, al-Masih Isa) and names suggesting a non-prophet is a prophet (Hashim al-Nabi) are not allowed. "Rasul Allah" as a name falsely suggests a messenger after Muhammad ﷺ.

Not allowed: Rasool Allah, Nabiullah, Kaleemullah, Al-Masih Isa, Hashim an-Nabi

Meaningless / unknown names

Phrases that are not real names and mislead, such as "Allahumma salli 'ala" (O Allah, bless...), may not be used as names.

Not allowed: Allahumma Salli Ala

Bad meanings

Names that by custom demean a child, such as Himar (donkey), Kharuf (sheep) or Baqarah (cow), are not allowed.

Not allowed: Himar, Kharuf, Baqarah

What a good name is

Naming is a right of the child and scholars agree it is required (Ibn Hazm). A "good name" is one that is not ugly and not against Sharia; avoid ugly, insulting and self-praising meanings. Names of prophets and righteous people are best; Abdullah and Abdur Rahman are dearest to Allah, while Harb and Murrah are the ugliest (Abu Dawud).

Allowed: Abdullah, Abdur Rahman, Harith, Hammam

Not allowed: Harb, Murrah

Abd + other than Allah (Abdun Nabi, Ghulam Rasool)

There is no objection to Abdun Nabi or Abdur Rasool, meant as honourable attachment to the Prophet ﷺ through following and serving him, as Muslims have done for centuries ("abd" can mean servant, as in Abd al-Muttalib). Other Abd- names in a non-worship sense are disputed, and disputed matters are not condemned. (Contrast: Jordan says better avoided; Deoband says forbidden.)

Allowed: Abdun Nabi, Abdur Rasool

Self-praise (Barrah)

Names that contain praise or self-commendation are basically permissible without dislike; they become disliked only if chosen to draw blessing or a good omen from the words themselves.

Muqattaat (Taha, Yaseen)

Naming a child Taha or Yaseen is permissible; many hadith scholars, exegetes and jurists count Yaseen (and some Taha) among the Prophet's ﷺ names. The dislike reported from some Malikis is explained by the possibility that Yasin is a name of Allah or of the Quran.

Allowed: Taha, Yaseen

Prophets' names

Scholars agree that naming children after prophets is meritorious: it shows love for them, keeps their memory alive and invites imitation of their character.

Name of Muhammad (virtues)

The Prophet's ﷺ names are among the best of all names, and naming a child Muhammad or Ahmad for blessing is recommended. The report that those named Muhammad will be called into Paradise is judged sound in meaning, its best chains being hasan.

Allowed: Muhammad, Ahmad

When to name / aqiqah

Naming on the seventh day after birth is recommended, but naming before or after it is also allowed; there is latitude.

Naming a miscarried / stillborn child

Naming a baby born dead, or who dies before being named, is recommended, not obligatory (al-Nawawi, al-Majmu').

Who names the child

When spouses disagree, the husband has the right to name the baby, boy or girl (the hadith on good names addresses fathers, who also provide for the family); the couple are urged to reach agreement.

Changing a name

Changing a name is obligatory if it belongs only to Allah (al-Khaliq), befits only Him (Hakim al-Hukkam), or makes the person a slave of other than Allah (Abd Shams).

Not allowed: Khaliq, Hakim al-Hukkam, Abd Shams

Changing a name

Changing to a better name is recommended for names people find repellent (Harb), names that sound bad when negated (Rabah, Aflah) and self-exalting names (al-Ashraf, al-Taqi); any other name may be kept or changed freely, following legal procedure.

Not allowed: Harb, Rabah, Aflah, Ashraf (al-Ashraf), Taqi (al-Taqi), Hazn

Convert's name

A convert need not change the name he is known by unless it has a forbidden meaning (e.g. an idol's name) or a repulsive one; changing it is no condition of Islam. A 1979 fatwa adds that, since names signal religion by custom, taking a Muslim name is preferable.

Surname of a fostered or orphaned child

A guardian (man or woman) may add the family surname, or only his own first name, to the name of an orphan or foundling in his care, so long as it does not suggest the child is his biological offspring; this resembles the old Arab tie of wala', not forbidden adoption. A child born outside marriage may likewise take the stepfather's family name, but not his first names.

Surname of a fostered or orphaned child

It is forbidden to give a fostered or adopted child the guardian's full name, or his first name and surname together, or to alter the child's mother's name to match the guardian's, since this presents the child as the guardian's own (Quran 33:5; Zayd ibn Haritha's name was restored).

Wife taking husband's surname

A wife may add her husband's family name where custom treats it as identification ("wife of so-and-so"), not as lineage; what is forbidden is attributing someone to other than his father as his child.

Calling parents by name

Calling one's parent by bare name is haram if the parent dislikes it or is hurt (a form of disobedience); it is allowed where custom accepts it and no disrespect is meant, but it is better to keep the parent's dignity and not use the bare name.

Importance of a good name

Sound reports indicate that on the Day of Judgement people are called by their fathers' names, not their mothers'; reports to the contrary are weak or explained as relating to the graveside talqin.

Names joined to Allah (Nurullah)

A father's choice of a name such as "NurAllah" for a girl is not forbidden as long as it is not meant to mock Allah's attributes; chosen for blessing it is permissible (cf. Quran 24:35). "Tabarak" for a girl is likewise unobjectionable.

Allowed: Nurullah, Tabarak

Angels' names

Naming a child after angels is permissible (al-Nawawi, majority), except names known only as angels' names, such as Jibril, Mikail, Izrail and Israfil, which some (Imam Malik, Ibn al-Qayyim) disliked. Names in common use such as Malik and Ridwan are not disliked.

Allowed: Malik, Ridwan

Not allowed: Jibril, Mikail, Izrail, Israfil

Non-Arabic/English names

Non-Arabic names are permissible if the meaning is good and carries no shirk, arrogance or bad sense (citing al-Qaradawi: Companions bore names of plants, animals and nature). The mufti still advises names that mark the child as Muslim and keeping bin/binti.

Allowed: Bunga, Kuntum, Talha, Hanzala, Asad, Fahd, Saqr, Bahr, Jabal, Sakhr

Changing a name

Someone who discovers his name has a bad meaning is encouraged to change it, as the Prophet ﷺ renamed Companions (e.g. 'Asiyah to Jamilah, and Abd- names to other than Allah); parents should ask scholars about a name's meaning before using it.

Allowed: Jameela

Not allowed: Aasiya (disobedient)

Changing a name

A name with shirk such as Abdul Ka'bah must be changed; a good name may still be changed for a valid reason (Barrah, Khairunnisa, as self-praising); names that invite pessimism such as Hazn (sadness) should not be given.

Not allowed: Abdul Kaaba, Barrah, Khairunnisa, Hazn

Superstition about names

The belief that a name is "too heavy" for a child and causes illness has no basis; it resembles superstition and omen-taking (Muslim: "no tiyarah"), and Muslims should avoid it, since only Allah brings harm or benefit.

Naming a miscarried / stillborn child

For a miscarriage after four months, the father should give a good name by sex; if the sex cannot be known, a name suitable for both, such as Talhah or Hindun (Nihayat al-Muhtaj).

Allowed: Talha, Hind

Convert's name

A new Muslim may keep a birth name with a good meaning even if unlike other Muslims' names, especially for work, documents and family ties, and may keep his father's name to preserve lineage.

Muqattaat (Taha, Yaseen)

Reports that Yasin and Taha are names of the Prophet ﷺ are weak (Qadi Iyad cites them tentatively); some exegetes see Taha only as disjointed letters while others accept it. Since no halal/haram issue is involved, attributing such good names to him is tolerated.

Allowed: Taha, Yaseen

Kunya Abul Qasim

The mufti prefers the majority view that the ban on the kunya Abu al-Qasim applied only during the Prophet's ﷺ lifetime (al-Nawawi as cited by al-Shirbini), so it is permissible now, while noting Jordan's Shafi'i view that it is forbidden.

Allowed: Abul Qasim

Name of Muhammad

The saying that a man with three sons who names none Muhammad is ignorant is a very weak, near-fabricated report and must not be attributed to the Prophet ﷺ. Naming a son Muhammad is good, but teaching the child the Prophet's character matters more.

Allowed: Muhammad

Surname / lineage

Being known by one's grandfather's name (as Imam al-Shafi'i and Abu Ubaidah ibn al-Jarrah were) is acceptable within scholars' conditions; what is haram is falsely claiming someone other than one's real father.

Abd + Names of Allah (Abdullah, Abdur Rahman)

The Prophet ﷺ said the names dearest to Allah are Abdullah and Abdur Rahman.

Allowed: Abdullah, Abdur Rahman

Kunya Abul Qasim

The Prophet ﷺ allowed people to take his name but not his kunya "Abul Qasim" (narrated in the same chapter of Sahih Muslim).

Allowed: Muhammad

Not allowed: Abul Qasim (kunya)

Names the Prophet ﷺ changed

The Prophet ﷺ changed the name 'Asiya ("disobedient") and said "You are Jamila".

Allowed: Jameela

Not allowed: Aasiya (disobedient)

Women of perfection (Maryam, Asiya)

The Prophet ﷺ said that among women only Maryam bint Imran and Asiya, wife of Pharaoh, reached perfection, and Aisha's excellence over women is like tharid over other food; these are among the most honoured women's names. Note Asiya (آسیہ, Pharaoh's believing wife) is a different word from 'Asiya (عاصیہ, disobedient).

Allowed: Maryam, Asiya, Aisha

Prophets' names

The Quran names prophets in Surah al-An'am 6:83-86: Ibrahim, Ishaq, Yaqub, Nuh, Dawud, Sulaiman, Ayyub, Yusuf, Musa, Harun, Zakariya, Yahya, Isa, Ilyas, Ismail, Al-Yasa, Yunus and Lut; scholars agree naming after prophets is allowed and encouraged.

Allowed: Ibrahim, Ishaq, Yaqub, Nuh, Dawud, Sulaiman, Ayyub, Yusuf, Musa, Harun, Zakariya, Yahya, Isa, Ilyas, Ismail, Al-Yasa, Yunus, Lut

Prophets' names

Quran 4:163 lists further prophets who received revelation: Nuh, Ibrahim, Ismail, Ishaq, Yaqub, the Asbat, Isa, Ayyub, Yunus, Harun, Sulaiman and Dawud.

Allowed: Nuh, Ibrahim, Ismail, Ishaq, Yaqub, Isa, Ayyub, Yunus, Harun, Sulaiman, Dawud

Name of Muhammad

Quran 33:40 names Muhammad ﷺ as Messenger of Allah and Seal of the Prophets; so no one after him may be called "Nabi" (basis for avoiding names like Muhammad Nabi).

Allowed: Muhammad

Not allowed: Nabi (as a title for a person)

Name of Muhammad

In Quran 61:6 Isa gives glad tidings of a messenger "whose name is Ahmad", so Ahmad is a Quranic name of the Prophet ﷺ.

Allowed: Ahmad

Who names the child

In Quran 3:36 the mother of Maryam names her daughter herself ("I have named her Maryam"), showing a mother may name the child and that naming at birth is valid.

Allowed: Maryam