Naming in Islam
The Islamic faith places significant emphasis on the rights of a newborn from the moment the soul is breathed into them. Among these rights, the right to life is paramount; hence, any form of harm to the fetus is strictly prohibited once the soul has been instilled. Additionally, Islam grants the unborn child the right to be given a beautiful name upon birth, which the parents are mandated to fulfill. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) has referenced preferred names for both male and female children in numerous authentic sayings, as well as names that are deemed undesirable. So, what are the most beautiful and commendable names in Islam, and which names should be avoided?
Preferred Male Names
The prophetic texts indicate specific names that are commendable for children, while advising against others. For names not explicitly mentioned in religious texts, the general principle remains permissibility. The following names have been favored by the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him):
- Names such as Abdullah and Abdul Rahman, which are regarded as the best names, are preferred by the Prophet (peace be upon him). He stated, “The most loved names to Allah are Abdullah and Abdul Rahman.”
- Names connoting servitude to Allah, such as Abdul Aziz, Abdul Rahim, Abdul Ilah, Abdul Malik, Abdul Wahab, and Abdul Salam, are also favored as they reflect worship and submission to the Almighty.
- Names of the Prophets and Messengers of Allah (peace be upon them), with Muhammad (peace be upon him) being the supreme name, followed by Ahmad and then the five resolute Messengers: Moses, Jesus, Abraham, and Noah, along with others like John, Jacob, Joseph, Jonah, Salih, and Hud (peace be upon them all).
- Names associated with the righteous servants of Allah, including the companions of the Prophet (may Allah be pleased with them), such as Abu Bakr, Umar, Uthman, Ali, Hamza, Muawiya, Jafar, Yazid, Zaid, Ammar, and Talha (may Allah be pleased with them all).
- Any beautiful and commendable names that do not have any associated prohibitions or disfavor.
Prohibited and Undesirable Names
Several prophetic texts explicitly discourage the use of specific names, and scholars have identified a group of names that contradict Islamic teachings. Some of these names include:
- It is forbidden to name a child using the names of Allah (Exalted be He) or His specific attributes—those names that are deemed exclusive to Him, such as the Creator, the Most Merciful, the Most Holy, the Mighty, the King of Kings, the Sole Judge, the One, the Sustainer, the Supreme, and the Knower of the Unseen. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) indicated this prohibition, stating, “The most grievous name on the Day of Resurrection to Allah is a man who calls himself King of Kings.” However, names that may be shared among humans, such as Ali, لطيف (Latif), or بديع (Badi’), are permissible as long as they do not conflict with Allah’s names.
- Names which should only be associated with the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) are also prohibited; for example, names like “Lord of the Children of Adam” or “The Leader of the People” should not be used for anyone else.
- Names attributing servitude to anyone other than Allah, such as “Abd-Nabi” (servant of the Prophet), “Abd-Rasul” (servant of the Messenger), “Abdul-Uzza,” “Abd-al-Kaaba,” “Abd-Hussein,” and “Abd-al-Dar,” are not permissible.
- Names that were associated with idols worshipped by polytheists, such as Al-Lat and Al-Uzza, are similarly forbidden.
- Names that refer to devils or evil spirits, such as Iblis, Khanzab, and those referring to malevolent entities.
There are numerous names that are discouraged, some explicitly mentioned by the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). For instance, a hadith narrated by Ibn Abdul Barr states: “Call yourselves by the names of the Prophets; the most beloved names to Allah are Abdullah and Abdul Rahman; the most truthful of them are Harith and Hammam, and the ugliest are Harb and Murra.” Names like Harb and Murra are discouraged due to their harsh connotations. Moreover, the following names should also be avoided:
- Names that evoke feelings of repulsion due to their harsh meanings, unpleasant sounds, or negative connotations that could lead to ridicule or embarrassment for the individual bearing that name, in contradiction to the Prophet’s encouragement to choose the best names for children.
- Names that provoke lustful feelings or have suggestive phonetics that may imply temptation.
- Names derived from popular musicians or actors known for their immoral behavior, or from figures known for their corruption.
- Names that denote sin and vice.
- Names associated with tyrants, pharaohs, or individuals noted for oppression and wrongdoing.
- Names of animals or repugnant insects, such as donkey or monkey.