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Rulings for Naming The Newborn Babies
Author : Dr. Hassan Abu_Arqoub
Date Added : 12-12-2022

 

All perfect praise be to Allah the Lord of the Worlds. May His peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Mohammad and upon all his family and companions.

 

Islamic rulings for newborn babies can be summarized as follows*:

 

First: On what day should a newborn be given its name?

 

It is recommended to name the newborn on the seventh day, as customary amongst the people. The evidence on this is the following Hadith: Narrated 'Amr bin Shu'aib from his father, from his grandfather that: "The Prophet (PBUH) ordered naming the child on the seventh day, removing the harm from him, and Al-'Aqq (removing the hair and slaughtering the animal for 'Aqiqah)." [A good /unfamiliar narration].

 

It is also recommended to name the newborn on the first day based on the following Hadith: Abu Musa reported: 

"A child was born in my house and I brought him to Allah's Apostle (May peace be upon him) and he gave him the name of Ibrahim, he rubbed his palate with dates, and prayed that Allah blesses him." {Agreed upon}.

 

We can reconcile both Hadiths by saying that giving a name to the baby on the day it was born is true when no Aqiqa is to be offered for it and on the seventh when Aqiqa is to be offered after having given it a name on the first.

 

Second: Should a newborn baby be named even if it passed away before it was given a name?

 

It is stated: "Even if the newborn baby died before it was given a name, it is recommended to name it. It is also recommended to name the miscarried embryo in which the spirit was breathed, and if it couldn`t be told whether it was a boy or a girl, it is to be a given a name that fits both genders, such as Kharijah, Talhah, and Hind." [Mughni Al-Muhtajj].

 

Third: Giving a good name to one`s child.

 

It is recommended for the father to choose a good name for his child since 

the Prophet (PBUH) said: "On the Day of Resurrection, you will be called by your names and by your father's names, so give yourselves good names." [Ahmad & Abu Dawood].

 

Fourth: What are the most beloved of names to Allah?

 

The most beloved of names to Allah are 'Abdullah and 'Abd Al-Rahman. As Ibn Umar (May Allah Be Pleased with them) reported that Allah's Messenger (PBUH) said: "The names dearest to Allah are 'Abdullah and 'Abd al-Rahman." {Moslim}. Abu Dawood added: "And the best names are Harith (He who digs the earth) and Humam (Courageous and generous).

 

Fifth: What are the disliked names in Islam?

 

A- Ugly names are disliked, such as Shaytan (Satan/the Devil), Zalim (Wrongdoer), and Himar (Donkey).

 

B- It is disliked to give one`s child a name that people take as an evil omen when negated, such as Najih, Barakah, Rabah, and Aflah. This is attested to in the following Hadith: "Samura b. Jundub reported: The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said: "The dearest phrases to Allah are four: Subhan Allah (Hallowed be Allah), Al-Hamdulillah (Praise be to Allah), La Ilaha Illa-Allah (There is no deity but Allah), Allahu Akbar (Allah is Greater). There is no harm for you in which of them to begin with (while remembering Allah). And do not give these names to your servants: Yasar and Rabah and Najih and Aflah." [Moslim]. The narrator says: "Don`t add to these four." Does this phrase mean that you can`t draw an analogy on the names that he heard from the Prophet (PBUH)?

Answer:

 Is that in Shareh Muslim, An-Nawawi said: 

"The narrator saying (Don`t add to these four names) doesn`t mean that it is banned to make an analogy based on these four and other names of similar meaning."

 

Fellow Shafiee's scholars said that it is disliked to name one`s child with these four names or names of similar meaning and that these four are given as an example. 

 

These names are properly disapproved and not forbidden, and the cause for their being disliked is reflected in the words of the Prophet (PBUH) who said: "Is Falah (Success) there? They say: No., he isn`t). Such name is disliked because when you say there is no Falah, it means there is no success in that home. Accordingly, the answer is ugly and may cause the hearer to take it as an evil omen." 

C- Names of Tazkiyah (A term alluring to Tazkiyat An-Nafs, meaning "sanctification" or "Purification of the self." Ibn Abbas (May Allah Be Pleased with them) reported: "the name of Juwairiya (the wife of the Holy Prophet) was Barra (Pious). Allah's Messenger (PBUH) changed her name to Juwairiya and said: I did not like that it should be said: He had come out from Barra (Pious)." [Muslim]. 

 

Sixth: Islamic Ruling on Changing Ugly Names.

 

It is recommended to change ugly names, names taken as a bad omen when negated, and names of Tazkya.

 

Seventh: What is the Islamic ruling on using the names of angels and Prophets?

 

It is permissible to give the names of angels and Prophets to one`s children, and this isn`t disliked.

 

Eighth: What is the Islamic ruling on naming one`s child Yaseen or Taha?

 

It is permissible to name one`s child Yaseen or Taha and this isn`t disliked.

 

Ninth: Is there a reward for naming one`s child Mohammad?

 

Malik said: I heard the people of Mdinah saying: "A family in which there is a member called Mohammad shall be blessed with good sustenance."

 

Ten: Is it permissible to name a child by "Abdoalnabi"?

 

Most scholars opt for prohibiting this name and considering it disliked for fear of ascribing partners in worship with Allah. However, giving this name to a child can be permissible if it is intended as the servant of the Prophet (PBUH). Yet, it is better not to use it.

 

Eleven: Is it permissible to nickname a child?

 

Yes, this is permissible because Anas said: "The Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, visited us. I had a young brother who used the Kunya of Abu 'Umayr. He had a sparrow, which he used to play with, and it had died. The Prophet (PBUH) came and saw that he was sad. He asked: "what is wrong with him?' He was told, 'His sparrow has died.' The Prophet said, 'Abu 'Umayr, what has happened to the little sparrow?" {Agreed upon}.

 

Twelve: Which son`s name should a father be called with?

 

It is recommended that he should be called by the name of his oldest son.

 

Thirteen: Is it permissible to nickname the person who has no son?

 

It is recommended to nickname the people of excellence from among the men and women if they had no sons.

 

Fourteen: Is it permissible to nickname the Kafir (Disbeliever), the Fasiq (Evil sinner), and the Mobtadi` (Innovator)?

 

It isn`t permissible to nickname any of these because they are unworthy of this honor. 

If someone used the following verse in which, Allah, The Most Exalted Said (What means): "Perish the hands of the Father of Flame! Perish he!" {Al-Masad/1}. What is your answer to this?

The answer: He was nicknamed with Abu Lahab (The Father of Flame) and his real name wasn`t mentioned because it is Abd al-Uzza, which is one of the three chief goddesses of Arabian religion in pre-Islamic times and either she was worshipped by the pre-Islamic Arabs along with Al-Lat and Manat. Or, he was known by his nickname more than his real name.

 

Fifteen: Is it permissible for a son to call his father with his name? or, the student to call his teacher with his name?

 

 It is recommended for a son to say: "Father." And the student to say: "Teacher."

 

Sixteen: Is permissible for a person to nickname himself in his books and letters?

 

Etiquette stipulates that one doesn`t nickname himself in a book or else unless he is only known by that nickname or that nickname is more famous than the name itself.

 

*This article is taken from "Kitab Al-Athkar" by An-Nawawi and [Moghni Al-Mohtajj] for Al-Shirbini. However, it underwent some additions and modifications.

 

 

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Summarized Fatawaa

What is the wisdom behind legislating the Udhiyah?

The Muslim must know that through the Uḍḥiyah, he complies with the command of Allah, the Exalted, and performs a worship that brings him closer to Allah and distances him from the Fire.
 
The Uḍḥiyah holds profound wisdoms and noble meanings, including:
 
1-Reviving the Sunnah of Abraham, peace be upon him: He complied with Allah's command when He ordered him to slaughter his son Ishmael. Abraham, peace be upon him, succeeded in the test, and when he was about to slaughter his son, Allah sent down a ram to ransom Ishmael and commanded him to slaughter it instead. Allah, the Exalted, says {what means]: "And when he reached with him [the age of] exertion, he said, 'O my son, indeed I have seen in a dream that I [must] sacrifice you, so see what you think.' He said, 'O my father, do as you are commanded. You will find me, if Allah wills, of the steadfast.' And when they had both submitted and he put him down upon his forehead, We called to him, 'O Abraham, You have fulfilled the vision.' Indeed, We thus reward the doers of good. Indeed, this was the clear trial. And We ransomed him with a great sacrifice." [Al-Ṣāffāt/102-107]. Thus, the sacrificial offering became an enduring Sunnah until the Day of Judgment, and Muslims offer their wealth as sacrifices, drawing closer to Allah, the Exalted, reviving this great Sunnah.
 
2-Providing abundance for people on Eid day and the Days of Tashrīq: Among the wisdoms of the Uḍḥiyah is that the Muslim provides generously for his family, neighbors, relatives, and the poor during these days. The Muslim is encouraged to eat from his sacrifice, give charity from it to the poor, and gift from it to his wealthy neighbors. Thus, goodness spreads throughout the entire community. The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said: "The Days of Tashrīq are days of eating and drinking." (Narrated by Muslim). Allah, the Exalted, says {what means}: "And the camels and cattle We have appointed for you as among the symbols of Allah; for you therein is good." [Al-Ḥajj/36]. This good includes the good of both this world and the Hereafter.

What is considered a woman`s Awrah (parts of the body that must be concealed during prayer) while offering prayer, and is her foot part of it?

A woman`s whole body is considered an Awrah while offering prayer except the hands and the face. Thus, her foot is an Awrah as well. And Allah Knows Best.

The imam recited a verse containing a prostration of recitation (*sajdat al-tilāwah*) but did not prostrate. After the imam's *salām*, a follower (*maʾmūm*) performed a prostration of forgetfulness (*sujūd al-sahw*) because the imam had not performed the prostration of recitation. Is it permissible to go against the imam in this way?

All praise is due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon our master, the Messenger of Allah.
There is no sin on the imam if he omits the prostration of recitation (sujūd al-tilāwah), even deliberately. The maʾmūm (the one following the imam) is obliged to follow the imam in the prayer, so if the imam does not perform the prostration of recitation, it is not permissible for the follower to prostrate, because the imam is appointed only to be followed.
If the follower introduces a prostration after the imam’s salām but before his own salām, in a case where there is no prostration of forgetfulness (sujūd al-sahw), his prayer is invalidated if he knew it to be prohibited. Otherwise, he is excused on account of his ignorance and his prayer is not invalidated.
It is stated in Ḥāshiyat al-Imām al-Jamal ʿalā Fatḥ al-Wahhāb: “His statement: ‘So the omission of the hayʾāt (the non-essential sunnahs of the prayer) is not compensated for by prostration; if one prostrates for any of them deliberately, his prayer is invalidated, unless he is excused due to his ignorance.’”
Since this issue is one that is hidden from the laymen, as it is among the subtleties of knowledge, and the laymen are excused for ignorance of whatever is of such a nature, and their act of obedience is not invalidated because of it, it may be said that the prayer of one who has not acquired knowledge of this issue is not invalidated, with the necessity of learning the rulings remaining. As for after knowing it, the prayer is invalidated. And Allah Almighty knows best.

There are olive trees within the precincts of the mosque, and my father covers the costs of electricity, water, and other needs of the mosque. Is it permissible for him to take the olive harvest?

All praise is due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon our master, the Messenger of Allah.
If trees and fruit-bearing crops are planted in a mosque for the mosque itself, they may only be spent on the mosque’s interests. If they were planted for the public way (musabbalah), that is, for the general public, then any Muslim who enters the mosque may eat from them. If the planter’s intention is unknown, they are treated like those dedicated for public use, wherever custom has so run.
It is stated in Tuḥfat al-Muḥtāj (Vol.6/p.295): “The fruit of a tree planted for the mosque within it is not freely permitted without compensation. Rather, the imam spends its equivalent value on the mosque’s interests. The tree left its planter’s ownership here without any verbal declaration because of the evident indication. The case of planting it for the mosque excludes planting it as musabbalah, in which case eating from it without compensation is permissible, and likewise if his intention is unknown, where custom has so run. The tree may be uprooted from the mosque if the imam sees fit. Indeed, if he makes the plot a mosque while a tree stands in it, the imam may uproot it, even if the endower included it within the endowment (waqf).”
The father is a donor (mutabarriʿ), so he is not entitled to take anything in return for his donation to the mosque.
The Ministry of Awqāf is the body that supervises the affairs of endowments, so it must be consulted and the Sharīʿah and administrative instructions regulating such matters must be considered. And Allah Almighty knows best.

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