Question :
What names are considered names of Tazkiyah? Are such names forbidden or disliked? What is the opinion of Sharia regarding the following names: Yaqeen (Indubitability), Karam (Generosity) and Zaha (Arrogance)?
The Answer :
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.
First of all, Tazkiyah is an Arabic-Islamic term alluding to "Tazkiyat al-Nafs" "Sanctification" or "Purification of the self."
What is disliked about names of Tazkiyah is intending to purify one`s-self by them. It is as if the person carrying such name is saying that the qualities of the name itself in terms of piety, righteousness and faith are embodied in him/her. Therefore, Zainab, daughter of Umm Salama, reported: My name first was Barra. Allah's Messenger (Peace and blessings be upon him) gave me the name of Zainab. Then there entered (into the house of Allah's Prophet as a wife) Zainab, daughter of Jahsh, and her name was also Barra, and he gave her the name of Zainab." {Related by Muslim Hadith No. (2141)}.
However, if the holder of such name doesn`t take pride in himself nor is on high horse hobnobbing with people, then there is no sin in having that name. Rather, it is preferred to give good names carrying the meaning of goodness and righteousness hoping that these are reflected in the character of the name holder.
Commenting on the characteristics of a good name, Al-Mawardi (May Allah have mercy on him) says: "The name is derived from the names of religious people-Prophets, Messengers, the righteous servants of Allah-with the intention of drawing closer to Allah through loving these people, revitalizing their names and emulating Allah, Who chose those names for them, and what was reported in the texts of Sharia to this end. In addition, it was reported that the most beloved names to Allah are Abdullah and the like." {Nasihat Al-Molouk, pp.167}.
In conclusion, there is no sin in calling a newborn Yaqeen or Karam, however, the name Zaha indicates pride and vanity, as stated in the Arabic glossaries, thus we don`t recommend naming a child with it. And Allah The Almighty Knows Best.