Q: Our fellow brother writes: We hear that some people name their children `Abdul-Rasul (the servant of the messenger), `Abdul-Nabi (the servant of the prophet), Abdul-Hassan (the servant of Al-Hassan) and the like. Please give us a ruling on this. A: This is not permissible, as a person should give names indicating servitude to Allah Alone, and it is prohibited to indicate other than Allah. Ibn Hazm Abu Muhammad, a well-known Imam (founder of a School of Jurisprudence) said: Scholars have unanimously agreed that it is not permissible to give names which signify servitude to other than Allah, i.e., it is forbidden to name one `Abdul-Harith, `Abd `Ali, `Abdul-Rasul (Peace be upon him), `Abdul- Ka`bah. All these names are not permissible, for they are of Jahiliyyah (pre-Islamic time of ignorance). Such names are also used by some Shiites: `Abdul- Al-Husayn, `Abdul- Al-Hasan, `Abd Al-`Aly. However, they are all prohibited as servitude is to Allah Alone (Glorified and Exalted be He). Thus, a person should use names such as `Abullah (The servant of Allah), `Abdul-Rahman (The servant of the Most Gracious), `Abdul- `Aziz (The servant of The All-Mighty), ` Abdul-Qadir (The servant of The All-Able), `Abdul-Karim (The servant of The Most Generous) and so on. One can also use names like Salih, Muhammad, Sa`d, Sa`id, Malik or other names known to be used by Muslims. Praise be to Allah, this matter is flexible, thus, people need not use names that indicate servitude to other than Allah.

(Part No. 1; Page No. 188)

  Q: Many people here in Egypt use names like : Hassan `Abdul-Nabi. Is it Haram (prohibited) or not to use these names? Should we change them? May Allah reward you well. A: Yes, using these names is Haram, for it is not permissible to give names like `Abdul-Rasul, `Abdul-Nabi, `Abd `Umar, `Abdul- Al-Husayn, Abdul- Al-Hasan, or `Abd `Aly This is Munkar (that which is unacceptable or disapproved of by Islamic law and Muslims of sound intellect), for names should indicate servitude to Allah Alone (may Allah be Glorified and Exalted). Thus, it is acceptable to use names like `Abdullah, `Abdul-Rahman, `Abdul-Quddus, `Abdul-Karim. Abu Muhammad Ibn Hazm (may Allah be Merciful to Him) said: Scholars unanimously agreed on the prohibition of any name signifying servitude to other than Allah, except for `Abdul-Muttalib. In conclusion, giving names which express servitude to other than Allah is prohibited by Ijma` (consensus). Hence, people should not use the names`Abdul-Nabi, `Abdul-Hussayn, `Abd `Ali, `Abd `Umar and the like. Instead, they should use `Abdullah, `Abdul-Rahman, `Abdil-Karim, `Abdul-Quddus, `Abdul-Malik, `Abdul-Salam or other names that show servitude to Allah (may Allah be Glorified and Exalted). However, if a person's children are given names like `Abdul-Nabi, Abdul- Al-Husayn, `Abdul- Al-Hasan, `Abd `Umar or similar names; they should change them to Shar`i (Islamically lawful) names. For example, they should change names like `Abdul-Nab to `Abd Rab Al-Nabi (the Lord of the Prophet), or `Abdul-Rasul to `Abd Rab Al-Rasul (peace be upon him), and they should change `Abdul- Al-Husayn to `Abd Rab Al-Husayn. They can also use names like `Abdullah or `Abdul-Rahman which are Shar`y (Islamically lawful) permissible names.

(Part No. 1; Page No. 189)