Narrated Al-Musaiyab: That his father (Hazn bin Wahb) went to the Prophet and the Prophet asked (him), "What is your name?" He replied, "My name is Hazn." The Prophet said, "You are Sahl." Hazn said, "I will not change the name with which my father has named me." Ibn Al-Musaiyab added: We have had roughness (in character) ever since. Narrated Al-Musaiyab: on the authority of his father similarly as above (i.e., 209).
Explanation & Benefits
Maulana Dawood Raz
Hadith Commentary:
This was the punishment for not accepting the advice of the Noble Messenger sallallahu alayhi wa sallam, and for not preferring the name "Sahl" (meaning gentleness) in place of "Huzn" (meaning harshness, severity), and for not realizing that the effect of a name is certainly found in the one who is named.
It is understood from this that if parents give a child an inappropriate name, then that name should later be changed to a good name.
Most common people give their children incorrect or mixed-up names.
Whereas the best names are those in which servitude to Allah the Exalted is found, such as Abdullah, Abdur-Rahman, etc.
It is also permissible and correct to name after the names of the noble Prophets, such as Ibrahim, Ismail, Ishaq, Isa, Musa, and so on.
Some people give names containing shirk; these are very wrong, such as Abdun-Nabi, Abdur-Rasul, Ghulam Jilani, and so on.
"Sahl" is the opposite of "Huzn".
That is, soft and level ground.
From this, it is also derived that if a great person gives some beneficial advice, it is better to accept it, even if it goes against the customs of one's forefathers.
The ways and customs of parents are only to be followed as long as they are in accordance with Islamic Shariah; otherwise, blind imitation of parents is of no value.
Hazrat Sa'id ibn al-Musayyib was among the major Tabi'in.
He was born in the second year of the caliphate of Umar (radi Allahu anhu), and passed away in the caliphate of Walid ibn Abd al-Malik in 94 AH.
His father, Hazrat Musayyib radi Allahu anhu, was among those who pledged allegiance under the tree.
The name of Musayyib's father was Huzn.
Huzn ibn Dhibib ibn Amr al-Qurashi al-Makhzumi, who was among the Muhajirun, and in the time of Jahiliyyah was counted among the nobles of Quraysh.
Source: Sahih Bukhari: Commentary by Maulana Dawood Raz, Page: 6190
Shaykh Abdul Sattar al-Hammad
Hadith Commentary:
(1)
Hazrat Huzn radi Allahu anhu did not accept the correct advice of the Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam, for which he received the consequence that his grandson Ibn al-Musayyib narrates, because "Huzn" means: difficult and harsh, whereas "Sahl" means: gentleness and softness.
(2)
From this, it is understood that a name certainly has an effect on the one who is named.
If parents, out of ignorance, give an incorrect name, it can be changed later.
The best name is one in which servitude ('ubudiyyah) to Allah Almighty is attributed, and then names can also be given after the names of the noble Prophets alayhim as-salam.
It is necessary to avoid polytheistic and incorrect names.
And Allah knows best.
Source: Hidayat al-Qari: Commentary on Sahih Bukhari, Urdu, Page: 6190
Shaykh Umar Farooq Saeedi
Benefits and Issues:
The meanings of the aforementioned names are as follows: ‘Aas means one who disobeys, one who does not accept.
‘Aziz means the Mighty and Dominant—this is a name of Allah ‘azza wa jall.
‘Atlah means harsh-natured.
Hakam means one who makes excellent judgments.
This is also a name of Allah ‘azza wa jall.
Ghurab refers to a crow, and it also carries the meaning of distance and separation.
A crow also eats impurities.
Habbab is a name of Shaytan, or of a snake, or it is also a type of snake.
Shihab refers to a flame of fire.
Harb means war or one who fights excessively.
Silm means one of peace and reconciliation.
Mudtaji‘ means one who lies down and sleeps.
Munba‘ith means one who wakes up and rises.
‘Afrah means barren land.
Khadirah means lush and verdant land.
Sha‘b al-Dalalah means a gorge that leads astray.
Sha‘b al-Huda means a gorge that leads to the straight path.
Banu al-Zaniyyah means the children of the immoral (fornicators).
Banu al-Rushdah means the children of the rightly guided.
Banu Maghwiyyah means the children of the misguided.
In the narration of Imam al-Bukhari rahimahullah: Huzn said, “No, I will not change the name that my father has given me.”
Ibn al-Musayyib rahimahullah says: Thus, because (the Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam’s suggestion was not accepted), the effects of sadness remained apparent among us.
Wa la hawla wa la quwwata illa billah.
See: (Sahih al-Bukhari, al-Adab, Chapter: The Name al-Huzn, Hadith: 6190)
Source: Sunan Abu Dawood – Commentary by Shaykh Umar Farooq Saeedi, Page: 4956