This excerpt is taken from Sheikh Ghulam Mustafa Zaheer Amanpuri's book The Shariah Status of Blessings.
It is not established from any of the pious predecessors that they sought blessings from the blessed name of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, even though the forebears of the Ummah, i.e., the Companions, the Successors, and the Imams of the religion, were the greatest in honoring and revering him ﷺ, and the texts of the Quran and Hadith were well before them. Some say that it is permissible to seek blessings from the name "Muhammad" ﷺ. This is a view based on exaggeration. A brief and comprehensive review of the arguments presented in this regard is as follows:
Argument No. 1:
It is narrated from Sayyiduna Abu Umamah Bahili رضي الله عنه that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: [من ولد له مولود، فسماه محمدا تبرکا به؛ کان هو ومولوده فی الجنة]
Whoever names his newborn child Muhammad for blessings, both he and his child will be among the people of Paradise.
Reference: Fada'il al-Tasmiyah by Ibn Bukayr: 30, Mishkat al-Qadi al-Maristan: 453
This is a fabricated hadith.
The fabricator of this hadith is Hamid bin Hammad bin Mubarak Askari.
Hafiz Dhahabi رحمه الله says:
[المتهم بوضعه حامد بن حماد العسكري]
The accusation of fabricating this hadith lies with Hamid bin Hamad Askari.
Reference: Summary of the Book of Fabrications, p.35
Hafiz Ibn al-Jawzi, may Allah have mercy on him, mentioned it in
Reference: Al-Mawdu'at (157/1)
.Hafiz al-Dhahabi, may Allah have mercy on him, called it "fabricated" (man gharrat).
Reference: Mizan al-I'tidal: 447/1
Reference: Al-Tadwin fi Akhbar Qazwin lil-Rafi'i (343/2)
also has a very weak chain.◈ Abu Ahmad Habib bin Nasr bin Ziyad is not reliable.
◈ Makhool did not hear from Sayyiduna Abu Umamah, may Allah be pleased with him.
Evidence Number 2:
It is attributed to the Messenger of Allah ﷺ: [قال الله: وعزتي وجلالي، لا أعذب أحدا سمي باسمك بالنار، يا محمد]
Allah Almighty said: O Muhammad! By My Honor and Majesty! Whoever is named after you, I will not punish him with the torment of fire.
Reference: Mu'jam al-Shuyukh by al-Dhahabi: 3/42-43
This is a false and fabricated narration.
Hafiz al-Dhahabi, may Allah have mercy on him, says:
[نسخة نبيط؛ نسخة موضوعة بلا ريب، فلا تغتروا بعلوها، فاللکی تکلم فیہ ابن ماکولا وغیرہ، وشیخہ احمد؛ احسبہ ہو واضع النسخۃ]
There is no doubt that the Nabit version is fabricated. Do not be deceived by its excellence, because Ibn Makula and others have criticized Laki. In my opinion, the one who fabricated this version is his teacher Ahmad.
Reference: Mu'jam al-Shuyukh:43/3
Allama Muhammad Tahir Patni, may Allah have mercy on him, mentioned it in
Reference: Tadhkirat al-Mawdu'at (89)
.Similarly, Ibn Iraq Kanani, may Allah have mercy on him, mentioned it in
Reference: Tanziyat al-Shari'ah al-Marfu'ah 'an al-Akhbar al-Shani'ah al-Mawdu'ah (226/1)
.Argument Number 3:
It is narrated from Sayyiduna Anas bin Malik رضي الله عنه that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: [یوقف عبدان بین یدی اللہ، فیؤمر بہما إلی الجنۃ، فیقولان: ربنا بم استأہلنا دخول الجنۃ، ولم نعمل عملا تجازینا بہ الجنۃ؟ فیقول اللہ: أدخلا عبدی، فإنی آلیت علی نفسی ألا یدخل النار من اسمہ احمد ومحمد]
Two men will be presented before Allah Almighty, and Allah Almighty will order them to be admitted into Paradise. They will say: Our Lord! How did we become deserving of entering Paradise, while we did not perform any deed for which You would grant us Paradise? Allah Almighty will say: Admit these two servants of Mine into Paradise, because I have made it obligatory upon Myself that the person whose name is Muhammad or Ahmad will not enter Hellfire.
Reference: Fada'il al-Tasmiyah Ibn Bakir:1
This is a false narration.
① Ahmad bin Nasr bin Abdullah Zari' is a liar.
Hafiz Dhahabi رحمه الله says:
[ذاك الكذاب] This person is a liar.
Reference: (Mizan al-I'tidal:313/2)
② Sadaqah bin Musa bin Tamim is unknown.
Khatib Baghdadi رحمه الله says:
[هذا الشيخ مجهول، وقد روى عنه الذارع أحاديث منكرة، والحمل فيها عندي على الذارع]
He is an unknown Sheikh. Zari' has narrated false reports from him. In my view, the burden of this action lies on Zari's head.
Reference: Tarikh Baghdad:333/9
③ His father Musa bin Tamim bin Rabi' is also unknown.
Hafiz Ibn al-Jawzi, may Allah have mercy on him, says:
[هذا حديث لا أصل له] This narration has no basis.
Reference: (Al-Mawdu'at:157/1)
Hafiz Al-Dhahabi, may Allah have mercy on him, says:
[سنده مظلم، وهو موضوع] Its chain of transmission is obscure and fabricated.
Reference: Takhlees Kitab al-Mawdu'at, p. 34, Hadith: 52
Allama Ibn Qayyim, may Allah have mercy on him (751 AH), says:
[هذا مناقض، لما هو معلوم من دينه صلى الله عليه وسلم أن النار لا يجار منها بالأسماء والألقاب، وإنما النجاة منها بالإيمان والأعمال الصالحة]
This is clearly against the religion brought by the Noble Prophet ﷺ, because names and titles will not save anyone from the Fire of Hell, rather salvation depends solely on faith and righteous deeds.
Reference: (Al-Manar al-Muneef fi al-Sahih wal-Dhaif, p. 57)
Evidence Number 4:
Hafiz Suyuti, may Allah have mercy on him, narrates it mursal from his chain:
[إذا كان يوم القيامة؛ نادى مناد: يا محمد، قم، فادخل الجنة بغير حساب، فيقوم كل من اسمه محمد، فيتوهم أن النداء له، فلكرامة محمد لا يمنعون]
On the Day of Resurrection, a caller will proclaim: O Muhammad! Stand up and enter Paradise without reckoning. Upon this, every person named Muhammad will rise in this delusion that his name is also Muhammad. But no one will be prevented from entering Paradise due to the blessing of the name Muhammad.
Reference: Al-Alay al-Masnu'ah fi al-Ahadith al-Mawdu'ah: 97/1
This is a fabricated narration.
Hafiz Suyuti, may Allah have mercy on him, says:
[ہذا معضل، سقط منہ عدۃ رجال]
This chain of narration is problematic (disconnected), several narrators have been omitted.
There are also many other defects in it.
Ibn Iraq Kanani, may Allah have mercy on him, says:
[قال بعض أشياخي: ہذا حديث موضوع بلا شک]
Some of my teachers said: This hadith is undoubtedly fabricated.
Reference: Tanzeeh al-Shari'ah: 226/1
Argument number 5:
It is narrated from Sayyiduna Ali ibn Abi Talib, may Allah be pleased with him: [إذا سمیتم الولد محمدا؛ فأکرموہ وأوسعوا لہ المجلس، ولا تقبحوا لہ وجھا]
When you name a child Muhammad, then honor him, keep a spacious gathering for him, and do not mention the defects of his face.
Reference: Fada'il al-Tasmiyah Ibn Bukair: 26
This is a false narration.
Hafiz Dhahabi, may Allah have mercy on him, declared it ”منکر المتن“.
Reference: (Siyar A'lam al-Nubala: 386/9)
He also says:
[عبد اللہ بن احمد بن عامر، عن أبیہ، عن علی الرضا، عن آبائہ، بتلک النسخۃ الموضوعۃ الباطلۃ، ما تنفک عن وضعہ أو وضع أبیہ]
Abdullah bin Ahmad bin Amir narrates this fabricated and false version from his father, Ali Rida, and their ancestors, which is either his own invention or that of his father.
Reference: (Mizan al-I'tidal: 390/2)
Regarding Abdullah bin Ahmad bin Amir, Hasan bin Ali Zahri, may Allah have mercy on him, says: [کان أمیا، لم یکن بالمرضی] He was an ignorant and unreliable person.
Reference: (Su'alat al-Suhmi by al-Daraqutni: 339, Tarikh Baghdad by al-Khatib: 394/9)
Reference: The chain in Tarikh Baghdad (90/3) is also false.
① Abu Ismail Ali bin Husayn
② Husayn bin Hasan
③ Muhammad bin Qasim and
④ all including his father require authentication.
① Abu Ismail Ali bin Husayn
② Husayn bin Hasan
③ Muhammad bin Qasim and
④ all including his father require authentication.
Reference: The chain in Musnad Bazzar (Kashf al-Astar: 413/2) is also very weak.
Nothing is known about Ghassan bin Ubaidullah Rasi.
Yusuf bin Nafi' bin Abdullah bin Nafi' ”مجہول الحال“ is mentioned only by Ibn Hibban, may Allah have mercy on him, in
Nothing is known about Ghassan bin Ubaidullah Rasi.
Yusuf bin Nafi' bin Abdullah bin Nafi' ”مجہول الحال“ is mentioned only by Ibn Hibban, may Allah have mercy on him, in
Reference: "Al-Thiqat: 281/9"
.Evidence Number 6:
It is narrated from Sayyiduna Jabir bin Abdullah رضي الله عنهما that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: [إذا سمیتموہ محمدا؛ فلا تجبہوہ، ولا تحرموہ، ولا تقبحوہ، بورک فی محمد، وفی بیت فیہ محمد، ومجلس فیہ محمد]
When you name a child Muhammad, neither be harsh with him, nor belittle him, nor speak ill of him. Also, the name Muhammad brings blessing to the house where a child named Muhammad lives and to the gathering where a person named Muhammad is present.
Reference: Al-Ghara’ib al-Multaqata by Ibn Hajar: 697/1
This is a fabricated narration.
① Sufyan bin Waki’ is weak.
② Sufyan bin Harun is not authenticated by the judge.
③ Abu al-Zubair Makki’s chain is continuous.
④ The biography of Yahya bin Muhammad bin Yahya Nahawandi is not found.
Evidence Number 7:
It is narrated from Sayyiduna Ali bin Abi Talib رضي الله عنه that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
[ما اجتمع قوم فی مشورۃ معہم رجل، اسمہ محمد، ولم یدخلوہ فی مشورتہم؛ إلا لم یبارک لہم فیہا]
A people who gather for consultation and among them is a person named Muhammad, but they do not include him in the consultation, then there will be no blessing in that consultation.
Reference: Fada’il al-Tasmiyah by Ibn Bukayr: 9, Muwaddah Awhaam al-Jam’ wal-Tafreeq by al-Khatib: 446/1
The chain is very weak.
Who is Ahmad bin Hafs Jazari? Unknown.
In one chain, he is mentioned as Ahmad al-Shami.
Imam Ibn Adi, may Allah have mercy on him, says:
[منکر الحدیث، و لیس بالمعروف] He is a denier of hadith and an unknown person.
Reference: (Al-Kamil fi Dhu'afa al-Rijal:141/1)
In the chain of transmission of Daylami, Ahmad bin Ja'far Harani is mentioned.
Reference: (Al-Alay al-Masnu'ah lil-Suyuti:96/1)
He is an unknown narrator.In the history of Ibn al-Najjar, a fabricated chain is also mentioned regarding this.
Regarding Abu Bakr Muhammad bin Ahmad bin Muhammad Hafid, Hafiz Dhahabi, may Allah have mercy on him, says: [ہو متہم]
He has been accused in the narration of hadith.
Reference: Mizan al-I'tidal:461/3
He also says:
[لیس بثقۃ] He is not trustworthy.
Reference: (Siyar A'lam al-Nubala:389/9)
Hafiz Suyuti also called him ”متہم“.
Reference: Al-Alay al-Masnu'ah:96/1
Reference: Fada'il al-Tasmiyah by Ibn Bukayr (4)
The narration is fabricated.The condition of Abdullah bin Ahmad bin Amir Tai and his father Ahmad bin Amir Tai has already been explained; this narration is their action. Thus, this narration became unreliable, which is why Imam Ibn Adi, may Allah have mercy on him, called it "not preserved."
Reference: (Al-Kamil fi Dhu'afa al-Rijal:140/1)
Evidence number 8:
Muhammad bin Uthman Amri narrates from his father with a raised chain: [ما ضر أحدکم لو کان فی بیتہ محمد ومحمدان وثلاثۃ]
If there are one, two, or three persons named Muhammad in any of your homes, no harm will come to you.
Reference: (Al-Tabaqat Al-Kubra by Ibn Sa'd:54/5)
The narration is mursal; Uthman Amri is not a companion, he is not narrating directly from the Prophet ﷺ.
Proof Number 9:
It is narrated from Sayyiduna Jabir bin Abdullah رضي الله عنهما that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: [ما أطعم طعام علی مائدۃ، ولا جلس علیہا، وفیہا اسمی؛ إلا قدسوا کل یوم مرتین]
Whoever eats at any dining table and sits in any gathering in which my name is mentioned, they will be purified twice every day.
Reference: Al-Kamil by Ibn Adi:275/1, Muwadhah Awhaam Al-Jam' wal-Tafreeq by Al-Khatib:447/1, Al-‘Ilal Al-Mutanahiya by Ibn Al-Jawzi: 267
This is a false narration.
① Ahmad bin Kinanah Al-Shami is a denier of hadith.
Imam Ibn Adi رحمه الله says: [منکر الحدیث، و لیس بالمعروف] He is a denier of hadith and an unknown person.
Reference: (Al-Kamil:274/1)
② Yahya bin Abdur Rahman bin Najiyah Al-Harani’s authentication is required!
Imam Ibn Adi رحمه الله has called this narration "not reliable."
Proof Number 10:
A mursal narration is reported from Sayyiduna Jabir bin Abdullah رضي الله عنهما: [لیس أحد من أہل الجنۃ؛ إلا یدعی باسمہ، إلا آدم]
Every person in Paradise, except Sayyiduna Adam عليه السلام, will be called by the name of the Prophet ﷺ.
Reference: Kitab al-Majruhīn by Ibn Hibban: 76/3, Tarikh Baghdad by Al-Khatib: 463/3
This is a fabricated narration.
① Wahb bin Hafs Harani is a liar.
Abu Urooba, may Allah have mercy on him, says:
[کذاب، یضع الحدیث] He was a liar and used to fabricate hadiths on his own.
Reference: Al-Kamil by Ibn Adi: 344/8
Imam Ibn Adi, may Allah have mercy on him, says:
[کل أحادیثہ مناکیر، غیر محفوظة] All of his narrations are false and unreliable.
Reference: (Al-Kamil fi Dhu'afa al-Rijal: 347/8)
Imam Darqutni, may Allah have mercy on him, says:
[یضع الحدیث] He used to fabricate hadiths on his own.
Reference: (Tarikh Baghdad by Al-Khatib: 463/13)
This narration has been mentioned by Hafiz Ibn al-Jawzi, may Allah have mercy on him, in
Reference: Al-Mawdu'at (257/3)
.
Reference: Al-Kamil by Ibn Adi (74/5)
The chain is also false. Sheikh bin Abi Khalid Sufi Basri was a fabricator of false hadiths.Imam Ibn Adi, may Allah have mercy on him, says:
[شیخ ابن أبی خالد ہذا؛ لیس بمعروف، وہذہ الأحادیث التی رواہا عن حماد بہذا الإسناد؛ بواطیل کلھا] Sheikh bin Abi Khalid is unknown. All narrations reported from Hammad through him are false.
Imam Ibn Hibban, may Allah have mercy on him, says:
[لا یجوز الاحتجاج بہ (شیخ ابن أبی خالد) بحال]
Under no circumstances is it permissible to take evidence from the narration of Sheikh bin Abi Khalid.
Reference: Kitab al-Majruhīn:364/1
There are more defects in this narration.
Evidence Number 11:
It is narrated from Sayyiduna Ali رضي الله عنه that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: [أھل الجنۃ؛ لیست لھم کنی إلا آدم، فإنہ یکنی بأبی محمد توقیرا وتعظیما]
Except for Sayyiduna Adam عليه السلام, no one in Paradise will have a kunyah (patronymic). The kunyah of Adam عليه السلام will be Abu Muhammad as a sign of respect and honor.
Reference: Al-Kamil by Ibn ‘Adi:566/7, Al-Mawdu‘at by Ibn al-Jawzi:258/3
This is a fabricated narration, which was fabricated by Abu al-Hasan Muhammad bin Muhammad bin al-Ash‘ath al-Kufi, as Imam Ibn ‘Adi رحمه الله stated.
Imam Darqutni رحمه الله says:
[آیۃ من آیات ذلک الکتاب، ھو وضعہ، أعنی العلویات]
This book called Al-‘Alawiyyat is one of the signs of Allah Almighty. It was fabricated by the same (Abu al-Hasan al-Kufi).
Reference: (Su’alat al-Sahmi:52)
Evidence Number 12:
It is attributed to the Holy Prophet ﷺ:
[من کان لہ ذو بطن، فأجمع أن یسمیہ محمدا؛ رزقہ اللہ غلاما، وما کان اسم محمد فی بیت؛ إلا جعل اللہ فی ذلک البیت برکۃ]
Whoever intends to name his child with a stomach named Muhammad, Allah will grant him a son, and in the house where there is a person named Muhammad, Allah places blessings in that house.
Reference: Fada'il al-Tasmiyah bi-Ahmad wa Muhammad by Ibn Bukayr:11
It is a false chain.
① Muhammad bin Abdul Rahman Jad'ani is weak.
② It is a narration from Ibn Jurayj.
The chain above Ibn Jurayj is missing. There are other defects in this chain as well.
Evidence Number 13:
It is narrated from Sayyiduna Abdullah bin Umar رضي الله عنهما that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
[من ولد لہ ثلاثۃ فلم یسم أحدہم محمدا فھو من الجفاء، وإذا سمیتموہ محمدا فلا تسبوہ، ولا تجبہوہ، ولا تعنتوہ، ولا تضربوہ، وشرفوہ وعظموہ وأکرموہ وبروا قسمہ]
Whoever has three sons and does not name any of them "Muhammad," then this is disloyalty to (the Prophet ﷺ). When you name your child Muhammad, do not insult him, do not disgrace him, do not be harsh with him, do not beat him, but treat him with honor and dignity, respect him, and consider him truthful in his oath.
Reference: Al-Kamil by Ibn Adi: 437/3
The narration is false and rejected.
① Khalid bin Yazid Umari is abandoned and a fabricator.
② Qattan bin Ibrahim is weak.
Imam Ibn Adi رحمه الله has declared this hadith as "rejected."
Evidence Number 14:
It is attributed to Sayyiduna Ali ibn Abi Talib رضي الله عنه: [من کان لہ حمل، فنوی أن یسمیہ محمدا؛ حولہ اللہ ذکرا، وإن کان أنثی]
Whoever is pregnant and intends the name Muhammad for the child, Allah Almighty will change it into a son, even if it is a daughter.
Reference: Al-Alā'i al-Maṣnū'ah by al-Suyuti: 95/1
This is a false narration.
Wahb ibn Wahb has been declared a liar, deceiver, enemy of Allah, and one who fabricated hadiths and attributed them to the Messenger of Allah ﷺ by the hadith scholars.
Reference: Mīzān al-I‘tidāl by al-Dhahabi: 353/4
The chain up to Zaid ibn Marwan requires verification.
Evidence Number 15:
It is narrated from Hisham bin Urwah, may Allah have mercy on him: [دخلت علی المنصور أمیر المؤمنین، فقال: کم ولدا لک یا ہشام؟ قلت: محمدا، وفلانا، وفلانا، فقال لی: کیف سمیت ولدک محمدا، وترکت الزبیر وعروۃ؟ قلت: تبرکا باسم النبی صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم، فقال: ائت بموضع البرکۃ والتکریم، قال: حدثنی أبی محمد بن علی، قال: سمعت أبی علیا، یقول: سمعت أبی عبد اللہ بن عباس یقول: من کان لہ حمل، فنوی أن یسمیہ محمدا؛ أدخل إن شاء اللہ الجنۃ]
I came to Amir al-Mu'minin Mansur, he asked: Hisham! How many children do you have? I said: Muhammad and so-and-so, so-and-so. He said: Why did you name him Muhammad, leaving aside Zubair and Urwah? I said: Because of the blessing of the name of the Prophet ﷺ. He asked: What is the evidence for this blessing and respect? I said: My father Muhammad bin Ali told me that he heard Sayyiduna Ali, may Allah be pleased with him, say that he heard Sayyiduna Abdullah bin Abbas, may Allah be pleased with them both, say: Whoever conceives a child and intends to name him Muhammad, then, God willing, he will be admitted to Paradise.
Reference: Fada'il al-Tasmiyah Ibn Bukair:13
This is a false narration. Nasr bin Abi al-Fath Khorasani and Muhammad bin Abdullah bin Raziq are both unknown and obscure.
Evidence Number 16:
It is narrated from Ata Khorasani, may Allah have mercy on him: [ما سمی مولود فی بطن أمہ محمدا؛ إلا أذکر]
The child whose name is given as Muhammad while still in the mother's womb will be a son.
Reference: Al-Ajwibah Al-Mardiyyah by Al-Sakhawi: 381/1, 989/3
The narration is without a chain (weak).
Evidence Number 17:
Wahb bin Wahb says: I had intended to name all my seven children Muhammad during pregnancy, and by the blessing of this, all were born as boys.
Reference: Al-Alai Al-Masnu’ fi Al-Ahadith Al-Mawdu’ah by Al-Suyuti: 95/1
Wahb bin Wahb himself is a great liar, and his statement is not trustworthy.
All the hadiths that have come regarding the virtue, benefits, and blessings of the name Muhammad are entirely false and fabricated.
Hafiz Ibn al-Jawzi, may Allah have mercy on him, says:
[قد روی فی ھذا الباب أحادیث، لیس فیھا ما یصح]
None of the narrations mentioned in this chapter are authentic.
Reference: Al-Mawdu’at: 158/1
Hafiz Al-Dhahabi, may Allah have mercy on him, says:
[ھذہ أحادیث مکذوبۃ]
All these narrations are false.
Reference: (Mizan al-I’tidal: 129/1)
Allama Ibn Qayyim, may Allah have mercy on him, says:
[فی ذلک جزء، کلہ کذب]
There is an entire booklet on this subject which is a collection of lies.
Reference: (Al-Manar Al-Munif, p. 52)
Allama Abu al-Tahir Muhammad bin Ya’qub Firozabadi, may Allah have mercy on him, says:
[لم یصح فیہ شیء]
No narration is established regarding this matter.
Reference: (رسالة في بيان ما لم يثبت فيه حديث من الأبواب:ص9)
Allama Halabi, may Allah have mercy on him, says:
[قال بعضھم: ولم یصح فی فضل التسمیۃ بمحمد حدیث، وکل ما ورد فیہ؛ فھو موضوع]
Some scholars say that there is no authentic hadith regarding the virtue of the name Muhammad; all the narrations mentioned in this regard are fabricated.
Reference: (السيرة الحلبية:121/1)
Allama Zarqani, may Allah have mercy on him, says:
[ذکر بعض الحفاظ أنہ لم یصح فی فضل التسمیۃ بمحمد حدیث]
Some memorizers say that there is no authentic hadith regarding the virtue of the name Muhammad.
Reference: شرح الزرقاني على المواهب اللدنية:307/7
Ibn Iraq Kanani, may Allah have mercy on him, says:
[قال الأبی: لم یصح فی فضل التسمیۃ بمحمد حدیث، بل قال الحافظ أبو العباس تقی الدین الحرانی: کل ما ورد فیہ؛ فھو موضوع]
Allama Abi says that no hadith is established regarding the virtue of the name Muhammad; rather, according to Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah, all the narrations mentioned in this regard are fabricated.
Reference: تنزيه الشريعة:174/1
Conclusion:
All the arguments presented for seeking blessings through the name Muhammad are based on mere opinions; there is no solid evidence regarding this. Therefore, saying that it is permissible to seek blessings through the name Muhammad is an unfounded statement.
