Correct Pronunciation of the Name of the Companion Anas رضي الله عنه
Source: Aḥkām wa Masāʾil in the Light of Qur’an and Hadith, Vol. 1, p. 545
Question:
Clarification is required regarding the correct pronunciation of the word “Anas.” I have read in a hadith: {عن أنسٍ}, while my cousin claims that the correct word is “Ans” — meaning both the nūn and sīn are silent. Is this correct?
Answer:
Al-ḥamdu lillāh, waṣ-ṣalātu was-salāmu ʿalā Rasūlillāh, ammā baʿd!
The name of the great Companion and servant of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ, Anas ibn Mālik رضي الله عنه, is to be pronounced with fatḥah (zabar) on both the hamzah (أ) and the nūn (ن).
The famous lexicographer, the author of al-Qāmūs, writes:
وَالْأَنَسُ مُحَرَّکَةٌَ الْجَمَاعَۃُ الْکَثِیْرَۃُ ، وَالْحَیُّ الْمُقِیْمُوْنَ وَبِلاَلاَمٍ خَادِمُ النَّبِیِّ ﷺ
“Al-Anas, with movement (i.e., fatḥah), refers to a large group or a settled tribe. Without the lām, it is the name of the servant of the Prophet ﷺ.”
However, the word “Ansa/Uns” (with sukoon on nūn, and hamzah with fatḥah or ḍammah) gives the meaning opposite to waḥshah (loneliness), and is a verbal noun.
The correct form is to pronounce the name of the Companion and servant of the Prophet ﷺ as “Anas” — with fatḥah on hamzah and fatḥah on nūn — not as “Ans” (with both nūn and sīn silent).
Hādhā mā ʿindī wallāhu aʿlam bis-ṣawāb.
Source: Aḥkām wa Masāʾil in the Light of Qur’an and Hadith, Vol. 1, p. 545
Question:
Clarification is required regarding the correct pronunciation of the word “Anas.” I have read in a hadith: {عن أنسٍ}, while my cousin claims that the correct word is “Ans” — meaning both the nūn and sīn are silent. Is this correct?
Answer:
Al-ḥamdu lillāh, waṣ-ṣalātu was-salāmu ʿalā Rasūlillāh, ammā baʿd!
The name of the great Companion and servant of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ, Anas ibn Mālik رضي الله عنه, is to be pronounced with fatḥah (zabar) on both the hamzah (أ) and the nūn (ن).
The famous lexicographer, the author of al-Qāmūs, writes:
وَالْأَنَسُ مُحَرَّکَةٌَ الْجَمَاعَۃُ الْکَثِیْرَۃُ ، وَالْحَیُّ الْمُقِیْمُوْنَ وَبِلاَلاَمٍ خَادِمُ النَّبِیِّ ﷺ
“Al-Anas, with movement (i.e., fatḥah), refers to a large group or a settled tribe. Without the lām, it is the name of the servant of the Prophet ﷺ.”
However, the word “Ansa/Uns” (with sukoon on nūn, and hamzah with fatḥah or ḍammah) gives the meaning opposite to waḥshah (loneliness), and is a verbal noun.
Conclusion
The correct form is to pronounce the name of the Companion and servant of the Prophet ﷺ as “Anas” — with fatḥah on hamzah and fatḥah on nūn — not as “Ans” (with both nūn and sīn silent).
Hādhā mā ʿindī wallāhu aʿlam bis-ṣawāb.
