The Shari‘ah Basis and Wisdom Behind Giving a Child More Than One Name
✍ Written by: Imran Ayub Lahori
◈ Ruling on Having More Than One Name
It is permissible to give a child more than one name. However, since the primary purpose of naming is identification and recognition, one name is generally sufficient and therefore better to suffice with. Yet, having multiple names is also allowed, as evidenced by the Prophet ﷺ being known by names, kunya, and titles.
It should also be remembered that when something has many names, it often signifies its greatness and status — just as is the case with the Names of Allah, the names of His Book, and the names of His Messenger ﷺ.
Allah says:
وَلِلَّهِ الْأَسْمَاءُ الْحُسْنَىٰ فَادْعُوهُ بِهَا [الأعراف: 180]
"And to Allah belong the most beautiful names, so call upon Him by them."
◈ The Prophet ﷺ Had Multiple Names
From Jabir ibn Mut‘im (رضي الله عنه), the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
لي خمسة أسماء: أنا محمد ، وأنا أحمد ، وأنا الماحى ، الذى يمحوا الله به الكفر ، وأنا الحاشر الذى يحشر الناس على قدمى ، و أنا العاقب
"I have five names: I am Muhammad, I am Ahmad, I am al-Mahi (the eraser) through whom Allah erases disbelief, I am al-Hashir (the gatherer) at whose feet people will be gathered, and I am al-‘Aqib (the last, i.e., the Seal of Prophets)."
[Bukhari: 3532 | Muslim: 1/15 | Ahmad: 4/80–84 | Tirmidhi: 284 | Darimi: 2/317 | Tabarani al-Kabir: 1520–1521 | Ibn Hibban: 6280 | Abu Nu‘aym in Dala’il: 1/62 | Sharh al-Sunnah: 3630 | Bayhaqi: 1/152]
Abu Musa (رضي الله عنه) reported that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
أنا محمد و أحمد والمقفي والحاشر و نبي الرحمة و نبي التوبة و نبي الملاحم
"I am Muhammad, Ahmad, al-Muqaffi, al-Hashir, the Prophet of Mercy, the Prophet of Repentance, and the Prophet of Battles."
[Muslim: 2355 | Ahmad: 4/395 | Ibn Hibban: 6281 | Abu Nu‘aym in al-Hilya: 5/99 | Hakim: 2/406 | Bayhaqi in Dala’il al-Nubuwwah: 1/156]
Hudhayfah (رضي الله عنه) also narrated that the Prophet ﷺ said:
أنا محمد و أحمد و نبي الرحمة و نبي التوبة والحاشر والمقفي و نبي الملاحم
"I am Muhammad, Ahmad, the Prophet of Mercy, the Prophet of Repentance, al-Hashir, al-Muqaffi, and the Prophet of Battles."
[Hasan: Ahmad: 5/405 | Tirmidhi in al-Shama’il: 368 | Sharh al-Sunnah: 363 | Ibn Hibban: 6282 | Majma‘ al-Zawa’id: 8/284]
◈ The Most Beloved Names to Allah
Among all names, Allah loves ‘Abdullah and ‘Abd al-Rahman the most.
From Ibn Umar (رضي الله عنهما), the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
إن أحب أسمائكم إلى الله عبد الله و عبد الرحمن
"Indeed, the most beloved of your names to Allah are ‘Abdullah and ‘Abd al-Rahman."
[Muslim: 2132, Kitab al-Adab: Bab al-Nahy ‘an al-Takanni bi-Abi al-Qasim wa Bayan ma Yustahabb min al-Asma’]
Conclusion:It is permissible and has precedent in the Sunnah to give a child more than one name. However, one name is sufficient for identity, and the best names remain those beloved to Allah, especially ‘Abdullah and ‘Abd al-Rahman.
