Ruling on Naming a Child “Zafar” in Light of 2 Hadiths
Based on: Fatawa Arkan-e-Islam
Al-ḥamdu lillāh, waṣ-ṣalātu was-salāmu ʿalā Rasūlillāh, ʾAmma baʿd!
In Islam, it is prohibited to assign names that may lead to confusion in meaning or convey a negative connotation in certain contexts. The Prophet ﷺ provided us with guidance that aids in selecting appropriate names.
Sayyiduna Samurah ibn Jundub رضي الله عنه narrates:
قال رسول اللہ صلی اللہ علیہ وآلہ وسلم تسم غلامک رباحا ولا یسارا ولا أفلح ولا نافعا
(Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim: 2136)
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
“Do not name your children Aflah, Rabah, Yasar, or Nafi’.”
In another narration by Sayyiduna Samurah ibn Jundub رضي الله عنه, the statement of the Prophet ﷺ is found with further elaboration:
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
“The four words most beloved to Allah are:
Subḥānallāh,
Alḥamdulillāh,
Lā ilāha illa Allāh, and
Allāhu Akbar.
One may begin with any of them; there is no harm in that.
And do not name your children Yasar (ease), Rabah (success), Najeeḥ (one who is saved), or Aflah (one who is successful), for it may happen that someone inquires:
‘Is Yasar or Rabah or Najeeḥ or Aflah here?’
and the reply would be:
‘He is not here,’
thus producing an unintended negative impression.”
(Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim: 2137)
The name “Zafar” also means victory or success, and shares a similar positive meaning as the names mentioned above. However, a situation may arise where one has to respond in a way that leads to unintended negativity:
“Is Zafar at home?”
– Response: “Zafar is not at home.”
– Implication: As if success is not at home.
Such phrases can unintentionally create a negative impression. Hence, it is advised to avoid names that could, in certain contexts, imply something undesirable.
However, if a prefix or suffix is added to such names, like:
✔ Zafar Ahmad
✔ Yasar Ahmad
then this potential negative impression can be avoided. In such cases, when someone responds:
“Zafar Ahmad is not at home,”
it will be clearly understood as referring to a specific individual, rather than implying a general sense of success or failure.
وَالله أَعْلَم
وَبِاللهِ التَّوْفِيق
Based on: Fatawa Arkan-e-Islam
✿ Ruling on the Name "Zafar"
Al-ḥamdu lillāh, waṣ-ṣalātu was-salāmu ʿalā Rasūlillāh, ʾAmma baʿd!
In Islam, it is prohibited to assign names that may lead to confusion in meaning or convey a negative connotation in certain contexts. The Prophet ﷺ provided us with guidance that aids in selecting appropriate names.
✿ Instruction of the Prophet ﷺ: Avoidance of Certain Names
Sayyiduna Samurah ibn Jundub رضي الله عنه narrates:
قال رسول اللہ صلی اللہ علیہ وآلہ وسلم تسم غلامک رباحا ولا یسارا ولا أفلح ولا نافعا
(Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim: 2136)
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
“Do not name your children Aflah, Rabah, Yasar, or Nafi’.”
✿ Detailed Explanation and Reason
In another narration by Sayyiduna Samurah ibn Jundub رضي الله عنه, the statement of the Prophet ﷺ is found with further elaboration:
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
“The four words most beloved to Allah are:
Subḥānallāh,
Alḥamdulillāh,
Lā ilāha illa Allāh, and
Allāhu Akbar.
One may begin with any of them; there is no harm in that.
And do not name your children Yasar (ease), Rabah (success), Najeeḥ (one who is saved), or Aflah (one who is successful), for it may happen that someone inquires:
‘Is Yasar or Rabah or Najeeḥ or Aflah here?’
and the reply would be:
‘He is not here,’
thus producing an unintended negative impression.”
(Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim: 2137)
✿ Shar‘i Status of the Name "Zafar"
The name “Zafar” also means victory or success, and shares a similar positive meaning as the names mentioned above. However, a situation may arise where one has to respond in a way that leads to unintended negativity:
“Is Zafar at home?”
– Response: “Zafar is not at home.”
– Implication: As if success is not at home.
Such phrases can unintentionally create a negative impression. Hence, it is advised to avoid names that could, in certain contexts, imply something undesirable.
✿ Permissibility of Using Compound Names
However, if a prefix or suffix is added to such names, like:
✔ Zafar Ahmad
✔ Yasar Ahmad
then this potential negative impression can be avoided. In such cases, when someone responds:
“Zafar Ahmad is not at home,”
it will be clearly understood as referring to a specific individual, rather than implying a general sense of success or failure.
وَالله أَعْلَم
وَبِاللهِ التَّوْفِيق
