The Shar‘i Status and Explanation of the Name ‘Abd al-Hannān
❖ Question:
Some people name their children “ʿAbd al-Hannān”. Is “al-Ḥannān” among the Asmā’ al-Ḥusnā (Beautiful Names of Allah)?
❖ Answer by:
Shaykh Khidr Hayat ḥafiẓahullāh
◈ Meaning: Compassion and Mercy.
◈ As an Attribute: This quality is affirmed for Allah, the Lord of the Worlds, as evidenced in both the Qur’an and Hadith:
✔ Qur’anic Reference:
“وَحَنَانًا مِّن لَّدُنَّا وَزَكَاةً”
(Surah Maryam: 13)
“We granted him (Yahya) compassion and purity from Us.”
✔ Hadith Reference:
“ثم يتحنَّن الله برحمته على من فيها…”
(Musnad Ahmad: 11081)
“Then Allah will show mercy and compassion to the inhabitants (of Hell), and whoever had even an atom’s weight of faith in his heart will be taken out of Hell.”
◈ Meaning: One who shows deep compassion and mercy.
◈ As a Name: This form is not affirmed as a proper Name of Allah.
◈ Scholarly Principle:
Every name implies an attribute, but not every attribute can be turned into a name.
✔ Examples of Valid Names (Asmā’ al-Ḥusnā):
Al-ʿAẓīm, Ar-Raḥīm, Al-Karīm, etc.
✔ Examples of Attributes Not Used as Names:
Iradah (Will), Mashī’ah (Volition), Ghaḍab (Anger), etc. Though these are valid attributes of Allah, names cannot be derived from them.
◈ Since “al-Ḥannān” is not an established name of Allah, naming someone “ʿAbd al-Ḥannān” is not correct.
◈ Some scholars do count “al-Ḥannān” among the Beautiful Names of Allah. Based on this, if someone has already been named “ʿAbd al-Ḥannān”, they are not to be blamed due to the scholarly difference of opinion.
✔ Example:
A well-known teacher from Jamia Salafiyyah is named “ʿAbd al-Ḥannān”, and he is commonly referred to as Mufti ʿAbd al-Ḥannān ḥafiẓahullāh.
✔ Statement of Imām al-Khaṭṭābī رحمه الله:
“ومما يدعو به الناس خاصهم وعامهم، وإن لم تثبت به الرواية عن رسول الله ﷺ: الحنَّان”
(Kitāb al-Duʿā’, p. 105)
“Among the names by which both the common people and the elite invoke Allah—though it is not established by narration from the Messenger of Allah ﷺ—is: al-Ḥannān.”
Conclusion:
The name ʿAbd al-Ḥannān is not correct based on the stronger view that “al-Ḥannān” is not from the established Names of Allah. However, due to scholarly disagreement, those already bearing the name should not be censured.
❖ Question:
Some people name their children “ʿAbd al-Hannān”. Is “al-Ḥannān” among the Asmā’ al-Ḥusnā (Beautiful Names of Allah)?
❖ Answer by:
Shaykh Khidr Hayat ḥafiẓahullāh
✿ Points to Consider Regarding the Word "Ḥannān" ✿
① Ḥanān (حَنَانٌ – without shaddah on the letter "nūn")
◈ Meaning: Compassion and Mercy.
◈ As an Attribute: This quality is affirmed for Allah, the Lord of the Worlds, as evidenced in both the Qur’an and Hadith:
✔ Qur’anic Reference:
“وَحَنَانًا مِّن لَّدُنَّا وَزَكَاةً”
(Surah Maryam: 13)
“We granted him (Yahya) compassion and purity from Us.”
✔ Hadith Reference:
“ثم يتحنَّن الله برحمته على من فيها…”
(Musnad Ahmad: 11081)
“Then Allah will show mercy and compassion to the inhabitants (of Hell), and whoever had even an atom’s weight of faith in his heart will be taken out of Hell.”
② Ḥannān (حَنَّان – with shaddah on the letter "nūn")
◈ Meaning: One who shows deep compassion and mercy.
◈ As a Name: This form is not affirmed as a proper Name of Allah.
◈ Scholarly Principle:
Every name implies an attribute, but not every attribute can be turned into a name.
✔ Examples of Valid Names (Asmā’ al-Ḥusnā):
Al-ʿAẓīm, Ar-Raḥīm, Al-Karīm, etc.
✔ Examples of Attributes Not Used as Names:
Iradah (Will), Mashī’ah (Volition), Ghaḍab (Anger), etc. Though these are valid attributes of Allah, names cannot be derived from them.
✿ Regarding the Name "ʿAbd al-Ḥannān" ✿
③ Correct View:
◈ Since “al-Ḥannān” is not an established name of Allah, naming someone “ʿAbd al-Ḥannān” is not correct.
④ Matter of Scholarly Disagreement:
◈ Some scholars do count “al-Ḥannān” among the Beautiful Names of Allah. Based on this, if someone has already been named “ʿAbd al-Ḥannān”, they are not to be blamed due to the scholarly difference of opinion.
✔ Example:
A well-known teacher from Jamia Salafiyyah is named “ʿAbd al-Ḥannān”, and he is commonly referred to as Mufti ʿAbd al-Ḥannān ḥafiẓahullāh.
✔ Statement of Imām al-Khaṭṭābī رحمه الله:
“ومما يدعو به الناس خاصهم وعامهم، وإن لم تثبت به الرواية عن رسول الله ﷺ: الحنَّان”
(Kitāb al-Duʿā’, p. 105)
“Among the names by which both the common people and the elite invoke Allah—though it is not established by narration from the Messenger of Allah ﷺ—is: al-Ḥannān.”
Conclusion:
The name ʿAbd al-Ḥannān is not correct based on the stronger view that “al-Ḥannān” is not from the established Names of Allah. However, due to scholarly disagreement, those already bearing the name should not be censured.
