This excerpt is taken from the book published by Maktaba Darussalam's Department of Writing and Compilation Dictionary of Names and Rulings and Issues of Newborns.
When should a name be given?
In every society around the world, there is a general habit and custom that after the birth of a child, the parents select the best name for him so that the child can be distinguished and identified among relatives and friends. Since Islam provides guidance on every aspect and field of life, it has also appreciated this practice and considered it a good trait. Moreover, it has issued many rulings regarding it, which clearly demonstrate the importance and necessity of this habit.
Islam has informed the Muslim Ummah about all the issues and rulings related to the newborn child and has introduced them to the qualities and customs through which the child not only gains respect, status, and rank in society but also receives help in upbringing and nurturing. Now we will mention some of the rulings and issues prescribed by Shariah regarding naming the child.
It is well-known and common to name the child on the seventh day after birth, but some ahadith provide evidence for naming even before that, as we will mention. Therefore, if there is a slight advancement or delay in this, there is no harm.
Hazrat Samurah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said:
كل غلام رهين بعقيقته، تذبح عنه يوم سابعه ويحلق ويسمى
Every child is pledged for his ‘Aqiqah’ which should be sacrificed on his behalf on the seventh day, and his head should be shaved, and he should be named.
Reference: Sunan Abi Dawood, Al-Dahaya, Chapter on Aqiqah, Hadith: 2838 and Jami’ al-Tirmidhi, Al-Adha, Chapter on Aqiqah, Hadith: 1522
From this hadith, it is understood that the child’s name should be given on the seventh day, but some ahadith indicate that the child can be named on the first day as well. For example, Hazrat Sahl bin Sa’d Sa’idi (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates:
أتي بالمنذر بن أبى أسيد إلى النبى صلى الله عليه وسلم حين ولد، فوضعه على فخذه وأبو أسيد جالس ... فلها النبى صلى الله عليه وسلم بشيء بين يديه، فأمر أبو أسيد بابنه فاحتمل من فخذ النبى فاستفاق النبى صلى الله عليه وسلم فقال: أين الصبي؟ فقال أبو أسيد : قلبناه يارسول الله ، قال : ما اسمه؟ قال: فلان، قال : ولكن اسمه المنذر
Mundhir bin Abu Usayd was born and brought to the Prophet (peace be upon him). He placed him on his blessed thigh. His father Abu Usayd was sitting there. Meanwhile, the Prophet (peace be upon him) became engaged in some work in front of him, and the child’s attention was diverted, so Abu Usayd gave some order regarding his son, and the child was taken off the Prophet’s thigh. When the Prophet (peace be upon him) finished, he asked, "Where is the child?" Abu Usayd replied, "O Messenger of Allah! We have sent him back." He asked, "What is the child’s name?" Abu Usayd said, "His name is so-and-so." The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, "No, his name is Mundhir."
Reference: Sahih al-Bukhari, Al-Adab, Chapter on Changing a Name to a Better One, Hadith: 6191 and Sahih Muslim, Al-Adab, Chapter on the Recommendation of Tahnīk for the Newborn, Hadith: 2149
Hazrat Anas (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said:
ولد لي الليلة غلام، فسميته باسم أبى إبراهيم
Tonight a boy was born to me. I have named him after my forefather Ibrahim (peace be upon him).
Reference: Sahih Muslim, Al-Fada’il, Chapter on His Mercy ﷺ to Children, Hadith: 2315 and Sunan Abi Dawood, Al-Jana’iz, Chapter on Weeping for the Dead, Hadith: 3126
❀ Summary: From the above noble ahadith, it is understood that there is flexibility in naming the child. Therefore, it is permissible to name the child on the day of birth, and it is also permissible to delay it up to three days or until the day of ‘Aqiqah’, i.e., the seventh day. It is also permissible to name the child before or after these times.
