This excerpt is taken from the book published by Maktaba Darussalam's Department of Authorship and Compilation, Dictionary of Names and Rules and Issues of Newborns.
◈ Disagreement between parents in choosing a name:
If parents disagree on suggesting a name for the child, then the father's opinion will be given preference because choosing the name is the father's responsibility, as is clear from several mentioned hadiths and is explicitly stated in the Holy Quran that the boy's lineage will be attributed to the father, not the mother. Accordingly, Allah, the Glorious, said:
﴿ادْعُوهُمْ لِآبَائِهِمْ هُوَ أَقْسَطُ عِندَ اللَّهِ﴾
"Call them by [the names of] their fathers; it is more just in the sight of Allah."
Reference: (33-Al-Ahzab:5)
Similarly, in the previous pages, this hadith has been mentioned where 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 has been born to me, and I have named him after my forefather Ibrahim (peace be upon him)."
Reference: Sahih Muslim, Virtues, Chapter on His Mercy in Naming Children, Hadith: 2315 and Sunan Abi Dawood, Funerals, Chapter on Weeping for the Dead, Hadith: 3126
Bad Nicknames: It is absolutely not permissible for parents or others to call the child by bad and blameworthy nicknames such as Thugna, Bona, Bhenga, Gonga, Bhonra, and Gabriela, etc. Allah Almighty says:
﴿وَلَا تَنَابَزُوا بِالْأَلْقَابِ﴾
"Do not call one another by [offensive] nicknames."
Reference: (49-Al-Hujurat:11)
Because bad nicknames will not have a good effect on the boy, and it will create a sense of inferiority and rebellion against his environment in his heart, which will ultimately badly affect society.
◈ The Name and Kunya of the Holy Prophet ﷺ:
The scholars unanimously agree that it is permissible to name one's child after the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ because Hazrat Jabir رضي الله عنه said:
ولد لرجل منا غلام ، فسماه محمدا، فقال له قومه : لا ندعك تسمى باسم رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم فانطلق بابنه حامله على ظهره، فأتى به النبى صلى الله عليه وسلم فقال : يارسول الله! ولد لي غلام ، فسميته محمدا ، فقال لي قومي : لا ندعك تسمى باسم رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم فقال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم : تسموا باسمي ولا تكتنوا بكنيتي، فإنما أنا قاسم ، أقسم بينكم
A man among us had a son born to him, and he named his child Muhammad. Then the people of his tribe said that they would not leave him alone because he had named his son after the Messenger of Allah ﷺ. This companion carried his son on his back and went to the presence of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ and said, "O Messenger of Allah! Allah has granted me a son, so I named him Muhammad. Now my people say they will not leave me because I have named my son after the Messenger of Allah ﷺ." The Prophet ﷺ said, "Name him after me, but do not take my kunyah (patronymic), because I am Qasim (the distributor). Allah's given grace (the knowledge of revelation) is what I distribute among you."
The prohibition in this hadith regarding taking a kunyah, according to most scholars, was related to the lifetime of the Prophet (peace be upon him). However, after the passing of the Prophet, it is permissible to take the kunyah Abu al-Qasim. As mentioned in the hadith of Hazrat Ali (may Allah be pleased with him), in which he says:
قلت يارسول الله! إن ولد لى من بعدك ولد أسميه باسمك وأكنيه بكنيتك؟ قال : نعم
"I said: O Messenger of Allah! If after your death a son is born to me, can I name him and give him your kunyah? You said: That is fine."
Reference: Sahih al-Bukhari, Fard al-Khums, chapter of the verse ﴿فَأَنَّ لِلَّهِ خُمُسَهُ وَلِلرَّسُولِ﴾, Hadith: 3114 and Sahih Muslim, Al-Adab, chapter on the prohibition of taking a kunyah, Hadith: 2133, and the wording is his
Hamid bin Zinjo writes in Kitab al-Adab that he asked Ibn Abi Awlis about the fatwa of Imam Malik (may Allah have mercy on him) regarding a person who takes both the name and kunyah of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). He pointed to an elder who was present in their gathering and said that this was Muhammad bin Malik. Imam Malik (may Allah have mercy on him) had named him Muhammad and given him the kunyah Abu al-Qasim. Imam Malik used to say that combining the name and kunyah was only prohibited during the lifetime of the Prophet because if someone called a person (for example, his son) Muhammad Abu al-Qasim while the Prophet (peace be upon him) was nearby, it would cause unnecessary attention towards that person. Now that this risk and concern no longer exists, in my view, there is no harm in doing so. Therefore, this is the preferred opinion.
Reference: Sunan Abi Dawood, Al-Adab, chapter on the permission to combine them, Hadith: 4967 and Jami` at-Tirmidhi, Al-Adab, chapter on the dislike of combining, Hadith: 2843 and the hadith is authentic, see: Sahih Abi Dawood: 220/3
In any case, in today's era, it is permissible to take both the name and kunyah Abu al-Qasim of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) because the prohibitive hadiths were related to the lifetime of the Prophet to avoid confusion and misunderstanding that could arise at the time of calling or addressing.
✿ Attention parents: Considering the above details, it is necessary for parents to be very careful in choosing names for their children and to avoid names that diminish the child's dignity and self-respect or negatively affect their mental outlook.
Parents also have the responsibility to follow the example of their guide and leader, Hazrat Muhammad Mustafa (peace be upon him), in naming their children with kunyahs. They should select such sweet and beloved kunyahs in childhood that captivate hearts, please ears, and attract attention so that the child understands their personality from the beginning. This fosters love, devotion, and affection among children and their peers so that when they grow up, they interact with everyone around them with respect and politeness and show gentleness and kindness towards their companions.
Therefore, all Muslims should become accustomed to the great, unparalleled, and eternal Islamic methodology and raise their children according to Islamic principles because only by following the Messenger can we regain the lost greatness, honor, and natural status of the Muslim Ummah.
Indeed, this task is not difficult for Allah if we become sincere. For the sake of Allah's pleasure, shape yourself in the Islamic mold, wear the cloak of Islamic teachings, live your life accordingly, maintain your connection with the clear teachings of the Qur'an and Hadith, and fill your baskets with the flowers of Allah's and His Messenger's guidance. Keep your mind always fragrant and fresh with the scent of these blooming flowers, and adjust your nature and temperament according to them, illuminating the universe with the light of your actions. InshaAllah, we will regain our lost honor once again.
