Islamic Names for new born And Important Steps to follow
Every child is born Muslim
Hadith – Bukhari 2.440, Narrated Ibn Shihab Abu Huraira, narrated that the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said, “Every child is born with a true faith (i.e. to worship none but Allah Alone) but his parents convert him to Judaism or to Christianity or to Magainism, as an animal delivers a perfect baby animal. Do you find it mutilated?”
Then Abu Huraira recited the holy verse: “So set you (O Muhammad SAW) your face towards the religion of pure Islamic Monotheism Hanifa (worship none but Allâh Alone) Allâh’s Fitrah (i.e. Allâh’s Islâmic Monotheism), with which He has created mankind. No change let there be in Khalq*illâh (i.e. the Religion of Allâh Islâmic Monotheism), that is the straight religion, but most of men know not. [Tafsir At*Tabarî, Vol 21, Page 41] ” (30.30).
HOW TO SELECT A SUITABLE NAMES FOR YOUR BABY, Islamic Names
At the time when there is any new arrival of a child in any family it is a great source of happiness and joy for all closely related members of the family. At this time of jubilant occasion and as a mater of festive nature all close relative come to see the new born and happily congratulate the parents and the elders of the family of the newborn. Giving a new Islamic names for the newborn baby is the task full of excitement for the family, so at this time all close relatives and the family members and their close friend also participate in this ritual relating to giving the baby any unique name. It is the trend found in every parent believing meaning as something important aspect when selecting any special and meaningful name, now a day with the help of internet selection of any name of choice can be selected from the varieties different name. It is very much helpful for the parents look for the baby names. It can be selected out of a wide range from every part of the globe with accurate details regarding the origin of the name and meanings in full details.
As each person believes that name play a significant role in the life of an individual, so to arrange the new born future in some bright and being a good Muslim, his Islamic names have the impact on the individual personality. For this reason a great number of parents when going to decide the name of their newborn they relate it with the name of their Holy prophet Mohammad. With the global research and according to modern research based on Islamic child names, this is found and declared that “Mohammad” has found the most admired name used throughout the world by the majority of Muslim group of people.
Islam has clearly formulated a number of measures to be taken by the parents and their relatives at the birth of a child. These rules are to be observed so that since the very birth the child and his parents may live under the beneficial influence of the Islamic tradition.
The main conditions to be satisfied after the birth of a child
1. CONGRATULATIONS AND THE ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE GREAT NEWS.
A Muslim should inform all his relatives and friends on the birth of his child. This strengthens the ties of kindred and friendship between people, gives them a strong sense of unity in joy and underlines the participation of everyone in the happy event.
The Holy Qur’an says many times about the necessity and importance of the announcement about the birth of a child into this world. Thus, the Lord, Allah is the Most Highest, tells about the Annunciation of Prophet Zachariah (peace be upon him): “And as he stood praying in the Shrine, the angels called out to him, saying: “Allah bids you rejoice in the birth of John!” (the Holy Qur’an, 3:39)
One should congratulate the child’s father in the following Dua:
“Baarakyal-laahu lyaka fil-mawhuubi lyk’, wa shakartal-waahiba wa balaga ashuddahu wa rusik’ta birrah”.
Here is the translation: “May the Lord bestow His mercy on him, who is given to you. Render thanks to Him, who has given him to you. May he [your child] reach full ripeness and may you be endowed with his obedience and love”.
The child’s father should response to the congratulation in the following way:
“Baarakyal-laahu lyaka wa baarakyal-laahu ‘alayk’” (or “Adjzalyal-laahu sawaabak’”).
The translation runs as follows: “May Allah bestow His blessing upon you” (or “may Allah multiply your reward”).
The above mentioned du’a can be read both at the birth of a boy and at the birth of a girl.
2.RECITATION OF AZAN/ADHAN
According to the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) right after the birth of a child one should read azan into his right ear.
Hazrat Abu Rafi’ said: “I saw the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) reading azan into Imam Hussein’s(A.S.) ear after Bibi Fatima (A.S.) had born him” (the holy ahadith from Abu Daud and at-Tirmizhi; “hassan”, “sahih”.)
Hazrat Al-Bayhaqy transmitted the following hadith:” Djinn Ummus-sibyan will not harm the child, if the father reads azan in the child’s right ear. (hadith from al-Hassan ibn ‘Ali).
The following hadith was narrated by Hazrat Ibn ‘Abbas:” On the birthday of al-Hassan ibn ‘Ali (the son of ‘Ali, Prophet Muhammad’s grandson) the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) read azan in his right ear.”
The present conditions are very important, for Divine and sacred words should be the first words that a child hears. These words symbolize the greatness of the Creator, Allah is the Most Highest, and contain the main formula of monotheism, the recognition of which makes man a Muslim. From this very moment the words of azan and ikamat should accompany the child throughout his life, helping him and elucidating his path.
It is also known that Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) pronounced the surah “al-Ikhlas” in the ear of a new-born child (the holy ahadith from Ibn Razzin).
3. PREPARING THE CHILD TO TAKE THE BREAST.
According to Shariat it is recommended first of all to put into the baby’s mouth a thoroughly chewed date. It is done in the following way. The mother (for example) chews the date thoroughly and then she takes a part of the mass with her finger and puts it into the child’s mouth. Then she massages with light movements of her fingers to the right and to the left the child’s mouth cavity so that the chewed mass spreads evenly. For the lack of a date one can use any other sweet provisions.
The point is that this action strengthens the muscles of the mouth cavity and helps to prepare the child to take the breast, so that the child may suck breast milk to the best advantage.
This recommendation is based on the following examples from the Prophetic Tradition.
Hazrat Abu Mussa narrated: ”I was given a son. I went to the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him). Prophet Muhammad named him Ibrahim. Then, after putting a chewed date on his finger he put the finger into my son’s mouth. Then he prayed to the Lord for a blessing and gave the child to me” (the holy ahadith from al-Bukhari and Muslim).
The following story is known due to Anas ibn Malik:”I brought my new-born son Abu Talhi to Prophet Muhammad , and asked:” Do you have dates?” I answered:” Yes, I do”. And I gave them to Prophet Muhammad ,which was chewed and then put the chewed mass in the baby’s mouth and massaged gently his mouth cavity. The Prophet called him ‘Abdullah” (the holy ahadith from al-Bukhari and Muslim).
4. SHAVING THE NEW-BORN CHILD’S HEAD.
After seven days after the birth of the baby it is recommended (mustahab), according to the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him), to shave the child’s head and distribute silver or gold as alms; the weight of the alms should account for the weight of the hair shaved.
Talking about the advisability of shaving the child’s head and giving alms in silver (or in its money equivalent) the scholars of Islamic law refer to the following ahadith.
Hazrath Imam Malik transmits from his father Dja’far ibn Muhammad in his book: ”Bibi Fatima (may Allah be pleased with her) weighed the hair of Hassan, Hussain, Zainab and Ummu Kulsum and gave as alms a certain amount of silver and gold, the weight of which was equal to the weight of this hair”.
It is known from Imam ‘Ali ibn Abu Talib (may Allah be pleased with him) that “Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) offered a sheep after Imam Hussain’s birth and said: “Fatimah, cut his hair and give as alms some silver, the weight of which would be equal to one dirham or a part of a dirham” (the holy ahadith from al-Hakim).
From Hazrath Anas ibn Malik we know that the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) ordered to cut the hair of his grandsons Imam Hassan and Imam Hussain on the seventh day after their birth. After cutting their hair some silver was given as alms, and the weight of the silver was equal to the weight of the hair that was cut.
5. AQEEQAH & GIVING A NAME, Islamic Names
In Islam a great attention is paid to the choice of the name for a new-born child. Islamic naming of the child is very vital step which has many effects.
Hazrat Samurah (RA) transmits the following words of Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him):”Every child is held in pledge for his Aqeeqah, which is scarified for him on seventh day. On the same day the child is given a name and his head is shaved” (the hadith is adduced in the five out of the six authentic ahadith collections, as well as in the holy ahadith from al-Hakim and al-Bayhaqy. AL-Tirmidhee believed that the hadith was “sahih”).
Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) Ordered that child be named on the seventh day, that the harm be removed from him and the sacrifice (Al-Tirmidhee)
It becomes clear from the hadith that the name can be given on the seventh day after the birth of the child.
There are, however, other authentic ahadith which indicate that the name can be given to the child on the very day of his birth.
Hazrat Anas told: Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “This night I have been given a son, I gave him the name of my ancestor – Ibrahim” (the holy ahadith from imam Muslim).
It follows from the above mentioned ahadith that there is no strict date for naming: a child can be named either on his birthday or on the seventh day after his birth.
The right choice of the name for a child is one of the issues requiring special attention on the part of the parents.
Hazrat Abu Daud transmits from Abu ad-Darda’: ” Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: ”Verily, on the Last Day you will be called by your names and by the names of your fathers. Give beautiful names to your children!”
Hazrat Ibn ‘Umar transmits the following words: ”The Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: ”Verily, the best names in Allah’s insight are ‘Abdullah (God’s slave) and ‘Abdu rahman (the slave of the Merciful)” (the holy ahadith from imam Muslim).
It should be noted that the names that comprise the word “’abd” (a slave) combined with one of Allah’s beautiful names are the most favourable names in God’s insight: ‘Abdur-Razzak (the slave of the One who gives nutrition), ‘Abdul-Malik (the slave of the Allah).
Another hadith mentions that it is advisable to name children by the names of prophets and angels. The name of God’s Last Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) is especially honored. Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “Name your children with the names of Prophets”; “Give my name to your children, but do not give them my nickname”(the hadith was transmitted by Abu Nu’yam).
Hazrat Imam Malik said: ”I heard the people of Medina say that every house where there was a man called Muhammad had a special destiny”.
It should be always born in mind that a man being responsible for a child should also make certain that the child is not given a name destroying his dignity and exposing him to mockery. At-Tirmizhi transmits a story from ‘Bibi Aisha (may the Lord be pleased with her). According to this story the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) changed strange-sounding names. It is transmitted from Ibn ‘Umar that ‘Umar’s daughter was named ‘Assiya (disobedient, rebellious), and the Prophet gave her the name Djamilya (beautiful).
It is forbidden to name children by the names that are typical of the Creator only, for example, Ahad (The Only One), Halik (the Creator), etc. Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him)said: “On the Day of Judgment the Lord will be most angry with the man whose name is Malikul-Amlyak (the Possessor of all possessions). There is no Possessor other than the Lord, Allah is the Most Highest”.
It is prohibited to give the names which underline obedience to somebody or something other than the Allah. For example: ’Abdul-Ka’ba (the slave of Kaaba), ‘Abdun-Nabi (the slave of the Prophet), ‘Abdur-Rassul (the slave of the Apostle).
The Islamic names system of naming is follows:
Firstly It is essential that one attributes his or her lineage to his or her biological father. by having their second name as son of so and so and daughter of so and so The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “Whoever calls himself by other than his father’s name (or attributes himself to someone other than his father), will be cursed by Allah, the angels and all the people.” (Reported by Ibn Maajah, 2599; see also Saheeh al-Jaami’, 6104).
The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “Allaah has cursed the one who claims to belong to someone other than his father.” (Reported by Imaam Ahmad and others).
The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Whoever claims knowingly to belong to someone other than his father will be denied Paradise.” (Reported by al-Bukhaari and Muslim, Fath, no. 3982). He also said: “Whoever claims to belong to someone other than his father, will be cursed by Allaah, the angels and all the people, and Allaah will not accept any deeds or excuses from him on the Day of Resurrection.” (Reported by Muslim, may Allaah have mercy on him, in his Saheeh, no. 2433).
Narrated from Abu Dharr, who heard the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) say: “There is no one who knowingly calls himself after someone other than his father, but he is guilty of Kufr” (Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 3371; Muslim, 61).
TIPS & WARNINGS for Islamic Names
Abdul before a male name means servant of. For example, Kareem means generous and noble, so the name Abdul-Kareem means servant of the noble.
Keep in mind that these names come from various parts of the country and can be derived from different cultures. The spellings and meaning may vary slightly from region to region – check with your family or other resources if this is important in naming your child.
