It is forbidden to use any of the Beautiful Names of Allaah The Almighty as names for others.
It is forbidden to use any of the Beautiful Names of Allaah The Almighty as names for others.
Ruling of the issue: Ibn Katheer, may Allaah have mercy upon him, said: In conclusion, there are several Names of Allaah The Almighty that are used as names for others besides Allaah The Almighty[1]. Further, some Names of Allaah The Almighty are exclusive for Allaah The Almighty alone, such as Allaah, Al-Khaaliq (the Creator), Ar-Raaziq (the Sustainer), Ar-Rahmaan (the Most Gracious) and so forth.[2]
For instance: It was narrated on the authority of Abu Hurairah, may Allaah be pleased with him, that the Messenger of Allaah, peace and blessings be upon him, said: “The most despised name with Allaah The Almighty will be a man who was called Malik Al-Amlaak. There is no King except Allaah.”, and in another: “The man who will be the most deserving Allaah’s anger and most evil on the Day of Resurrection…”[3]
Changing of such names:
It was narrated on the authority of Haani’ Ibn Yazeed, may Allaah be pleased with him, that his nickname at that time was Abul Hakam (Father of Judgment). The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said to him: “Allaah is Al-Hakam and for Him is the final Judgment, so why you are named so? So he replied: “When my people dispute in any matter, they come to me for arbitration; and when I judge between them, both parties are pleased with my judgement.” The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said: “How excellent is this! Do you have any children?” He said: “Yes, Shuraih, Muslim and ‘Abdullaah.” Then the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, asked: “Who is the eldest?” He answered: “Shuraih.” Then the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said: “Then (from now on,) you will be known as Abu Shuraih.”[4]
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[1] Amongst the names that cannot be used for others than Allaah The Almighty are Ra’oof (Kind) and Ar-Raheem (Merciful) such as the saying of Allaah The Almighty about the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him: {And He is Ever Most Merciful to the believers.} [Al-Ahzaab: 43], and so on.
[2] Tafseer Ibn Katheer (1/21).
[3] Reported by Al-Bukhaari (6206) and Muslim (2143).
[4] Reported by Al-Bukhaari in Al-Adab Al-Mufrad (811), Abu Daawood (4955), An-Nasaa’i (5402), and Ibn Hibaan (504). Refer to Sunan Abu Daawood (4145).
