The First Gift, A Lifelong Prayer

The arrival of a newborn is one of the greatest blessings from Allah, a moment of immense joy and gratitude. Amidst the preparations and celebrations, one of the first and most significant duties of a parent is choosing a name for their child. In Islam, a name is not merely a label; rather, it is a profound declaration, an identity, and a lifelong prayer (du'a) for the child.

In fact, the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) emphasized the importance of good names, saying, "On the Day of Resurrection, you will be called by your names and by your fathers' names, so give yourselves good names." (Hadith, Abu Dawud). Consequently, this guidance highlights that a name has spiritual weight, which can shape a child's character and connect them to their Islamic heritage.

Prophetic Guidance: The Principles of Choosing a Name

The Sunnah provides us with clear principles for selecting the most beloved and appropriate names. Therefore, following this guidance is a way of honoring our children and seeking blessings for them from the very beginning.

1. The Best and Most Beloved of Names

The most beloved names to Allah are those that signify servitude to Him. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, "The dearest of your names to Allah are 'Abdullah' (Servant of Allah) and 'Abdur-Rahman' (Servant of the Most Merciful)." (Hadith, Muslim). Moreover, these names are a constant reminder of our ultimate purpose in life.

2. Names of Prophets and the Righteous

Naming a child after a prophet or a righteous person is a beautiful way to honor their legacy. It is also a prayer that the child embodies their noble qualities. In addition, these names connect our children to a lineage of faith and piety.

• For Boys: Names like Ibrahim, Musa, Yusuf, Dawud, Sulaiman, and of course, Muhammad, are timeless and filled with blessings.
• For Girls: Names like Maryam, Aisha, Khadijah, Fatimah, and Asiya connect our daughters to the most revered women in Islamic history.

3. The Importance of a Good Meaning

A name becomes a part of a person's identity. Therefore, it is essential for parents to choose a name with a beautiful, positive, and honorable meaning. A name that signifies strength, wisdom, beauty, piety, or mercy can serve as a source of inspiration for the child throughout their life.

4. Names to Avoid in Islam

Just as there are recommended names, there are also categories of names that Islam discourages. For this reason, it is a parent's duty to avoid them:

• Names Implying Servitude to Other Than Allah: Islam forbids names like 'Abd al-Nabi' (servant of the Prophet), as all servitude belongs to Allah alone.
• Names Exclusive to Allah: Parents should not use names such as Al-Khaliq (The Creator) without the prefix 'Abd'.
• Names of Tyrants: It is disliked to name a child after figures known for their disbelief, such as Fir'awn (Pharaoh).
• Names with Negative Meanings: Parents should also avoid names that mean 'war', 'sadness', or have any other disliked connotation.
• Overly Praiseful Names: The Prophet (peace be upon him) discouraged names that are excessively self-praising, such as 'Barrah' (pious woman), because true piety is known only to Allah.

The Sunnah of Timing and the Aqiqah

According to the Sunnah, it is recommended to name the child on the seventh day after their birth. Furthermore, this is also the day when parents traditionally perform the Aqiqah.

The Aqiqah is a beautiful celebration of gratitude to Allah for the gift of a child. It involves three main practices: the animal sacrifice, shaving the child's head, and giving charity.

• The Sacrifice: The Sunnah is to sacrifice two sheep for a boy and one sheep for a girl. Parents then share the meat with family, friends, and those in need.
• Shaving the Head: Parents shave the newborn's head, and they give the weight of the hair in silver as sadaqah (charity).
• Naming the Child: Finally, parents formally announce the chosen name.

A Treasury of Beloved Islamic Names

Choosing a name can be overwhelming. To help, here is a curated list of beautiful and meaningful names to inspire you, categorized for your convenience.