Not Obligatory for a Non-Arab to Name His Children with Arabic Names

16-11-2020 | IslamWeb

Question:

Why is it necessary to name kids muslim names?

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Answer:

All perfect praise be to Allah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allah, and that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger.

If you mean by saying: ‘Is it necessary ...’ etc.; i.e., is it obligatory for a non-Arab to name his children with Arabic names related to the history of Muslims, such as the names of the Companions or the names that denote being a slave to Allah?; then know that this is not obligatory. We do not know any scholar who has stated that it is obligatory.

He may choose any of the good names in his language as he wishes, provided that the name does not denote something forbidden, such as being a slave to other than Allah, or naming his child with a name that has a connection with the religion of the Christians, for example, or a name that is disliked to be named with, such as Shihaab for example, which means a flame of fire. Therefore, if the name is free from these matters, it is permissible to name with it.

However, the Sharee’ah urged us to name the children with some names, as a matter of desirability, not as an obligation, such as naming the son ‘Abdullah , Abdur-Rahmaan, and Muhammad.

For more benefit on naming children with good names, please refer to Fatwa 87262.

Allah Knows best.