Being Named with Wahid or Hannan

16-3-2023 | IslamWeb

Question:

My parents gave me the first name "Wahid." My parents also gave me the middle name "Hannaan." Are these haram names for me to have and be called by, and do I need to change my name as well as my legal documents because of it? I know that Al-Wahid is one of the Names of Allah, and some say that Al-Hannan or Al-Hanan is a Name of Allah as well, so I want to make sure that I'm not committing shirk or kufr or some other sin by keeping and using these 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.

It does not appear to us what prevents being named with what you mentioned, and it is most likely that it is not Shirk (polytheism), because ‘Wahid, Hannan’ are not from Allah’s Names in this formula. Al-Wahid and Al-Hannan are Names of Allah, and having the same description and even the same name is not forbidden.

Al-Haskafi  said in Al-Durr Al-Mukhtar:

“It is permissible to name with ‘Ali and Rashid as these are common names, but what is intended in regard to us is not the same as what is intended to Allah” [End of quote]

Based on the above, it is permissible for you to keep the name that you mentioned, and you are not required to change it, and you do not commit any sin.

For more benefit, please refer to Fatwa 325042.

Allah knows best.