Fatwa ID: 08158
Answered by: Maulana Yusuf Badshah
Question:
Salaam Sheikh,
My wife and I are expecting our first child in May, In Sha Allah. We are considering various naming options for our baby boy, and one name we like is “Ishaaq.” However, we are unsure about the permissibility of using “Muhammad” as a middle name, specifically regarding its usage as part of the child’s name. Could you clarify if there are any Islamic rulings or consensus regarding the use of “Muhammad” in this context?
Jazakallah Khair.
In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
Answer:
Wa alaykum assalaam wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh.
When it comes to naming a child, the general Islamic principle is that the name should not be derogatory or inappropriate [1]. There is a discussion in the classical juristic literature about the permissibility of using the name “Muhammad” in a combination with the title of the Prophet (s.a.w), such as “Abu Qasim.” Some scholars have historically discouraged naming a child “Muhammad Abul Qasim” because it involves both the name and the title of the Prophet, though the general opinion in the Hanafi school is that this ruling has been abrogated [2].
In terms of naming your child, it is praiseworthy to name a child after a prophet, and the name “Muhammad” is highly recommended in Islam. There is no issue with naming your child “Muhammad” or using it as a middle name, as long as the surname is not “Abu Qasim,” since the Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w) forbade using his kunyah (title) for others [3].
Additionally, naming your child “Ishaaq” (Isaac), a prophet’s name, is also commendable. However, you should be mindful that names like “Ishaaq” are sometimes mispronounced in English-speaking countries, which could potentially cause confusion.
In summary, it is completely acceptable to name your child “Muhammad” as part of his name, whether it is his first or middle name. This is a blessed and recommended name in Islam. It is also permissible to combine it with other names like “Ishaaq.” However, ensure that the name does not carry any confusion or misuse in terms of pronunciation or connotation.
And only Allah s.w.t knows best.
Written by: Maulana Yusuf Badshah
Checked and approved by: Mufti Tosir Miah
Darul Ifta Birmingham
References:
[1] Surah Al-Hujurat 11:
{ يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا لَا يَسْخَرْ قَوْمٌ مِّن قَوْمٍ عَسَىٰ أَن يَكُونُوا خَيْرًا مِّنْهُمْ وَلَا نِسَاءٌ مِّن نِّسَاءٍ عَسَىٰ أَن يَكُنَّ خَيْرًا مِّنْهُنَّ ۖ وَلَا تَلْمِزُوا أَنفُسَكُمْ وَلَا تَنَابَزُوا بِالْأَلْقَابِ ۖ بِئْسَ الِاسْمُ الْفُسُوقُ بَعْدَ الْإِيمَانِ ۚ وَمَن لَّمْ يَتُبْ فَأُولَٰئِكَ هُمُ الظَّالِمُونَ ۞}
[2] Sahih Al-Bukhari 110:
حَدَّثَنَا مُوسَى، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو عَوَانَةَ، عَنْ أَبِي حَصِينٍ، عَنْ أَبِي صَالِحٍ، عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ، عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ “ تَسَمَّوْا بِاسْمِي وَلاَ تَكْتَنُوا بِكُنْيَتِي، وَمَنْ رَآنِي فِي الْمَنَامِ فَقَدْ رَأَنِي، فَإِنَّ الشَّيْطَانَ لاَ يَتَمَثَّلُ فِي صُورَتِي، وَمَنْ كَذَبَ عَلَىَّ مُتَعَمِّدًا فَلْيَتَبَوَّأْ مَقْعَدَهُ مِنَ النَّارِ”
[3] Raddul Muhtar, vol. 6, pg. 417, Darul Fikr:
(وَمَنْ كَانَ اسْمُهُ مُحَمَّدًا لَا بَأْسَ بِأَنْ يُكَنَّى أَبَا الْقَاسِمِ) لِأَنَّ قَوْلَهُ – عَلَيْهِ الصَّلَاةُ وَالسَّلاَمُ – «سَمُّوا بِاسْمِي وَلا تَكَنَّوْا بِكُنْيَتِي» قَدْ نُسِخَ لِأَنَّ عَلِيًّا – رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ – كَنَّى ابْنَهُ مُحَمَّدَ بْنَ الْحَنَفِيَّةِ أَبَا الْقَاسِمِ
[4] Sunan Abi Dawud 4950:
حَدَّثَنَا هَارُونُ بْنُ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ، حَدَّثَنَا هِشَامُ بْنُ سَعِيدٍ الطَّالْقَانِيُّ، أَخْبَرَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ الْمُهَاجِرِ الأَنْصَارِيُّ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنِي عَقِيلُ بْنُ شَبِيبٍ، عَنْ أَبِي وَهْبٍ الْجُشَمِيِّ، وَكَانَتْ، لَهُ صُحْبَةٌ قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم “ تَسَمَّوْا بِأَسْمَاءِ الأَنْبِيَاءِ وَأَحَبُّ الأَسْمَاءِ إِلَى اللَّهِ عَبْدُ اللَّهِ وَعَبْدُ الرَّحْمَنِ وَأَصْدَقُهَا حَارِثٌ وَهَمَّامٌ وَأَقْبَحُهَا حَرْبٌ وَمُرَّةُ
[5] Raddul Muhtar, vol. 6, pg. 417, Darul Fikr:
لَكِنَّ التَّسْمِيَةَ بِغَيْرِ ذَلِكَ فِي زَمَانِنَا أَوْلَى لِأَنَّ الْعَوَّامَ يُصَغِّرُونَهَا عِنْدَ النِّدَاءِ
