Is “Nazia” (from Surah Naziat) a good name for a baby-girl? According to Ma’ariful Quran by Mufti Shafi Uthmani, Allah refers to the “naziat” as the angels who “put out the souls vigorously”.

In the name of Allah, the most Beneficent, the most Merciful.

Answer

Names given to the child should be good and meaningful.  On the Day of Judgement people will be called by their names and the name of the fathers.  Therefore, a good name must be chosen.  (Sunan Abi Dawud. p.328 v.2)

Also keeping good names has a good effect of the person as equally as keeping a bad, unmeaningful name will have a bad effect on the person.  (Aapke Masaail p.44 v.7)

Children should not be given such names, which might be made fun of. For example, Saaidua Umar Radiallahu Anhu initially named his daughter as ‘Aasiyah’ which meant disobedient, so the Prophet of Allah Sallallahu Alahi Wasalam changed it in to Jameelah.”  (Sunan Tirmizi p.111 v.2)

Also the Prophet of Allah Sallallahu Alahi Wasalam changed names such as hardness, Shaitan, Hakam (leader), Crow and Snake.  He also changed the name Harb (war) into peace and offspring of adultery to offspring of good people.  (See Sunan Abi Dawud p.329 v.2)

Furthermore, we should not keep names that point to bad character.  The grandfather of Saaiduna Saeed Ibn Musaib Radiallahu Anhu presented himself to the Prophet of Allah Sallallahu Alahi Wasalam, when asked his name he replied, ‘Hazn’ (hardness).  The Prophet of Allah Sallallahu Alahi Wasalam replied, “Your name is ‘Sahl’ (easy).  He replied, “How can I change the name given by my father.”  Saaiduna Saeed Radiallahu Anhu say “from that day hardness has been found in our character.”  (Sunan Abi Dawud p.329 v.2)

With regards to your question, as the word “Naziaat” means the angels who put out the souls vigorously, it is preferable not to keep that name.

Only Allah Knows Best

Mohammed Tosir Miah

Darul Ifta Birmingham