Prohibited Names In Islam that shouldn't be used for babies | Al-Ihsan Media

Bismillahi-r-Rahmāni-r-Rahīm


All praises to Allah, May the blessings of Allah be upon the Holy Prophet Muhammad ﷺ and his entire household, as well as his companions. Aameen.


Islam gives free will to every Muslims to take from the best of names for their children once they are born or take any name that pleases them except the prohibited names in Islam.






It is worth to note that all Arabic names are not Islamic names but all Islamic names are Arabic names. Arabic countries are generally dominated by the Muslims, but we shouldn't forget that there are Christians, Jews and others among them. If all Arabic names were to be used for babies, then we'll probably be walking on a wrong path by selecting some of these prohibited names in Islam, because there would be mixture with others and it'll be very hard to distinguish between a Muslim and an infidel.


Now, let's go to the point.

What are the Prohibited Names In Islam? Which names should we not use or take?

These are names which are forbidden , and should not be used by any Muslim to name a child. These names are:

• Names entitled to Allah alone.
• Names that denote servitude to anything except Allah.
• Names of Shaytān, Tyrants and Cursed creatures.
• Names of Animals, Plants and Non-living things.

1. Names Entitled To Allah Alone:

It was explained in the previous article on  The Best And Most Influential Names In Islamthat it is permissible to take from the 99 beautiful names of Allah as a name for newborn babies, but names like Mālikal-Amlaak shouldn't be touched.

The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: The man who will be most deserving of Allah's anger and most evil on the Day of Resurrection will be a man who was called Malikal-Amlaak. There is no King except Allaah. 

(Muslim)

However, we must also understand that these beautiful names of Allah must be preceeded by 'Abd' (servant), such as Abdullah (Servant of Allah), Abdur'Rahmān (Servant of The Most Merciful), e.t.c in place of Allah, Ar-Rahmān, Ar-Rahīm and so on. These are prohibited in regards to the names of Allah, but concerning the names/titles of The Holy Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, it is a permissible act. The Holy Prophet's names can be prefixed with "Al" (a definite article). For instance, Al-Amīn (The trustworthy), Al-Mansūr (The Assisted), Al-Bashīr (The Giver of glad tidings), Al-Māhy (The Wiper of Infidelity) e.t.c.

Moreover, Some of the names of Allah can also be used in their indefinite forms (i.e without the prefix 'Abd' or 'Al'). Examples are: Aliy (An high person/ a respected person), Hādī (a guide) , Karīm (An honourable person) e.t.c.

2. Names That Denote Servitude Or Enslavement To Anything Except Allah:

Designing a name in enslavement to a creature of Allah or a deity is the act of the people who lived before Islam. They appease their deities by giving their children names that show servitude to these deities. Names such as Abdul-Uzzah (Servant of Uzzah), Abdul-Manāt (Slave of Manāt), Abdul-Lāt (Servant of Lāt), Abdul-Ka'bah (Slave of Ka'bah) e.t.c, all these are prohibited names in Islam.

It was reported in an Hadith that A delegation came to the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him), and he heard them calling someone Abdul-Hajar (Slave of the stone). He asked him, What is your name? and he said, Abdul-Hajar. He said, No, you are Abdullah (The slave of Allaah). (Ibnu Abī-Shaybān 8/665).

It is also forbidden to use 'Abd' as suffix for the names of The Holy Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, such as Abdul-Amīn (The Servant of Al-Ameen), Abdul-Mahmūd (The Servant of Mahmūd) and so on.

3. Names of Shaytān, Tyrants or Cursed Creatures:

These group of creatures are hated and detested by Almighty Allah swt, and His Messenger. A good Muslim shouldn't try to take such names for a child, so that the child may be distanced from the wrath of Allah. Names like Firhaon, Iblīs, Qārūn, Namrūd e.t.c.

4. Names of Plants, Animals Or Non-living things:

Allah swt created some animals with special and adorable qualities. Animals like Dog, Camels, Donkeys are animals which have pleasing characteristics among others. Dogs are known to be loyal, selfless, satisfied, caring while Camels are characterized with qualities such as toughness, endurance and commitment. These are qualities of great men but it is not a reason to name one's child after these animals because Allah swt has created man in the finest state (Q95:4). Men shouldn't be compared with these animals, not the plants or any non-living things.

Read >> 5 Important Things You Need To Know Before Naming A Child

All these forms of names where changed by the Holy Prophet Muhammad ﷺ during his lifetime. It was reported that many of the companions' names were changed to good ones. The Holy Prophet changed the name of a girl/lady from Āssiyah (the rude) to Jameelah (the beautiful) - Abū'Dāūd.
Another was the case of the father of one of the prominent companions of Rasūlullah ﷺ who refused to change his name from it's old form.

Sa`id Ibnul-Musayyib narrated that his grandfather, Hazn, came to the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), the Prophet said to him: "What is your name?". He said, “Hazn” (Hard or Rough). The Prophet said,“You are Sahl ( Soft or Easy), ”The man said, “I do not want to change the name that my father gave me.” His grandson Sa`id used to say that they kept on experiencing the hardness in their family.
( Al-Bukhārī)

However, It should be noted that a new convert needn't change his/her name from its old form as long as the name is good, meaningful and cleared of all the aforementioned points. The name of one's parent shouldn't be changed as well except when the parents are alive and accepted to change, else, it is prohibited. And these are the prohibited names in Islam.


May Almighty Allah guide us all.


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