Learn To Take Care Of Your Children - 105

NAMING THE CHILD

It is the infant's vested right to be honoured with a good name. When choosing a name for the child, it should be done with the intention that the child will be blessed with the barakah of that name. Here are some Ahadith to show the importance of selecting a good and correct name:

Abdullah ibn Umar RA relates Rasulullah SAW as saying:

"Truly, the most loved of your names by Allah are Abdullah and Abdur-Rahmaan."

It is also reported in the Hadith collection of Abu Dawud that Rasulullah SAW said:

"Keep the names of prophets. And the most desirable names by Allah Ta'ala are Abdullah and Abdur-Rahmaan. And names that depict honesty are Haarith (planter) and Hammaam (thoughtful). And the most disliked ones are Harb (battle) and Murrah (bitter)."


THE BARAKAH OF NAMING A CHILD AFTER RASULULLAH SAW

Rasulullah SAW said:

"Whoever is named after me with the hope of being blessed, he will be blessed and will be in peace till the Day of Qiyaamat."

Rasulullah SAW is also reported to have said:

"To whomever is born a boy and he names him Muhammad solely for the love of me and for the blessings of my name, then both he (the father) and his son will enter Jannah."


THE IMPORTANCE OF KEEPING GOOD NAMES

It has been narrated that Rasulullah SAW said:

"On the Day of Qiyaamah you will be called by your (own) names and the names of your fathers. Therefore keep good names." (RIwayat Abu Dawud)

Rasulullah SAW also advised the Ummah:

"To whoever is born a child, the child should be given a good name and sound education. And when he becomes of age he should be married."

It was the practice of Rasulullah SAW to enquire the names of persons and villages. If they were pleasant, it became apparent on his face. If not, his displeasure could be seen.

Once Rasulullah SAW called for a volunteer to milk a she-camel. Four persons volunteered: he refused to accept the services of the first three because their names did not imply pleasantness. The names of the first two were Murrah (bitter) while Jamrah (burning coal) was the name of the third person. When the fourth said his name is Yaeesh (long live), Rasulullah SAW said to him - "Milk her".