Name is the method used to address the child after it is born in the world. In other words, a person is called by a special word to distinguish him from other people, hence the name. And keeping this name is very important in Islam. Every person is inextricably linked with his name, nickname or title.

Regarding naming, Hazrat Rasool (pbuh) ordered to name the newborn with a good and beautiful meaningful name on the seventh day of the child’s birth. (Tirmidhi)

The Prophet (peace be upon him) urged to keep beautiful names, you will be called by your own name and your father’s name on the Day of Resurrection. So you have beautiful names. (Abu Dawud)

The following points are noteworthy about the importance of names in Islam.

For example- 1. Allah’s instructions: There are clear instructions in Islam about the importance of naming. Allah Ta’ala says in the Holy Qur’an, “O Zakaria, I (Allah) give you the good news of a son. His name will be Yahya. I have never named anyone by this name before. [Surah Maryam, verse 7 (second chapter)]

2. Keeping beautiful and meaningful names: Hazrat Rasulullah (SAW) emphasized on keeping beautiful and meaningful names. After the birth of the child, it is an essential duty of parents and guardians to give a beautiful and meaningful name. It is better to associate it with the Attributes of Allah Ta’ala and to name it after His beloved servants.

3. Laws of Islam: Naming is one of the laws of Islam. However, it is forbidden to name after disbelievers, polytheists and notorious sinners. The Companions who had ugly and offensive names, Hazrat Rasool Kareem (PBUH) changed them to beautiful and meaningful names.

4. Enthusiasm for naming names after Prophets: The titles and surnames of Hazrat Rasool Kareem (PBUH) were prevalent in everything. Because all kinds of names have a great influence on the person or thing and even on the character. Because words have an effect, swearing or cursing provokes others.

5. Means of identification: Name is the means of identification of people. But the sad thing is that the present Muslim society is running towards indifference day by day avoiding this great importance of keeping name in the eyes of Islam. Muslims are naming their children after Jews, Christians, Hindus and Buddhists. It is not clear by hearing the name, whether the person is Muslim or not. Again, many times it is seen that although the original name is Arabic and very beautiful, parents and guardians have given nicknames, which in many cases are meaningless and prove to follow a foreign culture. Like- George, Michael, Jacker, Dolly, Molly, Ratan, Vidyut, Beauty, Boltu, Montu, Nantu, Pintub, Ranjan, Ravi, Shashi etc. Name is one of the means of identification of a person. For that, having a beautiful and meaningful name is a serious responsibility and duty on every parent or guardian. So let’s give a beautiful and meaningful name for the child without following meaningless or foreign culture.