Mu' meneen Brothers and Sisters,

As Salaam Aleikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh.  (May Allah's Peace, Mercy and Blessings be upon all of you)

One of our brothers/sisters has asked this question:

Salaam,

I am curently thinking of names for my baby boy,is it okay for me to name him ZAIN USMAN?

Also could you pls tell me da in islam are we as muslims allowed to name our children after places.

Thankyou

khuda-Hafiz

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Answer:

Assign name

In the name of Allah, We praise Him, seek His help and ask for His forgiveness. Whoever Allah guides none can misguide, and whoever He allows to fall astray, none can guide them aright. We bear witness that there is none worthy of worship but Allah Alone, and we bear witness that Muhammad (saws) is His slave-servant and the seal of His Messengers.

Beloved Sister, Islam has not guided or given the believers a list of acceptable names that alone can be assigned to the believers. A name that is assigned to each person is no more than a sign or element of recognition for that person. Thus it is absolutely permissible and acceptable in Islam for the believers to assign their new-born any good name which has a wholesome meaning. The only names which are unacceptable are those names which connote or imply ‘shirk’, disbelief, or have an inherent evil meaning.

Your Question: I am curently thinking of names for my baby boy,is it okay for me to name him ZAIN USMAN?

The literal meaning of the Arabic term ‘zain’ means ‘good’ and Usman (or Uthmaan) is the name of one of the noblest companions of the Messenger of Allah (saws)….thus Zain and Uthmaan both are perfectly acceptable and good names to be assigned to a believer.

Your Question: Also could you pls tell me da in islam are we as muslims allowed to name our children after places.

I am not entirely sure if one would like their children to be named Makkah or Madinah, or even London or New York….for the names that are assigned to places are also nothing more than a term for their recognition. If one indeed wishes to and feels comfortable naming their children after a place, there is no harm or violation of the Shariah.

Whatever written of Truth and benefit is only due to Allah’s Assistance and Guidance, and whatever of error is of me alone. Allah Alone Knows Best and He is the Only Source of Strength.

Your brother and well wisher in Islam,

Burhan