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:

what is the meaning of the word bilquis and murtaza?

(There may be some grammatical and spelling errors in the above statement. The forum does not change anything from questions, comments and statements received from our readers for circulation in confidentiality.)

Answer:

Meaning of Bilquis and Murtuza

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 no one (no idol, no person, no grave, no prophet, no imam, no dai, nobody!) worthy of worship but Allah Alone, and we bear witness that Muhammad(saws) is His slave-servant and the seal of His Messengers.

The name ‘Bilquis’ does not have a specific meaning by itself in the Arabic language. The name is derived from the righteous Queen of Saba (or biblical Sheba) whose name was Bilquis. Saba was a city 50 miles from the current city of Sanaa in Yemen. Surah 34 of the Glorious Quran is also named after the same city, ‘Saba’.

The correct spelling of the name is ‘Murtadha’, and it means something or someone that is liked.

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

Your Brother in Islam,

Burhan