Question
I would like to know if the following names are muslim names and what there meanings are: Maya for a girl and Zinedine for a boy?
Also, is it necessary to have – ur , before the surname Rehman, e.g. Ur Rehman?
Answer
Muhtaram / Muhtaramah
In the Name of Allāh, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
As-salāmu ‘alaykum wa-rahmatullāh wa-barakātuh.
The name “Maya” could not be located and is not a muslim name. The name “Zinedine” is actually pronounced “Zain-u-Deen” which means “The Beauty of Deen.”
The surname “Rahman” whether you put “ur” before Rahman as in “ur-Rahman” or just having Rahman is incorrect as a name or surname as this is one of the ninety-nine names of Almighty Allah Ta’aala, rather one should add “Abd” before it, as in Abdur Rahman, which means “the slave of the Merciful”. Whenever one of Almighty Allah’s names are used as a name for his servants, there has to be an attribute or subservience. For example, “Abd” before the name of Allah as in “Abdullah” (the slave of Allah) or “Abdul-Azeez” (the slave of the Almighty).
Nabi (صلى الله عليه وسلم) has said, “You will be called on the Day of Judgment by your names and the names of your father, so keep good names.” (Abu Dawood)
Regarding good names, Hazrat Ibni Umar (RA) reports from Nabi (صلى الله عليه وسلم), “The most beloved names by Allah are Abdullah and Abdur Rahman. (Abu Dawood)
In another hadith, Nabi (صلى الله عليه وسلم) has said, “Keep the names of the Prophets, and the most beloved names by Allah are Abdullah and Abdur Rahman, and the most truthful of names are Haaris (one who farms) and Hammam (one who is concerned), and the worst of names are Harb (War) and Murrah (bitter). (Abu Dawood)
If Nabi (صلى الله عليه وسلم) heard of someone having a name that did not have a good meaning, he would advise that individual to change his/her name, and that happened on a few occasions. For example, Nabi (صلى الله عليه وسلم) changed the name of the daughter of Umar (RA). Her name was ‘Aasiyah (disobedient) to Jameela, ‘Aasiya meaning disobedient and Jameela meaning beautiful.
The virtue and importance of keeping a good name in Islam is clear from these Ahadeeth. In our times where people give their children fancy and rare names just to be different, which could sometimes have a bad meaning or no meaning at all, and this could have an effect on the child.
It is sad to note nowadays that people have such beautiful names but feel shy of their names and change their names or they change it to impress their non-Muslim associates. For example, a man had a beautiful name “Anwar” (one with Noor/light), then he ends up being called “Anver”, or a sister has a lovely name “Fareedah” (a precious gem/someone unique) and she changed it to “Frieda” to feel comfortable around her non-Muslim associates.
May Allah Ta’aala grant us the true understanding of keeping good names and its position in Islam. Ameen
And Allah knows best
Wassalam
Darul Iftaa, Madrassah In’aamiyyah
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