What is the ruling on naming children with names from the Qur'an, such as Afnan, Iman, and Bayan?
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The questioner : Your Eminence, the question of some people naming their daughters with names from the Qur'an, such as Bayan, and some naming them Iman, has become frequent. Is this correct or not?
The Shaykh : Yes, the original ruling regarding naming is permissibility, except for what evidence indicates is disliked, either specifically or by analogy. For example, the name Barrah, the name Abrar, and the name Iman; all of this is prohibited, meaning it should be changed, because the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) changed the name Barrah to Zaynab and the name Juwayriyah. As for what does not resemble that, there is no harm in it. For example: Afnan, there is no harm in it; Aghsan, there is no harm in it; Shajarah, there is no harm in it.
The questioner : Jana, O Shaykh.
The Shaykh : There is no harm in Jana. As for Bayan, I do not see that it should be named Bayan, and likewise Iman; I do not see that it should be named Iman, because it contains an element of self-praise, and Abrar is likewise.
The Shaykh : Yes, the original ruling regarding naming is permissibility, except for what evidence indicates is disliked, either specifically or by analogy. For example, the name Barrah, the name Abrar, and the name Iman; all of this is prohibited, meaning it should be changed, because the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) changed the name Barrah to Zaynab and the name Juwayriyah. As for what does not resemble that, there is no harm in it. For example: Afnan, there is no harm in it; Aghsan, there is no harm in it; Shajarah, there is no harm in it.
The questioner : Jana, O Shaykh.
The Shaykh : There is no harm in Jana. As for Bayan, I do not see that it should be named Bayan, and likewise Iman; I do not see that it should be named Iman, because it contains an element of self-praise, and Abrar is likewise.