Is it permissible to be named with the names of Allah the Exalted?
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The questioner : Shaykh, is there a specific rule regarding the permissibility of being named with certain names, for example, names that are specific to Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He)?
The Shaykh : Yes
The questioner : And names that humans can be named with?
The Shaykh : Yes
The questioner : What is the rule...
The Shaykh : The rule is that if you name someone with one of the names of Allah, observing the attribute in it, it is not permissible. For example, naming someone "Al-Hakim" (The Wise) because of his wisdom, or "Al-Hakam" (The Judge) because he judges between people; this is not permissible. However, if you intend merely the quality, there is no harm in it. This is why there are among the names of the Companions "Al-Hakim" and "Al-Hakam," and the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) did not change them. But he did change "Abu al-Hakam" because he was named so because he judged between people.
The questioner : ...
The Shaykh : No, in the case of names that are specific to Allah, no one else is ever named with them, absolutely. For example, "Allah." No one can ever be named "Allah." Likewise, they said "Al-Rahman" (The Most Merciful) is only for... And likewise, "Rabb al-'Alamin" (Lord of the Worlds). "Rabb al-'Alamin" is not a name for anyone but Allah. That is, the thing that cannot be affirmed except for Allah is not a name for anyone; it is specific to Allah. As for "Rabb" (Lord), it is used for Allah and for others, such as the lord of the animal, the lord of the house, and the like, when it is made possessive. Yes. Then, "Rabb" is also used in the sense of companion. "Rabb" is used in the sense of companion, such as His saying (Glorified and Exalted is He):[As-Saffat 37:180] This is not like "Rabb al-'Alamin," because "Rabb al-'Alamin" is the One who created them. But you cannot say "Rabb al-'Izzah" (Lord of Majesty) created majesty, because majesty is an attribute of Allah that is not created. Here, "Rabb" means companion, the companion of majesty. Yes.
The questioner : ...
The Shaykh : Yes, indeed, if the meaning of the attribute is not observed, because "Al-Hakam" exists among the Companions; those who are named with this name are "Al-Hakam."
The questioner : ...
The Shaykh : Yes, because denying the attributes indicated by these names is the path of the people of figurative interpretation, the path of the people of figurative interpretation. They do not affirm all the attributes indicated by them. For example, regarding "Al-Rahman," the Asha'irah do not believe in mercy; they do not say that Allah has mercy. They say that by "the mercy of Allah" is meant either the effect or the intention of the effect, meaning either the act of kindness, which is the effect, or the intention of kindness. Yes, indeed.
The Shaykh : Yes
The questioner : And names that humans can be named with?
The Shaykh : Yes
The questioner : What is the rule...
The Shaykh : The rule is that if you name someone with one of the names of Allah, observing the attribute in it, it is not permissible. For example, naming someone "Al-Hakim" (The Wise) because of his wisdom, or "Al-Hakam" (The Judge) because he judges between people; this is not permissible. However, if you intend merely the quality, there is no harm in it. This is why there are among the names of the Companions "Al-Hakim" and "Al-Hakam," and the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) did not change them. But he did change "Abu al-Hakam" because he was named so because he judged between people.
The questioner : ...
The Shaykh : No, in the case of names that are specific to Allah, no one else is ever named with them, absolutely. For example, "Allah." No one can ever be named "Allah." Likewise, they said "Al-Rahman" (The Most Merciful) is only for... And likewise, "Rabb al-'Alamin" (Lord of the Worlds). "Rabb al-'Alamin" is not a name for anyone but Allah. That is, the thing that cannot be affirmed except for Allah is not a name for anyone; it is specific to Allah. As for "Rabb" (Lord), it is used for Allah and for others, such as the lord of the animal, the lord of the house, and the like, when it is made possessive. Yes. Then, "Rabb" is also used in the sense of companion. "Rabb" is used in the sense of companion, such as His saying (Glorified and Exalted is He):
Exalted is your Lord, the Lord of might, above what they describe.
سبحان ربك رب العزة عما يصفونThe questioner : ...
The Shaykh : Yes, indeed, if the meaning of the attribute is not observed, because "Al-Hakam" exists among the Companions; those who are named with this name are "Al-Hakam."
The questioner : ...
The Shaykh : Yes, because denying the attributes indicated by these names is the path of the people of figurative interpretation, the path of the people of figurative interpretation. They do not affirm all the attributes indicated by them. For example, regarding "Al-Rahman," the Asha'irah do not believe in mercy; they do not say that Allah has mercy. They say that by "the mercy of Allah" is meant either the effect or the intention of the effect, meaning either the act of kindness, which is the effect, or the intention of kindness. Yes, indeed.