Structure of Muslim names

Male Names

  1. Names of Allah can be preceded with Abdul.
      Abdul Aziz
      Abdus if a name starts with 'S' eg Abdus Saboor

  2. Ahmad and Muhammad are often used before and after the names of Allah, Muhammad or others.
      Muhammad Ali
      Basheer Ahmad

  3. Biblical names in Arabic may be combined with names of Allah, Muhammad or others.
      Muhammad Ali
      Haroon Ghaffar

  4. Abu added to the name of a Married man indicated that he is father of the child of the same name.
      Abu Haroon means father of Haroon.

  5. Ibn or Bin Mean "Son of"
      Adam bin Qurban-Ali means Adam son of Qurban-Ali

Female Names

  1. A single woman can use the name of the father after the chosen name.
      Maryaam Ahmad.

  2. The chosen name may be followed by Aaraa, Akthar, Begum, Jahaan, Khaanam, Khaatoon etc
      Nasim Akthar
      Zubaida Begum.

  3. Prefixing Umm means "Mother of".
      Umm Hanifa means mother of Hanifa.

  4. Bint after female name indicates that she is the "Daugther of"
      Salma Bint Hanifa means salma daughter of Hanifa

The Prophet Muhammad (SAW) recommended that Muslims should be selective in the names of their children as part of the identity of a Muslim. He recommended that the most beautiful names are those which give servitude or praise to Allah.

Combinations of various names is a matter of personal liking and choice. Names of Allah should never be used alone. These should always be preceded by Abdul or should be combined with another name in such a way that the final name does not remain a specific attribute of Allah.


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