Answered by Shaykh Ilyas Patel
Is it preferable to keep Muhammad as a name for a baby, with only the surname being the other name? Or should there be any middle names?
Yes, it is permissible to keep Muhammad as a name without any middle names.
It has been mentioned in Abu Dawud, Ibn Majah, Hakim,Bukhari in Adab al-Mufrad from Ali (Allah be pleased with him) he said, I asked the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) O’ Messenger of Allah! If I have a child after your death, can I name him with your name and surname? The Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) replied, Yes.’
(Takmila Fath al-Mulhim V.4 pg 206)
Allah knows best
Ilyas Patel,
Qurba Institute for Islamic Learning, UK