Brother Asalam Alaikum In a Islamic Name Book I saw a name Ribah , companion of our Prophet. I was inspired with this name and put the name Riba Enterprises to my new form company. I registered the firm and completed all government formalities. Now I come to know that the meaning of this word is interest which is looking very unislamic . I am upset very much . Although in my mind ( niyat ) it was Islamic . At this stage I am not in a position to change the name . Brother let me know what is the effect of name , it context , what should be answer if some one ask about the name, in respect to keep my niyat in mind.. Yours truly!
Answer
(Fatwa: 127/11=TL/1429)
Ribah (رباح) does not mean: interest. Interest or usury (which is called riba not ribah) is a kind of special profit, while ribah means a plain profit as it is mentioned in dictionaries. Therefore, there is no wrong in keeping the name as Ribah (not riba which means interest and which is written in Arabic like this: ربوا).
Allah (Subhana Wa Ta’ala) knows Best
Darul Ifta,
Darul Uloom Deoband