Answered by: Maulana Jamal Ahmed
Question
Asalamualaikum.
We wanted to name our daughter one of these. We have heard that the meaning should be good, no matter whether it is of Arabic origin or not. The names are as follows:
Aleeza, meaning JOY
Aliza, daughter of Ali radiyallahuanhu
Amara, meaning eternal beauty
Liyana, meaning softness or tenderness
Eliza, meaning unique or precious
We wanted to know if by choosing one of these names whether we are:
committing shirk or any sin, or if it is haram in any way to name any of these. We are especially interested in Eliza. please guide us.
In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
Answer
Wa Alaikum salaam.
When keeping a name the following points should be kept in mind:
It is best not to keep a name which Allah has not used for any of his servants, or the prophet has not mentioned it or which is not common among the Muslims.
It is best to avoid names which can be a cause of bad omen, for example, “Barakah” meaning blessings, because when someone asks “Is barakah in the house?” and you need to answer with no.
You should avoid names that indicate self-glorification, for example, Barrah meaning pious.
It is not permissible to keep names that denote shirk, for example, Abdunnabi, slave of the prophet.
Generally, a name that has a good meaning and does not have any elements of shirk, is allowed to keep such names.
The name Eliza is a Greek baby name. In Greek the meaning of the name Eliza is: From the Hebrew Elisheba, meaning either oath of God, or God is satisfaction. Famous bearer: Old Testament Elizabeth was the mother of John the Baptist and one of the earliest known bearers of this name; Queen Elizabeth II.
http://www.sheknows.com/baby-names/name/eliza
In conclusion, it is best to avoid this name because it is not among the names of the pious.
التسمية باسم لم يذكره الله تعالى في عبادة ولا ذكره رسوله – صلى الله عليه وسلم – ولا يستعمله المسلمون تكلموا فيه، والأولى أن لا يفعل.
Raddulmuhtar, pg.417, vol.6, Darulfikr
ولا يسمى الغلام يسارا ولا رباحا ولا نجاحا ولا بأفلح ولا بركة فليس من المرضي أن يقول الإنسان عندك بركة فتقول لا، وكذا سائر الأسماء.
Raddulmuhtar, vol.6 pg.418, Darulfikr
ولا يسميه بما فيه تزكية نحو الرشيد والأمين.
Raddulmuhtar, vol.6 pg. 418, Darulfikr
أقول: ويؤخذ من قوله ولا عبد فلان منع التسمية بعبد النبي ونقل المناوي عن الدميري أنه قيل بالجواز بقصد التشريف بالنسبة، والأكثر على المنع خشية اعتقاد حقيقة العبودية كما لا يجوز عبد الدار اهـ.
Raddulmuhtar, vol.6, pg. 418, Darulfikr
Only Allah knows best
Written by Maulana Jamal Ahmed
Checked and approved by Mufti Mohammed Tosir Miah
Darul Ifta Birmingham