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Naming a Baby Boy Mikaeel: Is it a Good Idea?

Answered as per Hanafi Fiqh by Muftionline.co.za

Q: Can we name a baby boy Mikaeel?

Bismillaah

A: It is makrooh (undesirable) to keep the names of angels. The Hadith has discouraged keeping the names of malaaikah (angels) for one’s children. Similarly, Hazrat Umar (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) had expressed disapproval when he had heard someone keeping the names of malaaikah (angels). Hence, it is better for one not to keep the name Mikaa’eel for one’s child.

عن عبد الله بن جراد قال صحبني رجل من مؤتة فأتى النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم وأنا معه فقال يا رسول الله ولد لي مولود فما أخير الأسماء؟ قال: إن أخير أسمائكم الحارث وهمام، ونعم الاسم عبد الله وعبد الرحمن، وسموا بأسماء الأنبياء ولا تسموا بأسماء الملائكة، قال: وباسمك؟ قال: وباسمي (شعب الايمان للبيهقي رقم 8268)

Hazrat Abdullah bin Jaraad (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) relates: “On one occasion, a person from Mutah accompanied me and then came to Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) while I was with him. He said, ‘O Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam), a child was born to me. What is the best name (to keep for the child)?’ Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) replied, ‘The best of names are Haarith and Hammaam. Abdullah and Abdur Rahmaan are excellent names. Keep the names of Ambiyaa, and do not keep the names of malaaikah (angels).’ He then asked, ‘and (can I keep) your name?’ Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) said, ‘Yes, you may keep my name.’”

وعن عمر بن الخطاب رضي الله تعالى عنه أنه قال ما قنعتم بأسماء بني آدم حتى سميتم بأسماء الملائكة (عمدة القاري 15/39)

Hazrat Umar (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) is reported to have said: “Are you not satisfied with the names of humans, that you are keeping the names of malaaikah (angels)?”

Keeping the names of malaaikah (angels) was not common among the Sahaabah, Taabi’een and our pious predecessors for centuries. Hence, it is best to keep names which conform to the practice of the Sahaabah, Taabi’een and our pious predecessors.

And Allah Ta’ala (الله تعالى) knows best.

حدثنا هارون بن عبد الله حدثنا هشام بن سعيد الطالقاني أخبرنا محمد بن المهاجر الأنصاري قال: حدثني عقيل ابن شبيب عن أبي وهب الجشمي وكانت له صحبة قال: قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم: تسموا بأسماء الأنبياء وأحب الأسماء إلى الله عبد الله وعبد الرحمن وأصدقها حارث وهمام وأقبحها حرب ومرة (سنن أبي داود رقم 4950)

Answered by:

Mufti Zakaria Makada

Checked & Approved:

Mufti Ebrahim Salejee (Isipingo Beach)

This answer was collected from MuftiOnline.co.za, where the questions have been answered by Mufti Zakaria Makada (Hafizahullah), who is currently a senior lecturer in the science of Hadith and Fiqh at Madrasah Ta’leemuddeen, Isipingo Beach, South Africa.

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