A person’s name can have a prolific effect on his character. Saʿīd ibn al-Musayyab (رحمه الله) relayed:
My father [i.e. Al-Musayyab] (رحمه الله) said that his father [i.e. Saʿīd’s grandfather] (رضي الله عنه) said: “I visited the Prophet (ﷺ). He said: ‘What is your name?’ I responded: ‘[My name is] Ḥazn [which means harsh/rough/tough/always serious].’ The Prophet (ﷺ) said: ‘You are Sahl [which means gentle and easy going].’ I responded: ‘I will not change the name my father gave me.’” Ever since, we [i.e. Saʿīd and his father, Al-Musayyab] have always had an aggressive personality.1
Allāh’s Messenger...
In these latter times it has become rampant among people to refer easily to individuals as being ‘imām’. It has even gotten to the point where the one being given this title is from among the smallest person of knowledge. This is a matter that, had it not been for the extreme effects such titles hold, would have been considered insignificant.
However, these titles have an effect as a person may hear an individual being described as an imām and henceforth emulate his opinions. Despite the fact this person is not deserving of such emulation. This is also like the widely dispersed saying concerning...
The scholars of Islām agree that everyone must have a name. Ibn Ḥazm (d. 456 AH) (رحمه الله) mentioned: “The scholars agree that every man and woman must have a name.”1 However, Islamic law may require some people to change their names. In fact, Allāh’s Messenger (ﷺ) himself changed many people’s name. He even changed the names of some places.
Sahl (رحمه الله) narrated:
The Prophet (ﷺ) said: “Where is the baby?” Abū Usayd (رضي الله عنه) replied: “We sent him home.” The Prophet (ﷺ) said: “What is his name?” Abū Usayd (رضي الله عنه) said: “So and so [is his name].” The Prophet (ﷺ) said: “No!...
The Permanent Committee for Islamic Research and Fatāwá were asked:1
[Q]: We have taken on the habit in our country of prolonged gatherings [or wakes] as a way of condolence on the occasion of someone’s death. These gatherings last for a week or more and have become extravagant; we spend large sums of money on sacrifices [for our guests] and other opulence. To the point where those sending condolence for the dead may exert themselves by traversing long distances [only for the purpose of these wakes]. Moreover, they may speak at length concerning those who choose not to be in attendance, associating...
Although these three things are used to identify a person, they achieve this differently:
Name
The word that is used to identify you from birth and does not usually contain the word Ab or Umm or any form of praise or insult, like ʿAbd al-Raḥmān, Ḥamzah, Yaḥyá, ʿĀʾishah, Laylá.
Laqab (Nickname)
Any word that usually succeeds your name in Arabic and contains some sort of praise or insult, like tall in the laqab tall Uways [i.e. Uways al-Ṭawīl], and blind in the laqab Blind Muḥammad or Muḥammad the Blind [i.e. Muḥammad al-Aʿmash]. Utilising the first type of laqab is allowed; however, utilising...
Imām ʿAbd al-ʿAzīz ibn ʿAbdullāh ibn Bāz (raḥimuhullāh) said:1
As for the beard, it is impermissible to shave it or take anything from it at any given time; rather it is an obligation to let it grow due to that which has been affirmed in the Ṣaḥīḥayn (Bukhārī and Muslim) on the authority of Ibn ʿUmar (raḍi Allāhu ʿanhu) who said, the Prophet (ﷺ) said:
‘Oppose the polytheists, lengthen the beard and clip the moustaches.’
Likewise, Imām Muslim collected in his Ṣahīh, on the authority of Abū Hurayrah (raḍi Allāhu ʿanhu) who said, the prophet (ﷺ) said: ‘Trim the mustaches and...
All praise is for Allāh, Lord of the Worlds; and prayers and peace be upon the Master of the Prophets and Messengers, and his household, family and companions; whomsoever follows them with goodness until the Day of Recompense. To Proceed:
Allāh the Mighty and Majestic has made the figure of the human being very well and pleasing. As He said,
لَقَدْ خَلَقْنَا الْإِنسَانَ فِي أَحْسَنِ تَقْوِيمٍ ﴿٤﴾
“We have certainly created the human being in the best of moulds.”
[al-Tīn, 95:5]1
It is proven that man’s figure is very well and pleasing. And Allāh the Mighty and Majestic has created humans in...