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Fatwa CenterNaming children with Persian names that have no Islamic origin
Question
I named my son Muhammad Shehzar.Then I read on a website that Persian names that have no Islamic origin should not be given to muslims. But to change his name in Mumbai, India a lot of legal hassles have to be gone through and shall have to be taken care of for the rest of his life. Is it prohibited or will it do if I let his name be Muhammad Shehzar?
Answer
All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, is His Slave and Messenger.
It is impermissible to name with a non-Arab name unless it is learnt that its meaning does not imply any connotation forbidden under Sharee‘ah. It is also impermissible to name with names that are peculiar to non-Muslims, like Joseph, John, etc. If the name is free from such prohibitions, it would be permissible to name with it.
Hence, if the name “Shehzar” does not imply a meaning disapproved by Sharee‘ah, it is not obligatory to change it.
Finally, we draw your attention to the fact that a Muslim should name his/her children with such good names as ‘Abdullaah, ‘Abdurrahmaan, and the names of the Prophets. For further benefit, see the criteria of names in Islam in Fataawa 82724 and 87262.
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