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His name is Rasheed. Does he have to change it?

20-04-1999

Question 3231

My question is very Important as it is very disturbing.
my name is rasheed . A brother told me that it is "Kufr" to be named rasheed and he backed his statement with the statement of an "aalim".
Please let me know if this is true and if so what the proof is.
JazakaLlahu Khairun.

Answer

Praise be to Allah.

There is nothing wrong with a person being called Rasheed , just as there is nothing wrong with being called Saalih

[righteous], Khaalid [eternal] or Maalik [owner]. They are merely names. If a person is called, for example, Lateef [kind] or Hakeem [wise], this is permissible although Allaah is al-Lateef, al-Hakeem. The person who is called Lateef or Hakeem is not like the Creator, may He be glorified, Who is called al-Lateef al-Hakeem. Both the Creator and His creation may be wise or kind or gentle, or own things, in a manner that befits each of them. However, there are names that are befitting only for Allaah, and it is not permissible for a human being to be called by them, such as al-Raaziq (the Provider), al-Baari’ (the Evolver). And Allaah is the source of strength.
Names and Nicknames
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