The hadeeth “The best names are those which describe one as a slave of Allaah or which are derived from the name Muhammad” is not saheeh

Praise be to Allah.

This hadeeth is not saheeh and it has no basis. 

It says in Kashf al-Khafa (1/468): “The best names are those which describe one as a slave of Allaah or which are derived from the name Muhammad”. Al-Najm said: This is not known. It was also narrated with the wording, “The most beloved of names to Allaah are those which describe one as a slave of Allaah or which are derived from the name Muhammad”, al-Suyooti said: I could not find any source for this hadeeth. End quote. 

It says in al-Maqaasid al-Hasanah (p. 87): As for what is frequently said, “The best names are those which are derived from the name Muhammad or which describe one as a slave of Allaah”, I do not know it. End quote. 

Al-Albaani (may Allaah have mercy on him) said: “The best names are those which describe one as a slave of Allaah or which are derived from the name Muhammad” – there is no basis for this, as has clearly been stated by al-Suyooti and others. End quote from al-Silsilah al-Da’eefah, 1/595, no. 411 

There is a saheeh hadeeth about the virtue of being a slave of Allaah and giving the names ‘Abd-Allaah and ‘Abd al-Rahmaan. Muslim (2132) narrated that Ibn ‘Umar said: The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “The most beloved of your names to Allaah are ‘Abd-Allaah and ‘Abd al-Rahmaan.”

 And Allaah knows best.