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On names and feelings.

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On names and feelings.
amatullah
03/10/03 at 20:34:24
On names and feelings.

Adil Salahi, Saudi Arabia.
[ Questions and comments can be e-mailed to Br. Salahi at:
islam@arabnews.com ]

The Prophet was keen to show his companions, and his followers in later
generations, that it is important to give a good impression, or impart
a
good feeling to other people. Hence, he instructed his companions to
choose good names for their children. It is indeed something that we
owe
to our children, so that other people welcome them when they state
their
names. Similarly, the Prophet taught his companions not to say things
about themselves that may give a bad or a wrong impression. For
example,
he is authentically reported to have said: “Let none of you say, ‘I am
foul’; rather, he should say, ‘I do not feel well’.” (Related by
Al-Bukhari, Muslim and Al-Nassaie). The same Hadith is also related by
Abu Dawood through a different narrator.

What the Prophet points out here is that we should not attribute any
foul status or feeling to ourselves, even if this only means that we
are
complaining of some illness, pain or discomfort. The Arabic word the
Prophet uses for “foul” is derived from the same root as “evil”. Hence,
he wanted Muslims never to attribute evil to themselves, because evil
is
Satan’s work. When one wants to express a certain condition, he should
make clear that he is only talking about what he feels at that
particular moment, and he should simply say that he is not in the best
of feelings or spirits.

Similarly, our names are like marks attached to us. Hence, we should
not
give the wrong marking to our children or ourselves. Once a delegation
from an Arabian tribe came to the Prophet and he heard them calling one
of them Abu Al-Hakam. It should be explained that “Abu — means “father
of”. This is a form of address that indicates respect. Normally the
Arabs used it in reference to each other, whether the person concerned
is present or absent. This is still the case today in many Arab
countries. It could be attached to a man’s eldest son, or to a
particular quality of his, or to something special to him.

What was special in this case is that this man was called Abu Al-Hakam.
As a name “Al-Hakam” was never very common. It means “the arbiter.” It
is derived from the same root as “rule” and “government”. Hence, when
the Prophet heard these people calling their tribesman Abu Al-Hakam, he
asked him to come over to him and said: “It is God who is the arbiter,
and to Him all rule belongs. Why have you called yourself Abu
Al-Hakam?”
The man said: “It was not so. But when my people are in dispute over
something, they come to me and I arbitrate between them. Both parties
are happy with my ruling.” The Prophet said: “How beautiful!” He then
asked him how many children he had. The man said: “I have Shurayh,
Abdullah and Muslim. They are all the sons of Hani.” The Prophet asked
him who was the eldest and the man informed him that Shurayh was. The
Prophet said: “Then you are Abu Shurayh.” He prayed for him and for his
children.

The same Hadith mentions that the Prophet heard the same group calling
another man Abd Al-Hajar. He called him and asked what was his name and
the man repeated that. So the Prophet said: “No. You are Abdullah.”

When the delegation was about to leave, Hani came to the Prophet and
said: “Tell me what would ensure admission into heaven for me?” The
Prophet said: “Make sure to say kind words and offer food.” (Related by
Al-Bukhari in Al-Adab Al-Mufrad, Al-Nassaie, Abu Dawood, Al-Tirmithi
and
others)

The first thing to note about this Hadith is that the Prophet took
names
seriously and wanted his companions to have only what is good and
acceptable for their names. Here we see him changing two people’s names
or titles. In the first case, the man was given a nickname on the basis
of his sound judgment, and his fairness. But since Al-Hakam is an
attribute of God, giving such a name to a man is discouraged. There was
nothing wrong with the name or the nickname itself. Indeed, it imparted
a sense that the person concerned is wise and highly respected. But it
is better not to use it on account of the uneasy feeling it may
generate
because it is associated with God.

When the man explained to the Prophet the reason for having been given
this nickname, the Prophet commended him. Realizing that the man may
feel that it was a name indicating his honorable position, the Prophet
asked him about his children and the name of his eldest son. He then
replaced his title by the more normal one of calling him as the father
of his eldest son. He added a prayer for him and his children.

In the second case, the man was called Abd Al-Hajar. “Abd” means
“servant or slave”, and it is acceptable only when one of God’s names
or
attributes is added to it. But in this case, what was added is
Al-Hajar,
which means “the stone”. This perhaps was a reference to an idol made
of
stone, or to a particular stone his people honored. Such a name could
not be accepted in an Islamic community. Hence, the Prophet changed it
immediately, calling the man Abdullah, which is an amalgamation of the
two words: Abd and Allah. So there can be no confusion. He would admit
to serve God only.

We note that in both cases, there was a very good reason for changing
the two men’s names. Indeed the Prophet did not change the name of any
of his companions, unless there was a valid reason for doing so. When a
name is in breach of an Islamic value, or when it has a bad meaning,
the
Prophet changed it. Otherwise, his companions retained their original
names.

The last portion of the Hadith indicates that the first man, Hani, who
used to be called Abu Al-Hakam, was of strong faith and sound mind. He
asked the Prophet a direct question, wanting to know the shortest way
to
heaven.

The Prophet told him of two qualities, which such a wise person could
readily appreciate: kind words and generosity. Both demonstrate
kindness
and care for others. When people are well received and offered food and
hospitality, they are grateful. Offering these when one is able to do
so
does not only earn people’s gratitude. It earns reward from God. When
these become normal characteristics of a person, they ensure admission
to heaven.

http://www.arabnews.com/Article.asp?ID=287


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