Assalam o Alaikum
I have a long standing query in my mind about the selection of the name for the newly born babies. It is said by certain religious scholars that the first letter in this case “alif” is to be suitable for the child personality according to the date of birth, the day of birth etc.
What is the truth regarding the above matter?
Khuda hafiz
Nafees Islahi
Madina Munawwarah, KSA
Dear Brother
Wa alaikum us salam wa Rahmatullah
There is nothing in the Quran / Sunnah about such rules. A baby can be given any good name and there are no rules mentioned in the religion. The only Islamic rule in naming babies is that the name should not have some polytheistic or immoral meaning.
Some people claim certain rules based on some occult sciences and mystical influences which have nothing to do with Islam. The concept “Arabic alphabets carry certain numerical value that has impact on human life” has no roots in Islam. Neither the Prophet صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم nor his companions رضی اللہ عنہم taught that. We do not find a single Quranic verse or a Hadith about it. However, this concept is found in the literature of Kabbalah (Jewish mysticism) and most probably, Muslims learnt it from Jewish practitioners of Kabbalah. Kabbalist practitioners assumed that Hebrew alphabets had some numerical value and they wrote talismans and amulets involving such numbers. The mystic impact of Hebrew alphabets was taken into consideration in making decisions like naming babies, starting business, arranging marriage dates etc. Muslim Sufis learnt this practice from Jews and gave numerical value to Arabic alphabets.
In my opinion, all this practice is nothing more than superstition and it has no place in the Quran and the Hadith.
wassalaam
Muhammad Mubashir Nazir
Don’t hesitate to share your questions and comments. They will be highly appreciated. I’ll reply as soon as possible if I know the answer. Send at mubashirnazir100@gmail.com.