Introduction

This article is a Comprehensive Guide for Nicknames. No doubt the matter of giving names is one of the most important issues in people’s lives, because a person’s name is a title which says something about him, and is essential for communicating with him. It is an adornment and symbol for the person, by which he is called in this world and in the Hereafter. It is indicative of the religion to which he belongs, and makes him feel that he is one of the followers of that religion.

It is not permissible for a Muslim to call his fellow Muslims by offensive nicknames, even if he only calls it for fun.

Qur’anic verse on A Comprehensive Guide for Nicknames

Allah, may He be exalted, says (interpretation of the meaning):

“O you who have believed, let not a people ridicule [another] people; perhaps they may be better than them; nor let women ridicule [other] women; perhaps they may be better than them. And do not insult one another and do not call each other by [offensive] nicknames. Wretched is the name of disobedience after [one’s] faith. And whoever does not repent – then it is those who are the wrongdoers” [al-Hujuraat 49:11].

However, if a person does not hate to be called by a given nickname, then this is not included in calling each other with offensive names which the verse mentioned dispraised its doer. Ibn Jarir states that the nicknames forbidden by the verse are the nicknames that are not liked by the addressee. Accordingly, the words that remind of insulting are included in this prohibition. In that case, when a person calls his Muslim brother or when he talks to him, he should not call or address him with a name or nickname that he does not like. For instance, he must not use a nickname implying that a person is poor or an expression that indicates a person’s disability.

Hadith on A Comprehensive Guide for Nicknames

It was narrated from ‘Abdullah ibn Mas‘ood (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said: “Insulting a Muslim is an evil action and fighting him is disbelief (kufr).” Narrated by al-Bukhaari (no. 48) and Muslim (64).

Calling by offensive nicknames taken lightly

Nick Names might seem funny and funky, but in reality, it is the harshest thing you would do to an another person as it is not allowed in Islam!

In Islam, calling a person from his or her original names describes his or her identity. In Asian culture, especially in India or Pakistani, we name each other as Guddu, Raju etc making their original identity hidden!

Lessons A Comprehensive Guide for Nicknames

What Kind of Nick Names are Not Allowed In Islam?

We mostly name our friends upon their weaknesses, for example, if someone is not good with their education so we start calling him or her “Hey, Duffer!” and eventually, it becomes their name in their friends’ circle which almost lasts forever. It is not permissible to abbreviate a name or give an individual a nickname which denotes any offence, humiliation, resentment or indecent and hurtful meaning.

We should be cautious about distorting the Islamic connotations of blessed names of Prophets and companions (may Allah be pleased with them all) and needlessly making them meaningless. There are various examples of such names in vogue, including, Muhammad to Moe, Ismaeel to Issy or Ishy, Ibrahim to Iby etc

What Are Kinds Of Nick Names Allowed In Islam?

Then we come to point what kind of Nicknames that are okay in Islam. The wrong nicknames were calling a person, “Dumb, Stinky, Shorty etc” but here we will talk about the names which are allowed, such as “Abu Hurayrah”

It is permissible to call a person with a nickname or an abbreviation of his or her name in order to express one`s love and affection or for brevity purposes.

Consider the following:

• The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) sometimes called his wife ‘Aishah (may Allah be pleased with her) “Humairaa” (one with pink cheeks) and “‘Aa`ish”(an abbreviation of her name);
• The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) also addressed Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) as “Abu Turab” (father of soil) when he saw him covered with dust lying in the Masjid;
• Another companion was famously known as “Abu Hurairah” (the father of the kitten), due to his love for cats.
• Similar to that, Abu Bakr (RA)’s name was “Abdallah bin Abi Quḥafah“, and “Abu Bakr” was given to him as a nickname by Muhammad (PBUH). And Uthman Ibn Affan (RA) was called “Zun-noorain” (Owner fo two lights) by Muhammad (PBUH).

Conclusion

One of the main factors for the debate over nicknames is the way people use them nowadays. Human creativity improved, and that has reflected in the way we give nicknames. Giving nicknames may not be all that bad, but it should be good names. Let us take a pledge to stop insulting people by calling them with hateful nicknames

We should call each other with respect, and name nicknames which are insulting are indeed prohibited under the light of Quran and Hadith, as quoted above. Give each other nicknames which are rather respecting, as our Prophet (PBUH) gave to Abu Bakr (RA) and Abu Hurayrah (RA) and Uthman Ibn Affan (RA).

If you still call any of your friend with a short harsh name, then you are committing a sin! And if you are feeling the nickname should be given, then try giving that person a good name, as out Prophet (PBUH) gave.

References

• Sahih Muslim, Kitab Al Adab, The book on general behaviour
• Good Character: A Comprehensive Guide to Manners and Morals in Islam (Islam in Practice) Paperback – Import, 1 February 2009 by Musa Kazim Gulcur (Author)
• DARUSSALAM PUBLICATIONS, Good Character, AUTHOR: Abdul Malik Mujahid

CAT 4 – Phase 1 Topic T0010 Nickname (meaningless)

Islam gives high rewards based on the intention of the person