71- the ruling on naming someone: `Abdul-Rasul (1)

71- the ruling on naming someone: `Abdul-Rasul (1)
Q: Our fellow brother writes: We hear that some people name their children * Abdul-Rasul (the servant of the messenger), Abdul-Nabi (the servant of the prophet), Abdul-Hassan (the servant of Al-Hassan) and the like. Please give us a ruling on this.
A: This is not permissible, as a person should give names indicating servitude to Allah Alone, and it is prohibited to indicate other than Allah. Ibn Hazm Abu Muhammad, a well-known Imam (founder of a School of Jurisprudence) said: Scholars have unanimously agreed that it is not permissible to give names which signify servitude to other than Allah, i.e., it is forbidden to name one "Abdul-Harith, `Abd `Ali, "Abdul-Rasul (ﷺ), "Abdul-Ka`bah. All these names are not permissible, for they are of Jahiliyyah (pre-Islamic time of ignorance). Such names are also used by some Shi`ah (Shiites): "Abdul-Hussayn, "Abdul-Hassan, "Abd `Ali. However, they are all prohibited as servitude is to Allah Alone (Glorified and Exalted be He). Thus, a person should use names such as "Abdullah (The servant of Allah), "Abdul-Rahman (The servant of the Most Gracious), "Abdul-`Aziz (The servant of The All-Mighty), "Abdul-Qadir (The servant of The All-Able), "Abdul-Karim (The servant of The Most Generous) and so on. One can also use names like Salih, Muhammad, Sa`d, Sa`id, Malik or other names known to be used by Muslims. Praise be to Allah, this matter is flexible, thus, people need not use names that indicate servitude to other than Allah.
[Vol. 1, Page No. 187-188]