Beauty of names and titles in Islamic civilization

Sunday, 02 January 2011

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Written by Dr. Ragheb Elsergany

Introduction:

The Islamic spirit of aesthetics was instilled into Muslims, and this pleasant attribute was deeply rooted into their souls and general sentiments so they came up with unique and additional works, some of which led to quantum leaps for human civilization. Such unique works even included very small life details. Consequently, Islamic civilization came to existence with totally aesthetic aspects.

Some of those whose names were changed by the Messenger:

The Prophet (pbuh) was interested in beauty even in view of the names of those who joined Islam. Many sound and good narratives said that the Prophet (pbuh) used to change the names which did not appeal to him into better ones. For instance, Ibn Umar narrated that the Prophet (pbuh) renamed `Asiya (disobedient) and said to her: "You are now Jameela (beautiful)[1]." He also renamed Zaham (crowd) Ibn Maabad al-Sadousi into Basheer (cheerful)[2]. Ali, May Allah be pleased with him, had named Al-Hassan as Harb (war), but the Prophet (pbuh) renamed him Al-Hassan (the best), and had then named Al-Huseein as Harb, but the Prophet (pbuh) renamed him Al-Hussein[3].

The Prophet (pbuh) also changed Asram into Zaraa, Abu al-Hakam into Abu Shareeh, and renamed Azeez, Otula, Shaitan, al-Hakam, Ghurab, Habbab and Shehab into Hisham, and renamed Harb (war) into Selm (peace), al-Muttajea into al-Monbaeth, Ard Afra (poor land) into Khadra (green land), Sheaab al-Dalala into Sheaab al-Huda, Banu al-Zania into Banu al-Rushda and Banu Mughwia into Banu Rushda[4].

Al-Bukhari narrated that Said Ibn al-Musaib quoted his father as saying that his grandfather Hazn was asked by the Prophet (pbuh): "What is your name?" "My name is Hazn (rugged land)," he answered. "No, you are Sahl (level land)," the Prophet (pbuh) said. But, he responded: "I'm not going to change the name which was chosen for me by my father." Ibn Al-Musaib went on to say: "We have been ever since suffering from rugged land.[5]"

The Prophet (pbuh) advised his nation to choose pleasant names by saying: "The best names for Allah, Glory to Him, are Abdullah and Abdulrahman, the sincerest names are Hareth and Hammam, but the worst names are Harb (war) and Murra (bitterness).[6]"

The Prophet (pbuh) renamed some places too. For example, when he went to Medina (Yathreb) he renamed it Tayiba (the good land)[7]. He hated those places which had unpleasant names, and even disliked going there. While moving between two mountains during one of his battles, he asked about their names. He was answered: Fadeh (disgraceful) and Mokhzi (shameful). So, he declined to move between them[8].

The Prophet (pbuh) even recommended that if somebody had wanted to send him a messenger, he should have had a pleasant name. He said: "Should you send me a messenger; he should have a pleasant face and a pleasant name.[9]"

Pleasant titles of caliphs and sultans:

In Islamic history, the titles of caliphs, sultans, ministers and emirs combined beauty and strength. But, in pre-Islamic period – in ancient empires – the titles reflected hegemony and despotism, aiming at horror and intimidation.

Islam has prohibited such titles. The Messenger (pbuh) was quoted as saying: "The worst name for Allah on the Day of Resurrection is the "king of kings.[10]"

Therefore, the caliphs and sultans added the name of Allah to their titles. Al-Mua'tasim Bellah, the eighth Abbasid caliph, had the lead in this respect. He was then followed by al-Mutawakil Ala Allah, al-Mustain Bellah, al-Montasser Bellah, al-Moqtader Bellah, al-Mustansir Bellah, al-Mustasim Bellah, al-Mustadiaa Benour Allah al-Nasser Ledeen Allah…etc.

The titles of ministers, emirs, scholars and leaders included Nejm Eddin ("Eddin" means religion), Shams Eddin, Diaa Eddin, Shehab Eddin, Badr Eddin, Saif Eddin, Salah Eddin, Qalb Eddin, Hussam Eddin, Sadr Eddin, Fakhr Eddin, Ezz Eddin, Rokn Eddin…etc.

Thus, pleasant names were a characteristic of Islamic civilization, and proved that their beauty extended to include all details.

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