Question: 177296
Is it permissible to name animals?
Praise be to Allah, and blessings and peace be upon the Messenger of Allah.
There is nothing wrong with giving animals appropriate names. Al-Bukhaari (2872)
narrated that Anas (may Allah be pleased with him) said: The Prophet (PBUH) had a she-camel called al-‘Adba’, that was never beaten in a race.
Al-Bukhaari (2627) and Muslim (2307) narrated that Anas (RA) said: There was a disturbance in Madeenah, and the Prophet (pbuh) borrowed a horse belonging to Abu Talhah that was called al-Mandoob, and rode it. He said: “We have not seen any cause for panic, and we have found it (the horse) to be swift-footed.”
Al-Baghawi (may Allah have mercy on him) said: This shows that it is permissible to name animals; it was the custom of the Arabs to give animals and weapons names by which they would be known if they were to look for them, apart from ordinary names (nouns). al-Bukhaari gave this chapter the title: Chapter on Naming Horses and Donkeys.
Then he narrated a number of hadeeths concerning that, such as the hadeeth which says that the Prophet (PBUH) had a horse that was called al-Laheef (2855), and he had a donkey that was called ‘Ufayr (2865).
Al-Muhallab said: The fiqh concerning this matter is that it is permissible to give names to animals other than what they are usually called. Abu’d-Darda’ had a camel called
Damoon. Narrated by Ibn al-Mubaarak in az-Zuhd, 1173
Abu Qataadah had a horse called al- Jaraadah. Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 2854
Al-Manaawi said, after mentioning some of the reports that were narrated concerning this matter:
This shows that it is acceptable in sharee‘ah to give names to horses, mules, donkeys and other animals by which they may be told apart from others.
See: Zaad al-Ma‘aad, 1/132-134; al-Mawsoo‘ah al-Fiqhiyyah, 11/338
And Allah knows best.
Source: islamqa.info/en/answers
You can use human Arabic or Islamic-sounding names for pets, but you should avoid using names of the Prophet Muhammad, his companions, or other revered figures to prevent disrespect or
demeaning them. Instead, opt for beautiful Arabic words that are appropriate as pet names, like “Ameeza” (Princess), “Jameela” (Beautiful), ..
What to Avoid
Names of Prophets and Companions:
Do not use names like Muhammad, Aisha, or other highly respected individuals associated with Islam.
Demeaning Names: Avoid any name that could be seen as a form of disrespect or degradation.
Terms of Endearment: Names like “my gold” (Zhahabi) are acceptable pet names.
Names of Animals: You can use the names of animals, such as the Prophet’s she-camel, Al-’Adba.
Considerations
Context: Choose names that reflect the pet’s personality or appearance.
= Make sure the name is easy to say and won’t be embarrassing in public.
Yes, it is acceptable in Islam to use common names or descriptive nicknames for pets, including those that might sound like
human names, as long as they are not disrespectful to religious figures, do not have negative connotations, and do not cause the pet to be a target of mockery.
Permitted Practices
Descriptive names: You can name a pet based on its physical characteristics, such as “Mr. Tabby” or “Miss Black Mama”.
Common or affectionate nicknames:
You can use affectionate terms or nicknames for pets, similar to how parents use them for children, as long as they don’t cause offense.
Animal-related names: Names like Asad (lion) or Fahad (cheetah/leopard) are acceptable and even common for people in Muslim cultures, and can also be used for animals.
Forbidden Practices
Disrespectful names: Do not name a pet using the names of the Prophets or other highly revered figures in Islam, like Muhammad.
Names with negative meanings:
Avoid names that have bad or distasteful meanings, as these can be considered offensive or lead to mockery.
Names causing offense or discomfort:
The chosen name for a pet should not be offensive, ridiculous, or cause a person to be ashamed.
Miracle’s Note:
Please take some time to check within your community, and also in other communities, about the names being used for animals. Sometimes, such names may unintentionally hurt the feelings of others by referring to human beings or religious figures.
If you come across such cases, kindly and gently explain to them that if someone were to use their own or their community’s respected names in this way, they would also feel hurt. The goal is only to raise awareness and advise politely, not to force anyone to change. By doing this, you have fulfilled your part with respect and goodwill.
