Islamic marriage advice and family advice

Is it allowed to give the name of Jibril for a new born boy?

Muslim names

Dear all,

I am pregnant of few months. I found the name of Jibril very beautiful.

But many people, like even ulama, scholars or sheikh says this is not advised in Islam to give name of 3 angels, and among them there is Jibril.

I have done a lot of online research and I havé not found any hadeeth.

I'm confused. I don't want to give up on this name because of people saying this and finding out later that it was allowed after all.

Thanks in Advance for your opinion.

Salam

~saraa


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43 Responses »

  1. Dear Saraa, Asalaamualaykum,

    I've never heard or read that your children cannot be given the names of three specific angels, one being 'Jibril'. Can those who have told you this, inform you of the source of their opinion? If so, please state it here so we can look into it.

    Have a read of this article, insha'Allah it will be useful for you: http://www.zawaj.com/muslim_names.html

    SisterZ
    IslamicAnswers.com Editor

    • actually thats problem. i have not got any source. only stahtttttome sheikh
      who said ... but no source as hadith or aya in coran. i live in koweit and even here people told me why would not be allowed. i have not found serious source or proof.

      • Sister,

        I just did an internet search and came up with information from a reliable website namely http://www.islam-qa.com. It mentions that it is acutally makrooh to name someone with an angel's name:

        '...It is makrooh to use the names of angels, or to call people after the names of soorahs in the Qur’aan, such as Ta-Ha, Yaa-Seen, etc. These names are al-Huroof al-Muqatta’ah (letters which appear at the beginning of some soorahs; their meaning is known only to Allaah – Translator), they are not names of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him). See Tuhfat al-Mawdood by Ibn al-Qayyim (may Allaah have mercy on him), p 109...'

        (Source: http://www.islam-qa.com/en/ref/7180/ )

        Although there is no evidence from Quran and Sunnah provided there, I do know that the website is reliable. So I would say, if you are in doubt, then avoid using that name 'Jibril'. Name your child something else which actually has a beautiful meaning to it and one in which there is no doubt.

        On the authority of Al-Hasan bin Ali, the grandson of the messenger of Allah, who said : I memorized from the messenger of Allah his saying: "Leave that which makes you doubt for that which does not make you doubt." (Narrated by Termithi and Nasaee, and Tirmithi said it is true and fine hadith.)

        SisterZ
        IslamicAnswers.com Editor

        • Thanks sister for the info. I didn't know this hadeeth and looks logical actually, I already have a shortlist of names, I will remove jibril and focus on the others.
          Thanks again for your research and valuable reply. Salam sis.

          • You're welcome dear Sister.

            Please remember me in your duas.

            SisterZ
            IslamicAnswers.com Editor

          • Asalaam alaikum,

            I found the hadith you were looking for!

            In his book Tuhfatul-Mawdud fi Ahkamil-Mawlud, Imam Ibn Al-Qayyim, under the title “What is preferred among the names and what is considered reprehensible”, wrote: “… and among them are the names of the angels such as Jibril (Gabriel), and Mika’il and Israfil, it is makruh (disliked) to name human beings with these names. Imam Malik (may Allah bless his soul) was asked regarding naming someone Jibril and he abhorred it.

            Judge `Ayyad said: ‘... and others allowed it.’ `Abdur-Razzak said in Al-Jami`: “I said to Hammad ibn Abi Sulaiman: ‘What would you say regarding a man whose name is Jibril or Mika’il, and he responded: ‘There is nothing wrong with them.’”

            Regarding the Hadith: “Do not name yourselves with the names of the Angels.”, Al-Bukhari said that the validity of its chain of narration is questionable. This means that the hadith would not be considered authentic. (Tuhfatul-Mawdud, p. 83)

            In the Kuwaiti Encyclopedia of Islamic Jurisprudence, most of the scholars have ruled that using the names of the angels like Jibril and Mika’il is not makruh. Malik, on the other hand, has ruled that it is makruh.

            Some have stated that Jibril means `Abdullah and likewise does Mika’il. (Tafsir Ibn Kathir: Surat Al-Baqarah)

            So it seems that if you are of the Maliki school, this is not preferable, though the hadith is questionable nonetheless.

            I have met many Christians with this name, as that of the English interpretation Gabriel for Jibril and Michael for Mika'il.

        • so no evidence in the quran and no evidence in the sunnah means THERES A DOUBT? I name my son jibreel and he super blessed. lets avoid beyond quran and sunnah

          • Ma Sha Allah!

            I also want to name my child Jibreel if Allah Paak Blesses me with one IA!
            All the best to the young soldier in both worlds!

          • if u have doubt then let it go don't do something its our prophet hadees

        • There can be no doubt. If it is makrooh or haraam, it must be proven from Quraan or Hadeeth. I named my son Jibreel.

          Ive heard ulema give the same answers but with no proof. We cannot say it is disliked if there is no evidence to prove its disliked.

          We even name our children after the best of mankind. What makes the angels names makrooh? They must give an answer. Ive hear some say its to do with someone poking fun at u as if you the angel. But then the same can be said about the names of the prophets we give our children.

          There is certainly advise to say give ur children names with beautiful meaning and hence no names with bad meanings. We cannot keep us more holier and humble than the prophets were. And our deen is complete and has an answer witb evidence to every question that one can probably asking pertaining to items of importance.

      • I also got the same idea and asked my mom, but she said that it'd be better if you don't give a child the name of any angel.

        • Brother Wael,

          I think that it may be because names like that (various angels or pious persons, or "Diamond," "Star," "Precious," etc.) put pressure and expectations on the child/adult to be extraordinary in some way, when the child just wants to be normal and fit in.

          Nor
          IslamicAnswers

      • I have same question if I want to give this name to baby is it some kind of sin because of the name meaning

  2. See here:

    http://www.zawaj.com/articles/names_prohibited.html

    There is a hadith which prohibits calling children by the names of angels, but it is classified as da'eef (weak). So there is no real evidence for this. Personally I have met Arabs named Jibreel or Mikhaa'eel, but they were Christians.

    Scholars have disliked calling girls by the names of angels, because the pre-Islamic Arabs claimed angels were the daughters of Allah. As far as boys, it is not prohibited, but as I said in practice it's just not done.

    Allah knows best.

    Wael
    IslamicAnswers.com Editor

    • Thanks wael.

      Actually, in my culture, many are called redwane which is also name of angel, that's why I was confused.

      Also it's written that names of names of Surah are also prohibited as Yasin, it's also very common name in my parents home country. It's probably because they are not convinced by the Da3ef Hadith.

  3. Alhamdulilah respected brothers and sisters. The name jibril it is permissible advIsed by a mufti, Islamic scholar 100 percent right. Any enquiries please contact mufti Saab. Mufti.com

  4. Salam so brother an sister can someone give me the most accurate source of is it allowed or not as this is my koonya(nickname) and I will like to call my son by this name inshallah if god wills me a son

    • Walaykum salaam,

      The Maliki school considers it disliked, but it is permissible. All other schools of Islam deem the name permissible, as well. Please read the decision up above, so yes, you may use that name.

  5. can some one shortly tell me that jibril name can keep or not.. thnx

    • Permissible but disliked (makruh)

      • How on earth is it possible that an angel name is makrooh! It can be unalloyed for some other reason, which I don't think it is but not makrooh, everybody stop saying that please.

  6. My doctor is a Muslim she
    Has this name I think is so cute marsallah.

  7. Dear All,

    Assalamu Alaikum va rahmathulaahi va barakaathuhu.

    Have read the Full conversation/page in which no where any Quranic verse or authentic Hadeeth objecting the name "JIBREIL".

    Though I have named my son "JIBREIL" (my intention is to make this angel more very popular among the people--Coz' many of them doesn't aware about him.specially Non-Muslims that too Asian part & WORSE case even Muslims too are unaware. So thought of educating in a wide sense. Of-course am practicing still now....& Insha allah(swt) will be in future too.

    concluding the name holds no problem. Lets follow ISLAM @ its own sense delivered.

    note: Could anyone post me where does the word "MAKROO" comes from --need with proof of any authentic hadeeth.

    wbr
    ABU JIBREIL va JIBRAAN

  8. I kept this name for my newly born Son, Because I love my son and the most respected Angel jibreel

  9. I also really like this name Jibrail. When we can have our surname as mohammed (saw name )n ya seen is also very common name which is also a name of a surah then I think there should be no harm in keeping angels name . It will be too early to say this, I'm still single bt if Allah bless me with 2 sons then I ll surely name them Jibrail n mikail. In Sha allah

    • Assalamualaikum,

      Think from a wordly n teenage aspect of names.
      Yes, its good to keep names of angels but y it is a bit problem because... Wen a born child grows to his young hood ,As usual he wud have friends.. Later as now a days people or friends or best friends calls a person either nick names or shortcut of his full name.or sometimes teases their names too..which might be a joke. But it hurts a bit to the as angel who has name... (Urdu/Hindi)>" Naam rakhiye ,lekin aisa rakhiye ki uski bi'adbi naa ho ,soch samaj k rakhiye ..kyun ki naam ka b asar pardta hai zindagi main".. I don't know I could be able to translate quoted sentence into English or not,if anyone can else can correct me ..he/she can.. But I wud try it. I quoted "the name should be kept in such a way that it get respected,though sometimes friends tease or use shortcut name to call..the name shudnt get disrespected.. Indeed choosing and keeping a name do also plays a one of the major role in life "... I hope I conveyed my intension in right manner.. If any mistake,forgive me brothers n sisters..
      Jazak Allah...my name is Faraz.. Remember me ur duas 🙂 and mabrook to all sisters here for new child .. Allah SWT bless u n child with barakah,rehmat, truth, knowledge,jannah n success .....ameen
      Assalamualaikum.

  10. The Quraan instructs us to give beautiful -meaning names to our children. If people can give Rasul Allah(PBUH)'s name to their sons, without being disrespectful, angel's names are not above that. May Allah forgive our mistakes.

  11. Sister did you find any answer i like to change my name as well

    • @AbdulJaleel, why do you wanna change your name?, that is my name and in sha Allah it is a very good name....

      Also on the Jibreel name issue, i just gave my son that Almighty Allah SWT blessed me with a couple of weeks ago but the bone of contention is the spelling and pronunciation. People from my side call it Jubril but i read its Jibreel.

      Please i will be glad if i am enlightened on the correct pronunciation and spelling and the meaning of JUBRIL if there is anything like it.

      Masalam

  12. Assalam o Alikum Sister,

    Regarding the naming your kid Jibrail

    It's Makrooh according to Imam Malik (rh) and Imam Al Qayyim (rh) .

    What I find was a Hadith which is authentic one where Rasoolullah (s.a.w) changed a girl's name from "Asiya" to "Jamila" on the basis of it's meaning i-e disobedient .
    Here it is :
    Ibn 'Umar reported that Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) changed the name of 'Asiya (Disobedient) and said: You are Jamila (i. e. good and handsome). [Muslim]

    On the other hand if you know the name of Pharoh's wife who accepted the Dawah of Hazrat Musa her name was "Asiya".

    By the tradition of Rasoolullah (s.a.w) what I understand is that name's meaning is important then it's relation (nisbat- that's what we call in urdu) with someone.

    Jazakallahu Khayr

    • عاصية means disobedient and is spelt in Arabic with the letter 'Ayn /ع.

      اسية is from the holiest 4 women of mankind and was the wife of Pharoh. This name is spelt with Alif /ا.

  13. I have asked many scholars about using this name . Every single scholar said that IT IS PERMISSIBLE. The name has a beautiful meaning - Slave of Allah.. So it is permissible.

  14. It is permissable but not preffered because according to my understanding these are not just any angels, but archangels who are very mighty and they directly serve the creator in the highest heavens. Just dont ever intend that the children will serve the parents or any1 in that sense except the creator. While keeping the name make a formal intention that this child will be only a servant of God immitating the goodness of the great angel, then it should be gud i guess.

  15. Ruling on naming humans with the names of angels - islamqa.info

  16. I’ve heard the same, your not supposed to keep any names of angel due because it is said angels do not have a specific gender. Angels are neither male or female. But you should see if it possible to add another name after Jibril

  17. Aslamo Alaikum

    Actually I also want to give the name of angel to my son, but I am still confused to read all the comments. In short any one guide me we can give the names of angel or not.
    Other wise suggest me good name of baby boy, I have already 2 sons one is Mohammad Adi Bin Numan and Second one is Mohammad Ahmad Sardar.

    Jazak Allah

  18. I'm naming my son Mikael.. I believe that Allah loves everything he created.. and I'm sure this includes angels.. whats wrong in naming your child with such God abiding angels...

    • I don’t think there is anything wrong in naming someone Jibrail. These are all the same scholars and imams who can’t even decide which day Ramadan starts and ends. There all confused and need to be educated as how to get along with each other and Muslims from every country. After we all become united, we can come back and give opinions. Till then I’m naming my child Jibrail if it’s a boy, inshallah!

  19. I am interested in Jibreel.

    If we can give Rayaan and Eliyeen names to our children which means door to Janat and highest place in Janat created by Allah like He has creatted Angels. Islam is very simple and based on your own logical thinking.

    I love the one comment that by giving Jibreel name people will get to know about this Angel.

    Rest, Allah knows the Best.

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