Islamic marriage advice and family advice

Rahil as a name

 

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Salam,

God has blessed me with a baby boy, and I am wanting to keep the name Rahil. But I am a little unclear and confused as to whether it would constitute a good name, or indirectly a bad meaning name. Please help!!! I have  as a first point of call consulted with sheikh google, and out of 5 meanings 1 has said it is negative; ie: it means 'to go away' - leave. The rest have said it either means 'traveller' or 'journey'. Some have said 'pathfinder' and some 'path guider'.

Second stop was to a local masjid run by mainly Arab-background muslims, but I left there more confused than before I went. In a nutshell,he said it was ok but maybe I could name him something better. Maybe not too good a choice of name. He said Raheel meant 'traveller', but he never heard the name Rahil. Please help as I really want to name him that and I have to register his name in 5 days. I don't want to risk getting it wrong and then having to change again.

jazak allah if you do reply,

-wisam


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5 Responses »

  1. Salaams,

    First of all, I think Raheel and Rahil are the same name- just spelled differently. That happens often when names are translated out of their native tongue.

    Secondly, the majority of the meanings seem to indicate something to do with paths and travel etc. You only said there was one 'negative' meaning- which you said was "to go away", but personally I don't see this as a negative meaning. It actually seems in line with the other translations, which implies movement from one place to another. It may have been a poor translation, that one; but even if it meant "leaving/going away" it doesn't mean it has to be bad. Sometimes we leave things that are no longer good for us, or sins.

    Finally, it seems that your desire to name the child Rahil has to do with your like for how the name sounds. I personally feel that names should be chosen first based on meaning, and secondly due to how it sounds (just my personal preference; this isn't based on some fatwa). How do you feel about the meaning, is what I would ask you. Do you want your son to be a traveller, or to have something in his character that has to do with finding a path in life? If so, stick with the name. But if you really want something deeper or more meaningful for him, try to find a name that suits what you're looking for.

    -Amy
    IslamicAnswers.com Editor

  2. Assalaamualaikum,

    Your children have rights over you, and one of the rights is giving them a good name. Most recommended names in Islam fall as under:

    1. Abdul (Name of Allah) like Abdullah, Abdul Basit, and so on....
    2. Names of Prophets like Ahmed, Mohammed, Ibrahim... and so on..
    3. Names of pious people, Sahabas..
    4. Names with a good meaning.

    A name is not just a name it has an effect on the baby. When we name our child Mohammed, we hope that he will turn out to be like our Prophet Mohammed (saws)

    And since you say that Rahil has some negative meanings, I would suggest you rethink the name.

    Congratulations on the birth of your son, May he be the coolness of the eyes of your wife and you and May he live a long life and be your Sadkatul Jariya (on going charity) after you are no more in this world. Aameen.

    • As salaam
      I have a son named Rahil . I dont feel.anything negative in a name. Allah destines everything and i would say people with the best of bestest names cause such difficulties and miserys to their own so in a name lies nothing. My son Rahil is veey fond of me and i dote on him. My only desire in life is to be laid to rest by my sons only. Please dont think negative and the more deeper u think d more confusion arises..

  3. As Salam aa laekum,

    Surprize! Surprize! The Arabs are unsure about the name Rahil has left me a bit flabbergasted because Arabs ought to know a little bit more about Rahil.

    Well, Jacob -- Yaqoob (Alihi Salam) had two wives. The first one was Leah with who whom he had 10 sons and then there was Rachel with whom He had Benjamin and Joseph (alihi salam). Now, the Arabic name for Rachel is Rahil or Raheel.

    I've just confirmed this after cross checking in the Abdullah Yusuf Ali's translation of the Quran. Thus, any misgivings related to this name can be put to rest. Though, this was one of the Prophet's wife's name, I would ask you to go ahead and name your son after him.

    May Allah bless you and your son. Aaafa Allahu Annka!

    • Asalam alekum. Congrats with your baby boy. Rahil- Or Raheel... I don't know if you pronounce it this way but I've heard the names Rahel (Ra-Hell) is how you say it lol ,...forgive me for the 'Hell' word. Rahel has another meaning and that's is - Rain...

      Wa salam

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