Samar Yahya
Naming a newborn baby whether a boy or a girl concerns parents and takes quite a good time and thought until they choose the perfect name for their baby. When choosing a name for a newborn baby, we usually look for a meaningful name. Some people believe that everyone’s name has a reflection on his character. Muslims always think of several possibilities for naming their babies. For a name of a girl, it is suggested to name a Muslim child after one of the women mentioned in the Holy Qur’an, or after one of the wives or daughters of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), or one of the important women of his time.
In the Holy Qur’an, one woman is mentioned by her name, while other virtuous women are mentioned by their story. We come to know their names from the mention of their husbands or from the Islamic tradition. While the Qur’an does not directly name any woman except for Mariam (also known as Mary), women play a role in many of the rich and varied stories that the Qur’an tells.
Mariam, is the mother of prophet Issa (Jesus). Her most notable characteristics were purity, constant worship, and devotion to Allah. Her story is told in many different verses, and the 19th chapter of the Qur’an is also named after her.
Hawwa, (also known as Eve) was the wife of Adam. She was the first female human. Most translators and interpreters derive the name Eve from the Hebrew verb which means to live or have life.
Sara; some linguists say that this name means a person of great personality. Sara was the wife of Prophet Ibrahim who gave birth to Prophet Ishaq in her later years. An indication of how important she was, Sara was mentioned in several verses in the Holy Qur’an.
Hajar; this word is derived from the verb to emigrate. Hajar was the second wife of Prophet Ibrahim; she gave birth to Prophet Ismail. She walked back and forth, up and down between the hills of Safa and Marwah, seeking water for her infant son. Walking seven times between the Safa and Marwah is a main ritual performed by Muslims during Hajj and Umrah.
Asiya, can mean the pillar, mediator, supporter, sorrow lifter, and sorrow helper. Asiya was the wife of Pharaoh; she was a believer while her husband was disbeliever and a tyrant. She cared for prophet Musa after his rescue as an infant. She protected Musa and stood up for him in front of her husband.
She was honored by Allah in the following verse in the Holy Qur’an:
{And Allah presents an example of those who believed: the wife of Pharaoh, when she said, “My Lord, build for me near You a house in Paradise and save me from Pharaoh and his deeds and save me from the wrongdoing people.} (Chapter 66, verse 11)
It is common for Muslims to pick names for their girls, from the names of the wives of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). To Muslims, the wives of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) are loved and cherished; they are known as the “Mothers of the Believers”.
Khadija, in the literal sense, means premature born baby. She was the first person to accept Islam and the first wife of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). He described her as follows, “She believed in me when no one else did; she accepted Islam when people rejected me; and she helped and comforted me when there was no one else to lend me a helping hand.”
Aisha means living. Aisha was known for her lively spirit, intelligence, and good memory. She became a teacher to other Muslims and a narrator of Hadith, sayings and traditions of the Prophet (peace be upon him). Many of the companions would seek her help in resolving difficult legal problems.
Zainab means a father’s precious jewel. Also a wife of the Prophet (peace be upon him), she was known for her extraordinary piety, righteousness, and generousness.
Hafsah was a special woman; she was the wife of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and the daughter of Umar ibn Al-Khattab. She was a woman who was not afraid to speak her mind, and she used to tend to the wounded on the battlefield.
Juwairiyah, this name indicates a person who is is brilliant and often inventive, full of high inspirations.
Hind, possibly means group of camels. Hind was the name of Umm Salamah. This strong woman, along with her first husband, was among the earliest converts to Islam. They emigrated to Ethiopia, and then to Madinah, and after her first husband’s death, she married the Prophet (peace be upon him).
Safiyyah means pure and sincere. Maymunah means auspicious; it also means the one who has been blessed. Mariyah is the Latin form of the English name Mary, and the Arabic name is Mariam.
Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) had four daughters: Zainab, Umm Kulthum, Ruqayyah, and Fatimah
Umm Kulthum means the one with a round face.
Ruqayyah, has several meanings; it means rising or ascent, also charm and incantation.
Fatimah means captivating. Fatimah was the Prophet’s youngest daughter and was deeply devoted to him, and she spent her spare time in prayer and worship.
