There are contradicting learned opinions when it comes to naming children after angels in Islam:
Majority Opinion
A majority of the Islamic scholars, particularly Hanbali and Shafi’i jurisprudence schools of thought, consider naming children after angels, particularly prominent ones like Jibrīl (Gabriel) and Mīkā’īl (Michael), to be makruh (abhorred) or haram (forbidden).
Their points against it are as follows:
- Angels’ uniqueness: The angels hold a special position among Allah’s servants who perform very special assignments, which do not involve sharing between people.
- Shunning similarity: There’s a principle of shunning unnecessary similarity between humans and God.
- Precedent: There’s scant historical precedent of early Muslims naming their children after angels.
Permissible View
Certain scholars, especially from the Hanafi and Maliki schools, hold that it is permissible to name children after angels, quoting:
- Quranic mention: The Quran mentions angel names without prohibition of their use.
- Historical examples: Some of the Prophet’s friends were said to have names that were similar to angels.
- No explicit prohibition: There is no clear, authentic hadith prohibiting such names.
Middle Position
The majority of contemporary scholars take a middle position:
- Avoiding names of significant angels (Jibrīl, Mīkā’īl, Isrāfīl, ‘Azrā’īl) out of respect
- Allowing names that are virtues shared by angels and humans (e.g., Amin trustworthy)
Cultural Considerations
In practice, names like Malak (which means “angel” and not the name of a specific angel) are employed in some Muslim cultures, while direct names of well-known angels are typically shunned.
If you are considering naming a child and you want to be guided by Islamic values, consulting an experienced local imam who knows both religious teachings and your cultural context would be advisable.
Conclusion
Although we may not see angels with our human eyes, Islamic beliefs inform us that the angelic beings are always with us, observing our behavior, bestowing favors, and implementing Allah’s purpose.
That they are not seen is not a sign of lack but rather that faith operates above what is discernible with the senses.
Perhaps there is a bit of sense in this organization. Angels are mostly invisible so that we can have an actual faith and not one based on what we can see.
This invisible connection between the world in which we live and the spiritual world enables us to live with greater responsibility, realizing we’re never really alone.
Whether we glimpse angels through religious sense, visions, or simply through seeing the blessings in our lives, their existence is a solace and reminder of the larger plan that exists beyond our own.
Secluded behind a veil we cannot normally penetrate, these radiant beings are nevertheless our constant companions on the path of life—unseen friends bridging us with the divine goodness that surrounds us all.
About the Author
