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Muslim Mamas tribe - Page 7

post #121 of 1560
10/31/07 at 10:06am
Salam sisters,
I have a question about baby names. I was wonderring what types of names are not allowed in Islam? I know that there are some things that aren't allowed, but when I searched the fatwa banks, I wasn't able to really find a good answer to my question. So, I was hoping someone here could help me out. I am specifically wonderring about using English pronunciations of certain names found in the Quran instead of Arabic. Also, I think I read somewhere not to use the names of angels, is that correct? So, that would mean something like Gabriel couldn't be used, right? Any insight would be very helpful. I still have many months to figure this out, but I want my baby to have a good, Islamic name, while still being "American" enough to make dh happy. :

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post #122 of 1560
10/31/07 at 10:29am
Assalaamu alaykum,

Jennifer, I didn't know you're pregnant! Yay!

Here's what I've heard about names. You want a good name with good meaning. It doesn't have to be an Arabic name although those are preferred. I know many Muslims named Jibreel (Gabriel) and I don't think that's haram. Some are also named Mikhail (for the angel aka Michael.) However, there are a few names we're not supposed to use. Names of gods or goddesses like Diana or Apollo. The 99 names of Allah without "Abd" or "Abdul" or "Abdi" (slave) at the beginning. So we're not supposed to name our son Rahman, but Abdurrahman is fine. Does that make sense?

On the other hand, you wouldn't want to name your child "Abd" of anything else, like Abdu Rasul (slave of the Prophet/Messenger) because we're not supposed to be slaves to anyone besides Allah.

You may have been all over this already but here's a link with some more info on naming a Muslim baby.

You could also e-mail Sunnipath with your question if they don't have good answers on the website. I find them very moderate and helpful and they also have a good grasp of English (I believe many of them are native English speakers), which is not always the case with the dot-com fatwas! They have always gotten back to me in reasonable time as well.
post #123 of 1560
10/31/07 at 11:38am
Thanks! I just found out I am pregnant and haven't told many people. With this being #5 for us, not many people will be happy for us.

Thanks for directing me to Sunnipath too. I was able to find it there. I haven't used Sunnipath in awhile, because when I was first considerring converting, I found their views to be too conservative, but now they don't really seem that way. (I guess I have changed more than I thought. )
post #124 of 1560
10/31/07 at 11:49am
They are orthodox/traditional but moderate, IMO. I think you can be both!

Quote:
I guess I have changed more than I thought
That happened to me too!
post #125 of 1560
10/31/07 at 12:08pm
Actually my own understanding is that names belonging exclusively to God are not permitted, but that does not mean the 99 names of God are entirely excluded ... one might be called Rasheed, for example, without "'Abd al-". It may be something about which there is a matter of both more and less strict rulings co-existing, I suppose. I'd always heard the same -- that it's something forbidden -- until I met my husband's nephew Kareem and inquired further.

There are hadith that the most beloved names before God are 'Abdullah and 'Abdur-Rahman. After that as far as I know it is preferable to follow the names of the prophets, after that the names of the pious companions of the prophets, and after that simply any name of a good meaning.

While names of Angels and certain other particular names may be common, I'm sure I've read of scholars giving reasons as to why, while not forbidden, they are disliked. Perhaps someone else might know more than me on that. Again it might be co-existing rulings.

Best of luck in choosing, at any rate!
post #126 of 1560
10/31/07 at 1:28pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ammaarah View Post
They are orthodox/traditional but moderate, IMO. I think you can be both!

That happened to me too!
Salaam aleikum

I guess many reverts been down that path hehe... I started out as a "hadith-rejector", and look at me now... Alhamdulillah!
post #127 of 1560
10/31/07 at 1:48pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Liquesce View Post
Actually my own understanding is that names belonging exclusively to God are not permitted, but that does not mean the 99 names of God are entirely excluded ... one might be called Rasheed, for example, without "'Abd al-". It may be something about which there is a matter of both more and less strict rulings co-existing, I suppose. I'd always heard the same -- that it's something forbidden -- until I met my husband's nephew Kareem and inquired further.
I have read that too. Like you said, probably difference of opinion. Thanks for more info. I hope to have another little Muslim next year some time, inshaAllah (not pregnant yet but getting a little more hardcore with TTC) so it's good to know.

MashaAllah, Nabbe! Funny how things go!
post #128 of 1560
10/31/07 at 2:09pm
if you want to use names found in the Qur'an, e.g. names of the Prophets, Sahaba/Sahabiyat or Mothers of the Believers, there is no prohibition against using the English equivalent, as far as i know. My son's middle name is Suleimaan, but I could have used Solomon. i know many muslims with names like Sarah, Adam, John, etc.

just find a name with a good meaning and you should be fine. i am considering Hawa for my baby girl, insha'allah.
post #129 of 1560
10/31/07 at 3:38pm
I have get different answers to the name issue. Some are of the oppinion that we can not use Noah instead of Nuh or Aron instead of Harun, because its a childs right to have an islamic name... To have a muslim identity, and to be identified as a muslim, and not be mistaken for a christian.

That said, I could definately go for Noah and Aron, but there are other names I would never change. I would not use Abraham instead of Ibrahim, or John instead of Yehya.

But its all about preferences...
post #130 of 1560
10/31/07 at 4:54pm
arabic names do seem to sound more islamic, even if there is no huge huge difference. i like the way many of them sound just for aesthetic reasons myself. i am leaning towards Hawa for my daughter, insha'allah.
post #131 of 1560
10/31/07 at 5:28pm
MashaAllah, Hawa is beautifull! I could never substitute that with Eve, or Eva as we say here in Norway.
post #132 of 1560
10/31/07 at 6:35pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Nabbe View Post
MashaAllah, Hawa is beautifull! I could never substitute that with Eve, or Eva as we say here in Norway.
thanks Nabbe! yes, i agree that Eve/Eva do not compare to Hawa in any way : my husband's ancestral name is Dolo and there is a beautiful West African lullaby called Hawa Dolo by Ali Farka Toure. i know it sounds corny, but when i knew it was a girl, Hawa was the first name that came to mind, so soft and delicate (so unlike me LOL!
post #133 of 1560
10/31/07 at 6:54pm
I LOVE the song Hawa Dolo by Ali Farka Toure, LOVE IT LOVE IT LOVE IT
What a beautiful name...we are eating mafe tonight, thought of you arizona umi...inshallah one day we will sit around a bowl together.
Fallou is full of energy.....
post #134 of 1560
11/1/07 at 9:28am
Last night we had Iyan (pounded yam) and stew! That is my favorite African dish. mmmmmm....

Now what to make for dinner tonight? Hmmmm????
post #135 of 1560
11/1/07 at 12:50pm
Anyone got some good african recipies to share? West-African? I love "peanutsoup", and domoda... But cant make domoda though... Anyone?

Today we are having leftover Sri Lankian food from yesterday, but instead of rice, we are having couscous with it. Kids will have leftover pizza from the fridge.

We are sooo trying to focus more on not throwing food, but its not easy...
post #136 of 1560
11/1/07 at 1:02pm
ooh, domoda, yum!!! i know how to make it but i am pressed for time right now. insha'allah i will post the recipe when i get home. the recipe is almost the same as mafe except you use flour water instead of peanut butter to thicken the sauce. the process is kind of hard to explain but i'll do my best when i get a minute to sit down and write out the recipe. i have some other recipes too that i should post.

oh, mamefati, you know the song?! Hawa Dolo is so beautiful. and i have been craving mafe lately. i guess great minds think alike. maybe the day we'll share a bowl of mafe is not too far away

Mama Aminah, i have never had Iyan. is that like fufu? fufu is my son's favorite food but not so much mine. i can't get the grasp of swallow, not chew LOL!

one thing that we always make when time and ideas are running out is Yassa. do a google search for the recipe. it's really easy and really good.
post #137 of 1560
11/2/07 at 1:09am
well now i understand why my mouth dosent like fufu..chewing and all!
I am going to try and write down some recipes for you mommas, I kind of cook by throwing it all together so I need to get it all organized and out of my head. will be posting those soon.....Please send along any of yours, I love food from anywhere as long as it's yummy!

arizona umi- malian music is like the soul of all the others, its like the momma. I LOVE it and Ali Farka Toure was my first love that opened that door. My Bambara friend gave me his tape and from that day on, I was hooked! I always dreamed of having the song.....shoot, i'll have to find it, played at my wedding. Well, we had a traditional muslim marriage ceremony and there was no music at the mosque!

Mommas- I have an extra copy of the book "So long a letter" by Mariama Ba, a great Senegalese female writer. It is her account of her emotions and lif after her husband took on a second wife. Great book- love to hear any woman speaking from their heart.....first one who says they want it, I will send it to you..
Fallou is awake.....
post #138 of 1560
11/2/07 at 10:15am
so long a letter is my FAVORITE book!!!!!!! i love mariama ba. my sil has my copy or else i would definitely get your extra one LOL!!!
post #139 of 1560
11/2/07 at 3:59pm
Hey assalamulaykum,
I have to ask you guys your opinion on something. We just had our second DC 5 days ago alhamdullilah. We are so so happy, but I am really exhausted. Since the baby was born we have had people coming over including my husband's parents etc. I haven't had the best relationship with them but I understand their place in our lives and try to be respectful and stay quiet when they say things that bother me. But needless to say, having them around isn't exactly relaxing for me because of that. My DH feels obligated whenever he is home taking care of me this week that he should pick them up and bring them over (they live about 10 min away). I asked him if I could have some time alone, I just needed some time to recover and I felt like it was very healing to have just him, and the kids with me. He understands that but he still goes back and forth because he feels guilty about them.
I don't know if I'm just being selfish... but I'm not exactly asking them not to come at all. I just wanted the weekdays while my husband was home to spend with just the family. He's usually so busy with two jobs that we never get that time anyways and I feel like this is a very rare opportunity. I told him to bring them tomorrow (after I had gotten very angry and lost my temper and cried about them coming today ). Am I asking for too much?
post #140 of 1560
11/2/07 at 4:29pm

Extended Breastfeeding and Islam

Hello Sisters, I am writing here because I had a question regarding extended breastfeeding and Islam and am seeking some advice. My daughter is 16 months and she is still nursing happily. I love nursing her and am not planning on weaning her and in fact, and I hope to practice child led weaning which I understand may mean she will nurse until she is 3-4 or even later. I am perfectly fine with it. However, my family-in-law are devout Muslims and they have said that nursing is allowed only until age 2 when the child should be weaned. (btw, I converted when my husband and I got married.) My husband actually, does not encourage nursing after age 2 either despite all the health benefits I have outlined for him. I don't think it is a religious issue for him however, it is more of a social issue. I am not so worried about dealing with my husband though (I still have time to work on him and he knows that I am a real lactivist!), but I am really distressed about dealing with his father, mother, and siblings who are all very religious. I really need to get my husband on board with child led weaning and hopefully he will be an ally when talking to his family. I have a friend who is also Muslim and she nursed until age 4 and she thinks the ban on nursing after age 2 may be a cultural thing as opposed to a religious one. Any advice out there?? Please help!!Thanks so much!!

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