Shaykh Muhammad Nasiruddin Al-Albani was asked:

Question:

What is the ruling on using the names Mumin, Imaan, and Huda?

Answer:

“These names have two oppositions as I mentioned: the first, is that they include a praise. It comes in the authentic Hadith the prohibition of using names that have within them praise. It comes in the Saheeh that the Prophet (ﷺ) changed the name of one who was named Barrah to Zaynab. In this regards, it is said appropriately:

فَلاَ تُزَكُّواْ أَنفُسَكُمْ هُوَ أَعْلَمُ بِمَنِ اتَّقَى

‘Ascribe not purity to yourselves. He knows best him who fears Allah and keep his duty to Him’ [53:32]

The second issue is that the early Muslims did not name themselves with these names. Unfortunately, the innovation of using names, whether men or women, that are not known to be names has spread. The names may be names of materials or characteristics and these characteristics are not acceptable in regards to some people. For girls, names like Sihaam, Wisaal, Nihad, and what resembles that [are used]. As you know, these are names that are not known. Sihaam is the plural of the name saham [arrow] which is a tool used in war. However, this name is not honorable Islamically.

In general, these names have other oppositions. These names are not known names which follow the customs of the Early Muslims. So it is not allowed to name using these names”

[Taken from al-Mutafariqaat (Miscellaneous Fataawa) no. 12]

Translated by

Faisal Ibn Abdul Qaadir Ibn Hassan
Abu Sulaymaan