[Q 511] Ruling on Naming a Daughter “Zuḥā”

QUESTION:

What is the ruling on keeping the name “Zuḥā” for a daughter?

ANSWER:

In terms of the literal meaning of the name Zuḥā, there is no inherent objection. However, it is not appropriate to give children such names that are not found to be commonly used in the Qur’an, Hadith, or among the Aslāf (pious predecessors). Therefore, it is better not to keep names that are not used for people in the Qur’an, Hadith, or by the Aslāf.

In the blessed Hadith, there is a clear emphasis on naming one’s children after pious individuals, such as the Anbiyā (Prophets), Awliyā (saints), and Ṣaḥābah رضي الله تعالى عنهم, and this is a Mustahab (recommended) act.

It is mentioned in Mu‘jam al-Wasīṭ:

الضُّحَى : ضَوُءُ الشمس. الضُّحَى ارتفاع النَّهار وامتداده.

(Al-Mu‘jam al-Wasīṭ, Bāb al-Ḍād, Vol. 1, p. 535, Dār ad-Da‘wah)

In Musnad al-Firdaws bi-Ma’thūr al-Khiṭāb, there is a blessed Hadith narrated from Sayyidah ‘Ā’ishah رضي الله تعالى عنها:

تسموا بخياركم واطلبوا حوائجكم عند حسان الوجوه

(Al-Firdaws bi-Ma’thūr al-Khiṭāb, Hadith 2329, Vol. 2, p. 56, Dār al-Kutub al-‘Ilmiyyah, Beirut)

In Fatāwā ‘Ālamgīriyyah, it is stated:

التسمية باسم لم يذكره الله تعالى في عباده ولا ذكره رسول الله ﷺ ولا استعمله المسلمون تكلموا فيه والأولى أن لا يفعل كذا في المحيط

(Fatāwā ‘Ālamgīriyyah, Kitāb al-Karāhiyyah, Bāb al-Thānī wa al-‘Ishrīn fī Tasmiyat al-Awlād wa Kunāhum wa al-‘Aqīqah, Vol. 5, p. 362, Dār al-Fikr, Beirut)

In Bahār-e-Sharī‘at, it is stated:
“Keeping such a name which is not mentioned in the Noble Qur’an, nor in the Hadiths, nor is it commonly used among Muslims—there is a difference of opinion among the scholars regarding it; it is better not to keep such a name.”

(Bahār-e-Sharī‘at, Bayān-e-Nām, Vol. 3 (Alif), p. 60, Maktabat-ul-Madīnah, Karachi)

Answered by: Usman Madani (Ask Mufti scholar)
Translated answer
Date: 23rd January 2026