and the most beloved of them to Allah. It is authentically reported from the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, that he said: “The names most beloved to Allah are Abdullah and Abd al-Rahman.” (1)

As for the report, “The best names are those denoting servitude and praise,” (2) it has no basis and is not authentically established from the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him. If he does not wish to name him Abdullah or Abd al-Rahman because these two names are so common within his extended family, and he fears confusion—as occurs in some large clans, where a letter sent to one person may reach another who shares his name, or where he has to be identified by mentioning his lineage back to his fifth grandfather or the like—then he may give him another name, but he should choose what is more suitable and better.

It is unlawful to give a name expressing servitude to other than Allah. Thus, it is not permissible to name someone Abd al-Rasul (servant of the Messenger), Abd al-Husayn (servant of Husayn), Abd Ali (servant of Ali), or Abd al-Kabah (servant of the Kabah). Ibn Hazm reported a consensus that this is prohibited, with the exception of Abd al-Muttalib, since it is authentically reported from the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, that he said: “I am the Prophet—this is no lie—I am the son of Abd al-Muttalib.” (3)

Some scholars inferred from this that it is permissible to use the name Abd al-Muttalib. However, the hadith provides no proof for this, because it is a statement of fact, not an act of naming. The Messenger was speaking of his grandfather—that is, of a name that had already been given, whose bearer had died. A statement of fact is not like an act of naming; this is why