—just, never bearing false witness, for a witness is accepted only when he is upright. Anyone who strays from fairness in his testimony—by adding to the truth or detracting from it—resembles the testimony that the Jews and the Christians gave concerning the Messiah.

Moreover, if the meaning of “Paraclete” is al-ḥāmid (the praiser), al-ḥammād (the one who praises abundantly), al-ḥamd (praise itself), or al-muʿizz (the comforter/supporter), then the description clearly fits Muhammad—may Allah bless him and grant him peace. He and his community are the incessant praisers who thank Allah in every circumstance; he is the bearer of the Banner of Praise; praise opens his sermons and unlocks his prayer. Because he was a ḥammād (one who praised profusely), he was rewarded with a name that mirrors that quality—for recompense corresponds to the nature of the deed. Thus he was named Muhammad and Ahmad.

As for the name Muhammad, it follows the morphological pattern of mukarram (honored), muʿaẓẓam (exalted), and muqaddas (sanctified): it denotes one who is praised in superabundant, emphatic measure and truly deserves that praise. Since he is ever-praising Allah, he is Muhammad.

And in the poetry of Ḥassān ibn Thābit: