As for the number nine, He mentioned it in a context of condemnation, as in His words:

“And there were in the city nine men who spread corruption in the land and did not set things right.”

(Surah al-Naml: 48).

Did the Muslims therefore come to dislike uttering the word “nine”(1) because of those nine men, when these people themselves prefer using the word “nine”(2) to the word “ten”?!

The same applies to their aversion to names borne by those whom they hate. Some Companions bore names also borne by enemies of Islam. One example is al-Walīd, who was known as “the Peerless.” His son was one of the best Muslims and was also named al-Walīd. The Prophet (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) would supplicate for him during prayer, saying:

“O Allah, save al-Walīd ibn al-Walīd,”

as narrated by the compilers of the two Sahih collections(3). Another example is Ubayy ibn Khalaf, whom the Prophet (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) killed, while among the Muslims were Ubayy ibn Ka‘b(4) and others. Similarly, there was ‘Amr ibn Wudd (al-‘Āmirī)(5), while the Companions included ‘Amr ibn Umayyah and ‘Amr ibn al-‘Ās. There are many such examples.

The Prophet (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) never changed any Companion’s name merely because an unbeliever bore the same name.

Even if those whom they hate were assumed to be disbelievers, their aversion to names like theirs would be the height of ignorance, especially since the Prophet (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) himself used those names when addressing them.

It should be said to them: “Anyone among the people of knowledge and religion who has had dealings with the majority knows that they