Chapter: Revering the Names of Allah and Changing One’s Name for That Purpose

Abu Shurayh — may Allah be pleased with him — used to be called Abū l-Ḥakam. The Prophet ﷺ said to him, “Indeed Allah alone is al-Ḥakam (the Supreme Judge), and judgement belongs to Him.” Abu Shurayh replied, “My people, whenever they fall into a dispute, come to me and I arbitrate between them, and both sides go away satisfied.” The Prophet said, “How excellent that is! Tell me, what children do you have?” I answered, “Shurayh, Muslim, and ʿAbd Allah.” He asked, “Who is the eldest of them?” I said, “Shurayh.” He said, “Then you are Abū Shurayh.” (1) Reported by Abu Dawud and others.

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Relevance of this chapter to the Book of Tawḥīd: showing veneration for the Names of Allah, Exalted is He, and altering a name for that reason is part of realizing true monotheism.

Biographical note: Abū Shurayh’s given name was Hāniʾ ibn Yazīd al-Kindī, a Companion who later resided in Kufa and died in Medina in the year 68 AH — may Allah be pleased with him.

Respecting the Names of Allah: meaning to magnify them; the verb iḥtarama signifies guarding something’s sanctity and holding it in reverence.

Changing the name: that is, replacing it and putting another in its place.

For that reason: i.e., out of respect for the Names of Allah.