Naming daughter after his mother over wife's objection

17-6-2004 | IslamWeb

Question:

Can I name my daughter after my mother though my wife does not agree and creates troubles for me? Please advise.

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Answer:

All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger.

It is permissible for you to name your daughter after your mother especially if your mother likes that as this  is an act of obedience which brings happiness to your mother’s heart.

Your wife has no right to interfere in the naming of your daughter because this issue is one of the rights of the father as he is the guardian of the child and he is responsible for her. Ibn Al-Qayyim wrote in his book entitled "Tuhfatul Mawdud Bi Ahkaam Al-Mawlud": "The Fifth Chapter: The naming of the children is the right of the father and not the mother, and there is no disagreement among the people (i.e. scholars) about this issue, and if there is a disagreement between the parents  in regard to naming the children, then it is the father who has the right in naming the child, and each of the aforementioned Ahadeeth prove this. In addition to this, the child is traced back to his father and not to his mother, as it is said: The son of so and so (mentioning the name of the father). Allaah Says (what means): {Call them by [the names of] their fathers; it is more just in the sight of Allaah.} [Quran 33:5]”

So, dear brother, you should try to convince your wife kindly as to avoid any misunderstanding.  If she is convinced, then this is what is required, otherwise you have the right to name your daughter after your mother despite your wife’s disagreement as she has no sound reason for her objection.

Allaah Knows best.