Does one who names his child with a name that entails servitude to other than Allah Almighty commit an act of disbelief, and does one who is named thus commit an act of disbelief if he does not change his name, and how should others address him?
It is forbidden to be named with any name that signifies servitude to other than Allah Almighty, as scholars have agreed on the prohibition of naming with 'Abd al-Uzza, 'Abd Amr, 'Abd al-Ka'bah, 'Abd al-Nabi, 'Abd al-Masih, Malik al-Muluk, and the like. However, one who is named with such a name does not become an infidel, and one who embraces Islam is not required to change their old name unless the name is something that is not permissible to uphold Islamically, such as a name signifying servitude to other than Allah, or one that is specific to disbelievers. As for mentioning these names for informational purposes and not for the purpose of naming, it is permissible, as the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, did by mentioning his grandfather 'Abd al-Muttalib and 'Abd Manaf, and his saying about the Dajjal, "I imagine him resembling 'Abd al-Uzza bin Qatan."
Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026
Read the full answer on Ftawyhttps://ftawy.com/en/questions/167365