What is the correct meaning of the name "Mahin"?
Scholars have striven to enumerate the names of the Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him. Ibn al-Qayyim mentioned that his names are of two types: specific names that no one else shares with him, such as Muhammad, Ahmad, and Al-Aqib (the last in succession); and general names that others may share, but he is distinguished by his perfection in them, such as Messenger of Allah and Prophet of Allah. As for naming him Al-Mahin (the contemptible), it is not permissible, because its meaning is "the lowly" or "the despicable," and this is unfitting for the prophetic stature. Perhaps the questioner misread the name "Al-Muhaymin" (the dominator/guardian) as "Al-Mahin." However, even if some scholars have mentioned Al-Muhaymin as one of the names of the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, the majority of exegetes believe that it is a description of the Book (the Qur'an), not the Prophet, as in the verse: "And We have sent down to you the Book in truth, confirming that which preceded it of the Scripture and as a guardian over it (muhayminan alayhi)" [Al-Ma'idah: 48]. We advise against using both names (Al-Mahin and Al-Muhaymin). Al-Muhaymin is one of the beautiful names of Allah, and it is not permissible to name a human being with it. Al-Mahin carries meanings of humiliation and lowliness, and Islam encourages choosing good names.
Summary from Ftawy's records · added here
Reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
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