What is the ruling on being named (Ghareeb), and was this name authentically reported from any of the Companions, the Tabi'un, or the righteous?
Source: FtawySummary from Ftawy's records · added here Sep 2, 2026
The basic principle regarding names is permissibility. The name "Ghareeb" (meaning strange or foreign) is among the permissible names. There is no evidence in Islamic law or language to suggest it is disliked. It has been mentioned in the that Islam began strange and will return strange. Furthermore, the use of this name has been established within the Muslim community without objection. Among those named with it was the Companion Ma'iz ibn Malik al-Aslami, and other scholars. There is no harm in naming with it, though names that denote servitude to Allah and the names of prophets are superior to it.
Summary from Ftawy's records · added here
Reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
Read the full answer on Ftawyhttps://ftawy.com/en/questions/26615
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- Ftawy
- Original fatwa ID
- 26615
- Added here
- . This is when the answer was added to El Fatwa, not the fatwa's date.
- Text
- Summary from Ftawy's records, reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
- Read the full ruling
- Read the full answer on Ftawy