should get into the habit of calling the Beloved Rasool صَلَّى اللهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم            with great respect and reverence always by his Sifaati (attributive) names such as Ya Rasoolallah, Ya Habiballah, etc. Generally, all the names of the Beloved Rasool صَلَّى اللهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم are certainly worthy of reverence and respect and are dear to Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ, but amongst them the glory of the name ‘Ahmad’ and ‘Muhammad’ is unique because these are two blessed names which are very dear to Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ.

Blessed names dear to Allah

‘Allamah Mufti Muhammad Amjad ‘Ali A’zami رَحْمَةُ اللهِ تَعَالٰی عَلَيْه has stated: ‘Muhammad’ and ‘Ahmad’ are the blessed names of the Beloved Rasool                     صَلَّى اللهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم and it is obvious that Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ Himself chose both these names for His beloved. Had these both names not been very dear to             Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ, Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ would not have chosen them for His Beloved Rasool              صَلَّى اللهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم. (Bahar-e-Shari’at, vol. 3, pp. 601)

Then every wise person can easily understand the importance and excellence of the name ‘Muhammad’ amongst these two blessed names, but regretfully, the evils of ignorance are increasing in our society as we have been getting away from the blessed Nabawi era. A very glaring example of it is that some unwise people search such names for their children which are not given to anyone in the home, family, neighbourhood, etc. Whoever hears them, feels surprised and says: How excellent the name is! O! We have heard this name first time, etc., etc. Similarly, some unwise people choose meaningless names for their children or مَـعَـاذَ الـلّٰـه عَزَّوَجَلَّ name their children after the names of non-Muslims, اَلْاَمَان وَالْحَفِیْظ.

Surely, all this is the result of lack of Islamic knowledge and having no awareness of choosing names for children. Remember! Names are not only related to the worldly life, but rather people will also be called by the same names on the Day of Judgement by which they are called in the world. Sayyiduna Abu Darda رَضِىَ اللهُ تَعَالٰی عَـنْهُ has narrated that the Beloved Rasool                      صَلَّى اللهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم said, ‘On the Day of Judgement, you will be called by your names and your fathers’ names. Therefore, choose good names.’

(Abu Dawood, vol. 4, pp. 374, Hadees 4948)