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Keeping the Name Māhir

6829 – 0183

Can I keep the name Mahir? What does it mean and did any of the sahabah or pious people have this name?

As salām ʿalaikum wa raḥmatullāhī wa barakātuhu

In the Name of Allāh, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.

The Messenger of Allāh ﷺ has encouraged giving children good names, as a name can have an influence on a person’s character. It is mentioned in a Ḥadīth:

إنكم ‌تدعون ‌يوم ‌القيامة باسمائكم وأسماء آبائكم، فاحسنوا أسماءكم

Translation: “Indeed, you will be called on the day of Qiyāmah by your names and the names of your forefathers. Therefore, choose beautiful names.”

We could not find any records in the biographies of the Ṣaḥābah y indicating that the name “Māhir” was used during the time of the Prophet ﷺ. However, the word “Māhir” means “expert, skilled, or proficient.” Due to its good meaning, it is permissible to name a child Māhir.

And Allāh Taʿālā knows best.