Bearing the name 'Rama'

417

Q: What is the ruling of the Shari`ah (Islamic law) on naming somebody Rama as some claim that it is not permissible to use this name because there is a temple in India called Rama and it is peculiar to non-Muslims as well. I am not going to change this name until I receive your Fatwa (legal opinion issued by a qualified Muslim scholar) in this concern. May Allah reward you with the best!

A: There is nothing wrong with naming a person Rama because the basic ruling concerning names is permissibility except for adding the word `Abd (servant) to anyone other than Allah (Exalted be He). However, if it is proved that the abovementioned name is a name of a temple in which people worship other than Allah (Exalted be He), it will not be permissible to take it as a name because this glorifies and propagates this temple.May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad.