Ruling on this name (Noorullah)

Question: 145607

I have a friend whos name is “Noorullah” is it allowed in Islam to use this name? how can I advice him if this name is not allowed in Islam, and second question: were the angle from the noor of Allah.

Answer

Praise be to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon the Messenger of Allah and his family.

It is makrooh to use the name “Noorullah” because it may lead to thinking that the person so named is part of the Light of Allah (Noor Allah) — which is one of His attributes — in a real sense, and this is an unacceptable and false meaning. It is akin to what those who believe in incarnation, such as the Christians and extreme, Sufis believe, and it is like what some misguided people say, that Muhammad (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) was created from the Light of Allah.

But if what is meant by the name “Noorullah” is light created by Allah, although Allah is indeed the Creator of all light that exists in the universe, and He is the Illuminator of the heavens and earth, this name in this grammatical construction, “Noor Allah (light of Allah)” is improper and is contrary to the way of the Qur’aan and Sunnah, and contrary to the custom of the Muslims.

Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyah (may Allah have mercy on him) said:

Light can never be mentioned in relation to Allah in a genitive (possessive) construction if it is intended to describe something tangible. So it cannot be said of lamps in this world that they are the light of Allah; that cannot be said of the sun and moon either. End quote.

Majmoo‘ al-Fataawa, 6/392

In addition to that, using this name in the latter sense comes under the heading of praising that is not allowed in names.

Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen (may Allah have mercy on him) said:

A person should not give his son or daughter a name in which there is praise. End quote.

Fataawa Noor ‘ala al-Darb, 23/228

See also the answer the questions no. 1692 and 117474.

Shaykh Ibn Baaz (may Allah have mercy on him) was asked about the name Noor al-Daa’im.

In his answer he said:

If what is meant by Noor al-Daa’im (eternal light) is referring to Allah and He is Eternal, this name should be changed, lest it be thought that this refers to the Light of Allah which is one of the divine attributes, because there are two types of light, the Light that is an attribute of Allah, which is unique to Him alone, may He be glorified and exalted; and created light, such as the sun, moon, and so on – these are created lights.

The light of Islam is like the created lights.

So he should change his name so that it will not be misunderstood.

End quote.

Duroos Mufarraghah al-Shaamilah, 10/29

See also the answer to question no. 110494.

And Allah knows best.

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