I read in a book on `aqiqah that we cannot name ourselves or our children with the following names of the Prophet: al-Mâhî, al-Hâshir, and al-`Aqib. Is this correct? What if one removes the definite article “al” from before these names? Would it then be permissible to name one’s child Mâhî, Hâshir, or `Aqib?
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “I have five names: I am Muhammad, I am Ahmad, I am al-Mâhî for Allah eliminates disbelief by me, I am al-Hâshir since all people gather under me at the day of Judgment, and I am al-`Aqib”. [Sahîh al-Bukhârî (3532) and Sahîh Muslim (2354)]
I do not know any objection in Islamic Law to using these words – mâhî, hâshir, and `âqib – as personal names, even if they are prefixed with the Arabic definite article al-.
It is lawful to use these words as names after the death of the Prophet (peace be upon him).
The only exception would be if the intention of the person giving the name is to imply that the person being named possesses the same quality for which the Prophet (peace be upon him) was given that name. That would be prohibited on the basis of the person’s intention in doing so.
Otherwise, the basic ruling in Islamic Law is that it is preferred to use the names of the Prophets and of pious people when naming ourselves and our children.
And Allah knows best.
Source: Islam Today
-- Al Arabiya Digital