Can I keep the name Jewel?

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

As-salāmu ‘alaykum wa-rahmatullāhi wa-barakātuh.

Brother in Islam,

Shariah has placed a great importance in choosing names. To this effect, the Prophet Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam has mentioned:

Translation: Whoever is graced with a child, he should give him a beautiful name and beautify his characters(Bayhaqi:8299)

Furthermore, Rasullullah Sallallahu Alaihi Wa Sallam has said:

Translation: Surely you will be called on the Day of Judgment according to your names and your fathers’ names. Therefore, beautify your names. (Abu Dawud: 4948)

In principle, it is preferred to keep names that are mentioned by Allah Ta’alah in the Qur’an, by Rasulullah Sallallahu Alaihi Wa Sallam in ahadith, and those names usually kept by righteous Muslims. 1 Accordingly, names not falling in the category above, as well as names that are kept in imitiation of non-Muslims, should be avoided.2

With regards to the name Jewel, it is derived from Latin meaning precious gem. Children were named Jewel in honor of the 16th century bishop Salisbury Saint Jewel. Prior to the 19th century, it was not used as a given name.3 Thus, it will not be appropriate to keep Jewel as a middle name.

And Allah Ta’āla Knows Best

Mirza-Zain Ibn Ameer Baig

Student - Darul Iftaa

Montréal, Québec, Canada

Checked and Approved by,

Mufti Ebrahim Desai.

13-01-1441| 13-09-2019