Part 21 – Series on the Shamaa’il (the noble character and sublime conduct) of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam)

Chapter regarding the blessed names of Hazrat Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam)

Allah Ta‘ala had bestowed Hazrat Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) with many names and titles of honour and praise. In this chapter, Imaam Tirmizi (rahimahullah) has sufficed on mentioning only two Ahaadith which contain nine of the mubaarak names of Hazrat Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam). In certain Ahaadith, it is recorded that Hazrat Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) said, “Seven of my names are mentioned in the Qur’aan; Muhammad, Ahmad, Yaaseen, Taaha, Muzzammil, Muddathir, and Abdullah.”

Apart from this, Allaamah Suyuti (rahimahullah) has written a special treatise on the mubaarak names of Hazrat Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam), wherein he has enumerated approximately five hundred names. In his commentary on Tirmizi Shareef, Allaamah Ibnul ‘Arabi (rahimahullah) has documented one thousand names of Hazrat Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam).

However, it should be borne in mind that many of these mubaarak names of Hazrat Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) are in actual fact his mubaarak attributes which have been counted among his mubaarak names and titles.

All these names are not found in one hadith, but rather acquired from various verses of the Qur’aan Majeed and Mubaarak Ahaadith of Hazrat Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) which shed light on his noble conduct and sublime character. Among people, possessing many names and titles generally reflects the great honour and respect that one enjoys in the hearts of people. Hence, what can be said regarding that great personality of Hazrat Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) who has been afforded these great names and titles of honour and dignity, respect and praise by none other than the creator of the universe, Allah Ta‘ala!

عن محمد بن جبير بن مطعم عن أبيه قال: قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم: إن لي أسماء أنا محمد وأنا أحمد وأنا الماحي الذي يمحو الله بي الكفر وأنا الحاشر الذي يحشر الناس على قدمي وأنا العاقب والعاقب الذي ليس بعده نبي (الشمائل المحمدية للترمذي، الرقم: 367)

Hazrat Jubayr bin Mut’im (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) reports that Hazrat Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) mentioned, “I have many names, I am Muhammad, I am Ahmad, I am Maahi (the eliminator), the one through whom Allah Ta‘ala has eliminated kufr (from the land of Makkah Mukarramah and Madinah Tayyibah). I am Haashir (the gatherer), the one after whom the people (the entire ummah on the Day of Qiyaamah) will be raised from their graves and gathered after me. I am ‘Aaqib (the one who came last in the world, after all the Ambiyaa), and ‘Aaqib is the one after whom there shall be no other nabi.”