Is “Izma” a Sound Name for a Muslim Girl?

Answered by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani

Question

Is “Izma” (ازمہ) a sound Islamic name for a girl? What is its proper Arabic spelling, and does the meaning matter?

Answer

In the Name of Allah, the Merciful and Compassionate.

May Allah bless you and reward you for the care you are taking over your daughter’s name.

The name is sound when it carries a noble meaning, and its proper Arabic spelling depends on what you intend. The meaning matters greatly.

The Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) said, “You will be called on the Day of Resurrection by your names and the names of your fathers, so make your names good.” [Abu Dawud]

The Prophet himself renamed those whose names carried unfit meanings [Muslim]. The commentators explain that “good names” means names of beautiful meaning, and especially the names of the righteous. A person’s name accompanies them in this life and the next, so parents should choose names with dignified meanings.

The meaning of the name in question depends on its Arabic root.

If you intend “greatest” or “most exalted,” the correct Arabic is Uzma (عُظْمَى), the feminine of A‘zam, used in Quranic phrases such as “al-ni‘matu al-‘uzma.”

If you intend “greatness,” the correct Arabic is Azama (عَظَمَة), pronounced “Azmat” in Urdu. This is a noble word used in the Quran for the greatness of Allah.

If you intend “protection” or “purity,” the correct Arabic is Isma (عِصْمَة), pronounced Ismat in Urdu. This too is a noble word used in the Quran and in the science of theology.

The Urdu Phonetic Spelling and Its Concern

The Urdu phonetic spelling ازمہ, however, traces back to Arabic azma (أزمة), meaning “crisis” or “hardship.” For this reason, scholars in South Asia generally advise choosing the classical Arabic spelling, Uzma (عُظْمَى), Azmat (عَظَمَة), or Ismat (عِصْمَة), rather than ازمہ.

Choosing a Good Name

There is nothing wrong with names of sound meaning in any language, Arabic or otherwise. The best choices, however, remain the names of the Prophets, the Companions, and the righteous.

For a daughter, beautiful examples include Maryam, Asiya, Khadija, Aisha, Fatima, Hafsa, Zaynab, and Sumayya (Allah be pleased with them). Settle on the meaning you intend, write the name in its correct Arabic form, and let that good meaning accompany your daughter, by Allah’s grace, for her whole life.

And Allah knows best.

[Shaykh] Faraz Rabbani

Related Answers

• Can You Give Me Guidance on These Baby Girl Names? — A practical answer on the meanings and Arabic spellings of several Muslim girl names, including guidance on which are well-established and which require care.
• Is It Acceptable to Choose a Name That Is Not Arabic and Is Not from the Quran? — A clear ruling that the most important consideration when choosing a name is its meaning, and that Islam does not require names to be Arabic or Quranic.
• Is It Permissible to Name One’s Daughter Barakah? — An explanation of names whose positive meanings may create unintended awkwardness, with guidance on the Prophetic principle behind choosing names carefully.
• Is It Permissible to Name a Girl Jibril or Mika’il? — A concise ruling confirming that naming a girl after an angel is permissible, with a reference to the broader discussion on angelic names for children.

Shaykh Faraz Rabbani is a recognized specialist scholar in the Islamic sciences, having studied under leading scholars from around the world. He is the Founder and Executive Director of SeekersGuidance.

Shaykh Faraz stands as a distinguished figure in Islamic scholarship. His journey in seeking knowledge is marked by dedication and depth. He spent ten years studying under some of the most revered scholars of our times. His initial studies took place in Damascus. He then continued in Amman, Jordan.

In Damascus, he was privileged to learn from the late Shaykh Adib al-Kallas. Shaykh Adib al-Kallas was renowned as the foremost theologian of his time. Shaykh Faraz also studied under Shaykh Hassan al-Hindi in Damascus. Shaykh Hassan is recognized as one of the leading Hanafi jurists of our era.

Upon completing his studies, Shaykh Faraz returned to Canada in 2007. His return marked a new chapter in his service to the community. He founded SeekersGuidance. The organization reflects his commitment to spreading Islamic knowledge. It aims to be reliable, relevant, inspiring, and accessible. This mission addresses both online and on-the-ground needs.

Shaykh Faraz is also an accomplished author. His notable work includes “Absolute Essentials of Islam: Faith, Prayer, and the Path of Salvation According to the Hanafi School,” which was published by White Thread Press in 2004 and is a significant contribution to Islamic literature.

His influence extends beyond his immediate community. Since 2011, Shaykh Faraz has been recognized as one of the 500 most influential Muslims. This recognition comes from the Royal Islamic Strategic Studies Center. It underscores his impact on the global Islamic discourse.

Shaykh Faraz Rabbani’s life and work embody a profound commitment to Islamic scholarship. His teachings continue to enlighten and guide seekers of knowledge worldwide.