Do I have to change my name?

Asked by Reader on Dec 17, 2025 Topic: Other

Dear Hadi,

My name is Ashab-ur-Rahman, a name given to me by my parents. Recently, I discovered that the word “Ashab” can mean “people” or “companions,” which makes the full name appear to translate as “companions of the Most Merciful.” This raised a concern for me, as Allah, the Almighty, has no need for companions. However, I have also come across sources suggesting that the name may instead mean “servants” or “followers of the Most Merciful.” Therefore, I would like to know the accurate meaning of my name. If the meaning is incorrect or inappropriate, am I required to change my name?

Dear Reader,

Relatively speaking, we believe your question is straightforward, and God knows best. You do not have to change your name.

The word ashab appears over 70 times in the Quran. It almost always means “the people of,” with the meaning of “the people belonging to.”

It is commonly used as in Surat Al-Araf 7:44

“And the dwellers of the Garden cry unto the dwellers of the Fire: We have found that which our Lord promised us (to be) the Truth.”

This verse is talking about the people of heaven, referring to them as ashab al-janna, and the people of hell, referring to them as ashab al-nar. 

This happens numerous times in the Quran.

Also, and Surat Al-Fil (The Elephant), the people of the elephant are referred to us ashab al-fil.

In Surat al-A’raf (The Heights), the people of the heights are referred to as ashab al-a’raf. (Quran 7:48).

The people of Madian are known as ashab Madian (Quran 9:70).  Also, the people of Al-Hijr (the rocky tract) are referred to in the Quran as ashab al-hijr (Quran 15:80).

As another example, the youth, who are the subject of the story told in surat al Kahf (the Cave) are referred to as ashab al-kahf (Quran 18:9).

Therefore, you can comfortably consider that your name means that you are one of the people of al-Rahman, meaning belonging to al-Rahman, or affiliating with the other believers who consider themselves people of al-Rahman.

So, yes, while the word ashab can mean friends or companions, you see that it is not usually used this way in the Quran

However, even if you consider the meaning to be “friends of Al-Rahman,” we believe that there is no problem.  It does not take anything away from the majesty of Allah SWT, but elevates those who are thus described.  We see this clearly in Surat Yunus verse 62, which talks about awliya’u Allah, which literally means friends of Allah:

Behold! verily on the friends of Allah there is no fear, nor shall they grieve.  (Quran 10:62).

The only time you should worry is if you were named something like Abdul-Uzza, which means the slave of Al-Uzza, one of the Arabian goddesses.  This would be blasphemous, since it constitutes associating partners with Allah SWT.  This, by the way, was the actual name of Abu Lahab, the Prophet’s uncle and the arch enemy of Islam.

Hopefully, this makes you comfortable.

In peace.

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