78/108. Chapter:
Sahih Bukhari 6191 — Naming a Newborn
To change a name for better name
Hadith About Naming a Newborn in Islam
Sahih Bukhari : 6191
Sahih BukhariHadith Number 6191
حَدَّثَنَا سَعِيدُ بْنُ أَبِي مَرْيَمَ، حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو غَسَّانَ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنِي أَبُو حَازِمٍ، عَنْ سَهْلٍ، قَالَ أُتِيَ بِالْمُنْذِرِ بْنِ أَبِي أُسَيْدٍ إِلَى النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم حِينَ وُلِدَ، فَوَضَعَهُ عَلَى فَخِذِهِ وَأَبُو أُسَيْدٍ جَالِسٌ، فَلَهَا النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم بِشَىْءٍ بَيْنَ يَدَيْهِ، فَأَمَرَ أَبُو أُسَيْدٍ بِابْنِهِ فَاحْتُمِلَ مِنْ فَخِذِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم فَاسْتَفَاقَ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم فَقَالَ " أَيْنَ الصَّبِيُّ ". فَقَالَ أَبُو أُسَيْدٍ قَلَبْنَاهُ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ. قَالَ " مَا اسْمُهُ ". قَالَ فُلاَنٌ. قَالَ " وَلَكِنْ أَسْمِهِ الْمُنْذِرَ ". فَسَمَّاهُ يَوْمَئِذٍ الْمُنْذِرَ.
Sahl Narrated from:
When Al-Mundhir bin Abu Usaid was born, he was brought to the Prophet (ﷺ) who placed him on his thigh. While Abu Usaid was sitting there, the Prophet (ﷺ) was busy with something in his hands so Abu Usaid told someone to take his son from the thigh of the Prophet (ﷺ). When the Prophet (ﷺ) finished his job (with which he was busy), he said, "Where is the boy?" Abu Usaid replied, "We have sent him home." The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "What is his name?" Abu Usaid said, "(His name is) so-and-so. " The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "No, his name is Al-Mundhir." So he called him Al-Mundhir from that day.
Reference : Sahih al-Bukhari 6191In-book reference : Book 78, Hadith 215USC-MSA web (English) reference : Vol. 8, Book 73, Hadith 211
Summary of Sahih Bukhari Hadith 6191
This Hadith shows the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم giving attention to a newborn child and his name. Al-Mundhir bin Abu Usaid was brought to the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم when he was born. The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم placed him on his thigh, and after the child was taken home, he asked where the boy was. He then asked about the child’s name. When Abu Usaid mentioned the name, the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم gave him the name Al-Mundhir, and that became his name from that day. This Hadith about naming a newborn shows that names mattered in the Prophet’s practice. It also shows kindness toward children, personal care, and the value of choosing a good name early in life.
What we learn from this hadith
- Newborn children were brought to the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم for care and blessing.
- The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم showed personal concern for the child even after he was taken away.
- Choosing a name for a child is treated as meaningful.
- A child’s name can be changed when a better name is chosen.
