African Muslim Names: Images and Identities, provides an overview of African Muslim Names, illustrates their adaptation to African languages, and reveals the synthesis that comes about between the indigenous and the Islamic. Above all, this book discusses the meanings of African Muslim names and relates them to the contexts in which they appear.
A 'name' is simply a word, phrase or sentence by which a human being is known. By it, s/he is identified, called, described, distinguished and classified. Nothing on this earth - and much of the heavens - exists without a name. There are names for people, things, buildings and places, and also for storms and hurricanes. Man-made and natural phenomena alike are known through their names.
What's in a name? A name conveys history, culture, heritage, language and a consciousness of self-image and pride. An Islamic name may in certain contexts also signify an ideological, social and political stand. In short, our names convey our existences and our images of ourselves. Onomastics or the study of names invites many disciplines: history, geography, linguistics, literature, philosophy, anthropology, psychology, sociology, theology, even legal studies. It engages concern with character, personality, adoption, education, marriage, conversion, migration and death. In all, identity is the underlying feature and the principal one.
Personal names provide an important component of African cultural identities. They reach across ethnic, geographical and national boundaries and extend identity from the African continent to the Pan-African Diaspora. Names, like language itself, provided their bearers with a sense of oneness in spite of ethnic differences. They bestow social and economic openness and invite participation. The first thing an African wants to know when he or she meets you is your name.
A name is all too often taken for granted. For an African, names and naming operate significantly to maintain social links and in the development of a culture and an individual. To quote an Ilaje proverb:
Oruko mi ro nen, apeja mi ro nen
As the name, so is the bearer
Like the nickname, like the bearer's
Or as the Waswahili say:
Wewe na jina lako
You are your name
You are what your name has made you
Names symbolize social organization. They indicate ethnic and tribal affiliation, status, privilege, gender, religion and achievement within specific contexts. They transmit historical and cultural information. A name is essential in establishing connections with one's kin and with one's community and in weighing the essence of a person or thing. The one who names an object, a place or a person, often has control over the relevance of that person, place or thing. Adam was taught all the names so that he might have knowledge and power to use them. Every human being, male and female, is his own Adam entrusted in his knowledge and commanded with responsibility for the good of humanity and for all contemporary and future generations.
African Muslim names present a common cultural heritage extending from west to east and north to south crossing national and racial borders and at times even religious boundaries. First and foremost these names are based on the concept of a human being in relation to the Creator of all, whether he is referred to by the Arabic name of Allah and His numerous attributes, or by his Swahili equivalent, Mwenye-Enzi-Mngu (The Almighty), Mola (Master) or Dundari (the Supreme One). This concept is the foundation of the way of life and nomenclature of all African Muslims.
The coexistence of Islamic and traditional African beliefs has resulted in an African-Islamic culture that is prevalent not only among the Hausa-Fulani and Waswahili on the continent, but also beyond the continent in the Diaspora. In the course of acquiring Islamic-Arabic culture and becoming integrated into the worldwide Muslim community, Africans adopted Islamic Arabic names. The young are instructed in the religion by teaching them a moral way of life. This teaching and the knowledge derived from it arouses in them a consciousness of their relationship with their Creator and with the universe. Traditional folk stories and proverbs continues the task that names begin.
African names used by Muslims and non-Muslims also show how people identify with their culture and heritage. In addition a name identifies the family's desired image or personality for their child and is considered a dominant aspect in the development of his character and personality. A good name gives a good feeling, a bad name gives a bad feeling about oneself. A child who is called a king, Maalik/Maliik, or a Kariim, a generous one, may feel like one.
Newborns are named for many different reasons: they inherit a name of a relative to maintain family links; they capture or symbolize an idea to communicate a message or record an event; they may carry names to remind them of the qualities inspired by those who have chosen them. These qualities often draw on spiritual and human values: compassion (RaHiim and Rahema), justice ('Adil and 'Adila), generosity (Kariim and Kariima), gratefulness (AbdulHamiid and Hamiida), wisdom (A'qiil and A'qiila), faithfulness (Amiin and Amiina), truthfulness (Sadiiq and Sadiqa), patience (Sabuur and Sabuura), bravery (Abduljabbar and Jasira) and love (Habib and Habiba). All these masculine and feminine names have meanings, purposes and significance. They designate, describe and identify the individual. They contribute towards self-esteem and a concern for others. They often precede the bearer and outlast him. They are connected to a desired image. In the process of naming, people preserve and mould their moral values and their social history.
Muslims like to use the names of the twenty-five prophets mentioned in the Qur'aan. These are listed below along with their Biblical equivalents:
THE NAMES OF PROPHETS
MUSLIM BIBLICAL
Adam Adam
Al-Yas'a Elisha
Ayyub Job
Da'ud David
Dhulkifl Ezekiel
Harun Aaron
Huud
Ibrahim Abraham
Idriis Enoch
Ilyaas Elyas/Elias
'Isaa Jesus
IsHaaq Isaac
Ismaa'iil Ishmael/Samuel
Luut Lot
MuHammad Muhammad
Musa Moses
NuH Noah
SaleH
Shu'ayb Jethro
Sulaymaan Solomon
Yahya John
Ya'quub Jacob
Yunus Jonah
Yusuf Joseph
Zakariyya Zachariah/Zakariah
