Calling somebody whose name is Muhammad by “Mo”

7-4-2008 | IslamWeb

Question:

Dear Shaikh Asalam-u-Alaikum One of my brother in Islam has name Mohammad but he only pronounce Mo and people call him only by Mo Many of the people Muslims, Non Muslims working with him doesn't know that his real name is Mohammad Every one call him with Mo Only What does sharia say about this? Is it ok for my Brother to change his name from Mohammad to Mo and for others to pronounce only Mo Asalam-u-Alaikum

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Answer:

All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, is His slave and Messenger.

 

In principle, it is permissible to call someone while omitting few letters from his name if this does not sadden him and if this is not said as a way of dispraising him. The Prophet called Abu Hurayrah: “O Abu Hir”, and he told ‘Uthmaan: “Write down, O ‘Uthm”, and told ‘Aa’ishah: ‘Aa’ish”.

However, the name which is mentioned in the question should not be pronounced in that manner because it is in principle the name of the Prophet and it has some virtues which other names do not have. Uttering this name in the manner which is mentioned in the question sounds like the mewing of cats; therefore, one should not pronounce it in the manner which is stated in the question.    

Allaah Knows best.