Assalamu alaikum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh.. A sister asks: how is it to name someone "Zamal"?
Naming a girl 'Zamal' is completely permissible and correct. The principle: the name's meaning should be good and pure, with no aspect of shirk, disbelief or evil — there is no prohibition in Zamal.
Wa alaikum assalam wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh.
Naming a girl 'Zamal' is completely permissible and correct. The principle: the name's meaning should be good and pure, with no aspect of shirk, disbelief or evil — there is no prohibition in Zamal.
Lexical meanings (root z-m-l): (1) To wrap / to cover — from this same root 'Muzzammil' is formed; the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said "Zammiluni, zammiluni" (Wrap me up, wrap me up) — the sense of covering, modesty and protection. (2) 'Zamil': a companion / fellow traveller / associate. (3) Travel provisions / supplies.
Sincere advice: (1) Beloved and blessed names are the names of the Mothers of the Believers, the Prophet's daughters and the female Companions (A'ishah, Fatimah, Khadijah, Zaynab, Maryam, Sumayyah, Asma', etc.). (2) The root of 'Zamal' is established from the Qur'an, but as a name its meaning is not well-known or explicit; names with a clear, beautiful meaning (Tayyibah, Salihah, Afifah, Hurayn) are better.
Summary: Keeping the name 'Zamal' is permissible in the Shariah; a name connected to a female Companion or one with a clear meaning will be a greater source of blessing.
Translated from the original Urdu fatwa.