Nicknames

Q:

1. There are names of Allah when we keep we are not required to add Abd before them. Eg, Haleem. Which names of Allah should we be adding Abd to?
2. Can we call people by nicknames? For eg, someone's called Hanzalah. Can we call them hanzu hanzli etc? What's the ruling regarding it.

A:

1. If the name is with abd, then you need to call the person with the word abd. In the case where his name is without the word abd, for example, Shaakir then it is permissible to call him with that name.
2. In the Arabic language there are special rules for abbreviating. When an Arabic name is used the abbreviation should also conform with the Arabic rules.

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Answered by:

Mufti Ebrahim Salejee (Isipingo Beach)