Question:
I have named my son Shaheed. Did any of the Sahabah who lived during the time of the Prophetﷺ or the Caliphs have this name? Also, ‘Shaheed’ means one who sacrifices his life in the path of Allah. If that is the meaning, can we give this name to someone who is still alive? Would it be better to change the name to ‘Shaheed’?”
Answer:
When we say “Shaheed,” it does not mean only someone who sacrificed his life. That is not the only meaning. Shaheed has many meanings. Shaheed means a knowledgeable person. Shaheed means one who is truthful. Shaheed means one who speaks only what he has witnessed with his own eyes. Shaheed means a witness. In one of its meanings, it refers to someone who sacrificed his life. So, the word Shaheed is not restricted only to martyrs.
You can name someone Shaheed in the meaning of a scholar. There is no necessary connection between the name and the actual state of the person. You may name someone “Truthful,” but he may grow up to be a liar. You do not name him based on what he currently is. You name him hoping he will be truthful. That is the intention behind names.
If you say a name can only be given after someone sacrifices his life, then you would have to wait until after death to name him. How can a newborn sacrifice his life at birth? You are not naming him because he has already become a martyr. You may name him with the hope that if such a situation comes in the future, he will be willing to sacrifice his life. There is nothing wrong with that.
The name Shaheed is not prohibited in the religion. You may give any name. Even a name meaning martyr can be given. Why are you giving the name? If tomorrow a situation arises where he must sacrifice his life, may my son do so—that is one intention. Or you may intend the meaning “scholar.” Or you may intend the meaning “truthful.” Or “witness.” Shaheed has multiple meanings. You may choose any of those meanings. There is nothing wrong in that.
However, among the companions of the Messengerﷺ of Allah, as far as we have searched, none of them had the name Shaheed as their given name. We searched historical records and did not find any Companion whose original name was Shaheed. When someone became a martyr, they would say “Shaheed Ibrahim,” meaning Ibrahim became a martyr. That was a title given after martyrdom. It was not their birth name.
It is not necessary that because they did not use it, we must not use it. We must see whether there is a prohibition. As far as we know, no Companion had the name Shaheed as a given name. But you may give the name intending the meaning of martyrdom, or scholar, or truthful person, or witness. There is nothing wrong with that.