Naming conventions according to the Qur'an

[pk]

Salam dear members of MV,

Recently there has been discussions on social media spaces about the possible renaming of the country India to a term linked to the Hindutva political movement, namely "Bharat" by the ruling BJP led government. In turn, there were some voices from the Pakistani community welcoming this prospective change as it would free up to the name India for use by Pakistanis to refer to themselves, as the name is historically linked to the Indus River which is located in Pakistan.

It must be noted that the voices for changing Pakistans name to India come from the ultra secular and irreligious segment of social media .

My question is, Allah mentions in the Qur'an for believers to not self-aggrandize as being pure, instead to strive with real actions in self-purification.

“So do not boastfully claim yourselves to be purified. He fully knows those that are truly Godfearing.”(QS. An-Najm/The Star: 32).

Upon reading this verse, I can't help but to question if the decision to name an Islamic country with the label of purity, as in the case of Pakistan (Pak meaning pure in Urdu), can ever be appropriate? Realistically many would agree that Pakistan is far from the true representation of a modern, functional Islamic state but is even the name of the country un Islamic as well?

Keen to hear your views on both the naming question as well as verse 32 specifically, thank you and best regards .

[Ruhi_Rose]

Walaykum As-Salaam pk.     As of now I really don’t know of any Pakistanis calling themselves “Indians” based on the geographical aspect.  That may have been so back in the 1950s or 60s, but no more, unless you are referring to the very lukewarm Pakistanis with fantasies of labeling themselves as “Indians.”   Unless I have not understood you correctly .. in that case feel free to explain further.

Whether or not Indians change the name of their country is insignificant to us. 

Yes I’m aware of the Verse you quoted from the Noble Quran, Alhumdulilah.   As for the name “Pakistan,” it’s the intention that counts too.  The purpose of naming the land ‘Pakistan’ is not meant to literally assert that everyone living there is “pure.”  The definition of the term ‘Pakistan’ while naming the country was based on feelings of love for the land and patriotism .. and perchance it might be an incentive for some to follow the right path.  Analogically it’s much the same as, for instance, people being named ‘Abdullah’ or ‘Tahira.’  Abdullah means the slave of Allah (a very proud title for a believer Mash’Allah) and Tahira means pure.  Yet many people with these names are not obedient to Allah nor do they ethically purify themselves.  But they were simply given these names by their parents, elders or in accordance with ancestral lineage as a gesture of adherence to righteousness.  If people or countries with positive names display negative values, the ones responsible for the inappropriate actions will be answerable to Allah Almighty on the Day of Decision.  Whoever suggested those positive names viewing them as Halal in terms of vocabulary and with good intent are not at fault.  This is my humble opinion.  And only Allah knows best.

[pk]

Dear Sr. Ruhi, jazakallahukhayran for your reply.

Masha Allah it was truly a well-reasoned and wise response, and I am in complete agreement. It is clear to me now that Pakistan represents a higher ideal than petty man-made ideologies and empty material obsessions. Pakistan represents a collective effort by each and every of its inhabitants to earnestly gain the favors and blessings of Allah upon the nation.

May Pakistan find everlasting success promised by Allah to every faithful believer and guard itself completely from the evils of ignorance and disbelief, ameen

[Ruhi_Rose]

Ameen ya Allah.