Changing the name from `Abdul Rasul to `Abd Rabb Al-Rasul

Q: While I was in a training session at a Pakistani institute, I found that one of the students was called `Abdul-Rasul (i.e. servant of the Messenger, peace be upon him). I used to read it as `Abd Rabb Al-Rasul (i.e. servant of the Lord of the Messenger). Someone asked me: Is it wrong to call someone `Abdul-Rasul? I replied that this constitutes an act of Shirk (associating others with Allah in His Divinity or worship) and that all acts of worship should be directed to Allah Alone. Referring to the Qur'anic Ayah (verse) which reads: Say: “O ‘Ibâdî (My slaves) who have transgressed against themselves (by committing evil deeds and sins)! Despair not of the Mercy of Allâh the questioner commented that Allah orders Muhammad to address Muslims saying, "O ‘Ibadi (My servants)''. So, (Part No. 11; Page No. 480) how can this question be answered?

A: First: You were right when you changed the student's name to Abd Rabb Al-Rasul as one of the many objectives of Shari`ah (Islamic Law) is to safeguard the concept of Tawhid (belief in the Oneness of Allah/ monotheism) against misuse and to direct all mankind towards worshipping and serving Allah Alone, the very purpose for which they were created. Allah (Exalted be He) says: There is none in the heavens and the earth but comes unto the Most Gracious (Allâh) as a slave. Scholars have unanimously agreed on the prohibition of names which indicate servitude to anyone other than Allah. We will send you a copy of the book entitled Fath Al-Majid which will help you refer to this subject in the section about the explanation of the Qur'anic Ayah which reads: But when He gave them (the polytheist and his wife) a Sâlih (good in every aspect) child and the other Qur'anic Ayah which provides: Then do not set up rivals unto Allâh (in worship) Second: As for the noble Qur'anic Ayah mentioned in the question, all exegetes of the Qur'an unanimously agree that it is interpreted in the sense that Allah orders the Messenger (peace be upon him) to convey to mankind Allah's statement: Say: “O ‘Ibâdî (My slaves) who have transgressed against themselves (by committing evil deeds and sins)! Despair not of the Mercy of Allâh All other similar Ayahs (i.E Ayahs starting with the word "Say") are interpreted and understood in the same context. (Part No. 11; Page No. 481) May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.