Title: Calling People by God's Attributive Names Question: Is it shirk to call people by the names of Allah (SWT), e.g. some people might call a person named Abdul Ghafoor , just Ghafoor . Usman Khokhar Pakistan Answer: This cannot and should not be considered as Shirk . Shirk refers to ascribing partners to God. How, after all, can calling someone by the name Ghafoor , or Raheem be considered as Shirk , unless only where the caller actually intends and holds the person to be 'equal' to God. It should further be kept in mind that God's name (attributive) is not " Ghafoor" , on the contrary, it is 'Al-Ghafoor' . There is a significant difference between the two words. Barring a few of the attributive names of God, which relate to qualities, which are exclusively his own, most of the attributive names of God, are, in fact, such of God's attributes, which we - humans - possess, even if it is at a very small scale, as compared to the Almighty. In all such cases, Shirk would only emanate from believing that someone other than God has these attributes at the same level as God. For instance, it is indeed wrong to consider someone as merciful or as knowledgeable or as powerful or as wise, as the Almighty. However, there is nothing wrong in considering someone merciful, knowledgeable or powerful or wise. Thus, calling someone 'Ghafoor' is not wrong, even if the word is taken in its literal meaning - i.e. forgiving. Nevertheless, to call someone 'Al-Ghafoor' - which is God's attribute is wrong. However, it would still not be considered as Shirk , unless the person the caller holds the addressee to be as forgiving - i.e. Ghafoor - as the Almighty. I hope this helps. Regards, Moiz Amjad September 11, 2001