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Fatwa CenterMeanings of the names Mustafaa, Ayman and Ismaaeel
Question
i would like to know the meaning of names, Mustafa, Ismail and Ayman. Thank you
Answer
All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger. We ask Allaah to exalt his mention as well as that of his family and all his companions.
The word Ayman in Arabic language is derived from the word Al-Yumn, which means blessing, the plural of which is Ayaamin. The word Ayman [i.e. situated on the right side] is also the opposite of the word Aysar (i.e. situated on the left).
Some companions 
had this name, like Ayman Ibn 'Ubayd, who was the brother of Usaamah Ibn Zayd, from his mother's side; their mother was Um Ayman, a slave woman of the father of the Prophet 
and he inherited her from his father and he freed her when he married Khadeejah 
.
As regards Mustafaa, it means the chosen and the selected one above all other people. Istifaa' means being chosen, and it is derived from Safwah (the chosen ones) among whom was the Prophet as he was the chosen person among all mankind, he was also among the chosen to be the best of all Prophets, may Allaah exalt their mention. It is confirmed that the Prophet said: ''I am the chosen and the best Prophet." [Ahmad]
With regard to Ismaa'eel, it does not have any meaning in the Arabic language, as, in principle, it is not an Arabic name. However, Ibn Manthoor 
said: "Ismaa'eel and Isma'een are two names."
Allaah Knows best.
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