وَإِنِّي سَمَّيْتُهَا مَرْيَمَ وَإِنِّي أُعِيذُهَا بِكَ وَذُرِّيَّتَهَا مِنَ الشَّيْطَانِ الرَّجِيمِ

“(The mother of Maryam [‘alaihas salaam] said) I have named her Maryam and I place her and her progeny under Your shelter against Shaitaan, the rejected.” (Surah Aal-‘Imraan v36)

Hanna, the mother of Maryam (‘alaihas salaam), sought the protection of Allah Ta‘ala from Shaitaan for her daughter and her progeny. We too should turn to Allah Ta‘ala and make du‘aa for the protection of our children. We should place our trust in Allah Ta‘ala and not in the material means that surround us. To lose all hope of our children reforming and changing their lives is a clear indication that we have forgotten our Allah Ta‘ala, the Being Who can guide whoever He wishes.

She chose the name “Maryam” which means a worshipper. We too should keep names with good meanings for our children. The object is not to keep a unique or rare name; rather we should keep a name that has a pious effect on the child.