Some reflections on Mohammad, Muhammad and Md

Does anyone know why many male Muslim Bangladeshis start their names with Mohammad or Muhammad or Md? It is commonplace in Bangladesh, perhaps less so in India and Pakistan, and even less in other Muslim countries. While it is worth researching how this practice came to be a trend in the first place (this writer would appreciate any clue), this piece is limited to some reflections concerning such common usage in our country. The pervasive use of the Prophet's name at the beginning of a Muslim name demands explanation, but it is more so about the use of Md. as an abbreviation of Muhammad, which is really perplexing.

Does the holder of the name, or more appropriately his father, consider the first name Muhammad as an integral part of the name? It does not seem so. It stands to logic that a father would like to make a distinction between the names of his sons. How can he do that if each son's name is Muhammad? Perhaps in his inner mind the father does not consider it as an integral part of the name, it is put to add some honour to the name. However, the owner of the name is stuck with it for his life. And he always gives it while pronouncing or writing his name.

This usage was innocuous when people lived in the confines of their own surroundings, where a boy was habitually called by his nickname and a man as the father of his son. But at an age when Bangladeshis are found in remote corners of the world, this common use of Mohammad/Muhammad at the beginning of names may lend to some risks and much confusion. In some countries, particularly in the US, a Muslim is often subjected to a rigorous questioning, particularly in the borders. A name Mohammad/Muhammad invites instant attention and unwanted aggravation, without which the person could perhaps pass with little trouble.

So many people, all with the same first names, are also difficult to be identified individually. Moreover, in the western world a person is normally known by his first and last names. Brothers with Mohammad/Muhammad as the first name and the same last name can create utter confusion. There are three Bangladeshi brothers who live close by in Canada, all with Mohammad as their first name and Huq as the last name. This caused a lot of quandary for their foreign wives in sorting out their respective husbands. A solution was worked out by designating the husbands as Mo1, Mo2, and Mo3.

While writing Mohammad or Muhammad is a matter of preferred spelling, the use of Md. as the abbreviation of Muhammad is completely a different matter. It may raise some basic questions. First, why the abbreviation? Is it because Md. is not considered a name but an honorific title? The Englishman introduced Mr. representing Mister and Dr. representing Doctor in our region centuries ago. That might have induced Muslims at that time to abbreviate Muhammad to Md., which after all was considered an honorific title. However, a person does not call himself Mr. or write Mr. at the beginning if his name. On the other hand, a Muslim having Md. abbreviation of Muhammad at the beginning of his name, always give it or write it as a part of his full name. This clearly indicates that the holder of the name Md. considers it as a part of his name, not an honorific title. If it is really a name, there is no explanation for writing Md. in place of Muhammad.

An example may be cited how absurd the use of Md. can be. A relative of this writer stayed with him when visiting New York some years ago. This relative gave his name as Md. Nurul Alam while opening a bank account in New York. The bank could not make any head or tail of the word Md., but soon account statements started coming to the writer's address bearing the name Dr. Nurul Alam MD. Our Finance Minister is wiser; he writes his name as M. Saifur Rahman.

There is evidence that Md. is considered something honorific. It happened to this writer many a time that, when he gave his name to some service provider, say a film studio while depositing a spool of film to be printed, the provider put an unsolicited Md. before the name. A protest often produced a vacant look or a look of scorn from the provider, implying that the writer was not a quality Muslim.

The name Muhammad is Arabic, as the Prophet of Islam was an Arab. But the Arabs apparently do not approve of the use of Md. for Muhammad. An instance can be cited as evidence. A prominent Bangladeshi Muslim, chairman of an Islamic institution, applied for a Saudi visa. Though the chairman knew the Saudi Ambassador well, an unsuspected official of the consulate rejected the visa application objecting to the use of Md. at the beginning of the name. The visa was eventually granted. This may be an isolated incident since Bangladeshis with Md. as first name have been getting Saudi visas for quite some time. However, this rare evidence demonstrates that Arabs do not take kindly to the use of Md. for Muhammad. This practice might be considered degrading, since Muhammad is the respected Prophet of the Muslims.

The long and prolonged use of Md. in place of Muhammad has made it an established fact. These reflections are to shake things up and invite further reflection.

Dr. R. H. Khandker is an elderly economist, returned home after a long stay abroad.

He may be contacted at: [email protected]