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Meaning of ‘Aa'ishah and Faatimah

Question

What do the names Fatimah and ‘Aa'ishah mean?

Answer

All perfect praise be to Allah, The Lord of the worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allah and that Muhammad  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allaah exalt his mention ) is His slave and Messenger.

The name ‘Aa’ishah is derived from the Arabic word ‘aysh (عيش), which means living/life. This name could be given to both women and men.

The Arabic lexicon Al-Qaamoos Al-Muheet reads, “‘Aysh (n): life; ‘aasha (v): lived; ‘aayish (adj): living a good life. ‘Aa’ishah: proper name for both men and women.

Also, the name Faatimah is derived from the word fatm (فطم), which means: weaning and cutting. The reference book Tahtheeb Al-Lughah reads, “The original meaning of fatm is to cut. When a baby is weaned, it is cut, i.e. separated from its mother's breast and from breastfeeding. A woman is called Faatimah, Fitaam and Fateemah.

Allah knows best.

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