The name Kareem comes from the root word Karam which has several meanings, the most prominent of which is generosity and giving.

The one who is Kareem is an honorable, generous and hospitable person.

The Prophet Muhammed (ﷺ) is described as Kareem referring not only to the honorable status of the prophet but also to his generosity and sacrifice. The Prophet (ﷺ) is the prime example of Karam. He gave his life to the servitude of humanity and spreading the message of Islam.

In the following verse the Prophet (ﷺ) is described as a Messenger that is Kareem – generous and honourable:

إِنَّهُ لَقَوْلُ رَسُولٍ كَرِيمٍ٤٠لحاقة

[That] indeed, it [i.e., the Quran] is the word of a noble Messenger. {69:40}

One of Allah’s beautiful names is Al-Kareem – the Most-Generous, the Most-High, the One Who gives abundantly, and His giving never stops.

Allah (SWT) questions human beings so that they may reflect on what has made them careless and oblivious about their Lord Al-Kareem – The Most Generous.

يَا أَيُّهَا الْإِنْسَانُ مَا غَرَّكَ بِرَبِّكَ الْكَرِيمِ

O mankind! What has made you careless concerning your Lord, the Most Generous? {82:6}

The Quran is also described as Kareem like in the following verse which emphasises the great benefits that the words of Allah contain in terms of guidance and healing of the heart.

إِنَّهُۥ لَقُرْءَانٌۭ كَرِيمٌۭ

Indeed, it is a noble Quran. {56:77}

The people of Jannah are described in the following verse as Mukramun which means that they are honoured and given so much from the Karam (generosity) of the most Kareem (generous) – Allah Al-Kareem – the Most Generous.

فَوَٰكِهُ ۖ وَهُم مُّكْرَمُونَ

Fruits and they will be honored {37:42}

Allah (SWT) has honoured us as human beings and descendants of Adam and blessed us with so much. The following verse uses the verb form of the word Karam which is Karamna meaning we have honored and been generous to’ the descendants of Adam (AS).

وَلَقَدْ كَرَّمْنَا بَنِىٓ ءَادَمَ وَحَمَلْنَـٰهُمْ فِى ٱلْبَرِّ وَٱلْبَحْرِ وَرَزَقْنَـٰهُم مِّنَ ٱلطَّيِّبَـٰتِ وَفَضَّلْنَـٰهُمْ عَلَىٰ كَثِيرٍۢ مِّمَّنْ خَلَقْنَا تَفْضِيلًۭا

And We have certainly honored the children of Adam and carried them on the land and sea and provided for them of the good things and preferred them over much of what We have created, with [definite] preference. {17:77}

Allah (SWT) is described as Al Akram in one of the very first verses revealed to the Prophet (SAW). The word Akram is a verb in the form Afa’ala and means to honor and elevate in status. And Allah (SWT) is Al-Akram as there is no one that can elevate your status and honor you more than Allah.

ٱقْرَأْ وَرَبُّكَ ٱلْأَكْرَمُ

Recite, and your Lord is the most Generous . {96:3}

Our prophet Muhammed (ﷺ) described the prophet Yusuf (Upon him be peace) as a Kareem the son of a Kareem, the son of a Kareem, the son of a Kareem! Yusuf is the son of Yaqoob who is the son of Ishaq who is the son of Ibrahim (Alayhimu Assalaam). That’s because Yusuf (Upon him be peace) was a highly honorable prophet who had knowledge, beauty, modesty, generosity, high manners, fairness and wisdom. All of these great qualities make a person truly deserve the title Kareem.

Variations in the Quran

Boys’names

Kareem

Karam

Akram

Mukrim

Mukram

Mukaram

Girls’ Names

Kareema

Mukrima

Mukrama

We pray that Allah Al-Kareem honors us and raises our status and gives us from His endless bounties. Aameen