Praise be to Allah, and may peace and blessings be upon the Messenger of Allah.
The basic principle according to Ahl as-Sunnah wa al-Jama'ah is that the Names of Allah are established by revelation. Allah may only be named with what He has named Himself in His Book or what His Messenger ﷺ named Him in the authentic Sunnah.
Likewise, the Names are affirmed without distortion or denial, and without asking how or likening them to creation.
Therefore, it is not sufficient for a word to contain a good meaning for it to be valid as a Name of Allah. There must be evidence from Islamic revelation establishing it.
The name “Al-Muhsin” is established for Allah تعالى in the authentic Sunnah. Therefore, it is permissible for a Muslim to be named “Abd al-Muhsin.”
Among the evidence establishing this Name is the report of Shaddad ibn Aws رضي الله عنه that the Prophet ﷺ said:
“Indeed, Allah is Al-Muhsin, so act with excellence. When you kill, kill well, and when you slaughter, let one of you sharpen his blade and spare his animal suffering.”
Narrated by Abd al-Razzaq and al-Tabarani; al-Albani authenticated it.
It is also reported from Samurah ibn Jundub رضي الله عنه that the Prophet ﷺ said:
“Indeed, Allah تعالى is Al-Muhsin, so act with excellence.”
Narrated by Ibn 'Adi; al-Albani authenticated it.
It is also reported from Anas ibn Malik رضي الله عنه that the Prophet ﷺ said:
“When you judge, be just; and when you kill, kill well, for Allah is Al-Muhsin and loves those who act excellently.”
Narrated by al-Tabarani; al-Albani graded it Hasan.
These texts establish the description Al-Muhsin for Allah تعالى, and a number of scholars have affirmed this as one of His Names.
A number of scholars have affirmed “Al-Muhsin” as one of the Names of Allah تعالى, including Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah and his student Ibn al-Qayyim, as well as contemporary scholars Shaykh Abd al-Aziz ibn Baz and Shaykh Muhammad ibn Salih al-Uthaymin, may Allah have mercy upon them.
Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah رحمه الله mentioned, while discussing some names by which people are named in the form of servitude to Allah:
“Abdullah, Abd al-Rahman, Abd al-Ghani, ... Al-Muhsin, Al-Ahad, Al-Wahid, Al-Qadir, Al-Karim...”
Ibn al-Qayyim رحمه الله said:
“The Name Al-Barr, Al-Muhsin, Al-Mu'ti, Al-Mannan, and similar Names entail their effects and implications.”
Shaykh Abd al-Aziz ibn Baz رحمه الله was asked about naming someone “Abd al-Muhsin” and said:
“As for Abd al-Muhsin, there is nothing wrong with it, because Al-Muhsin is one of the Names of Allah, Glorified and Exalted.”
Shaykh Ibn Uthaymin رحمه الله was asked about the Names Al-Hannan, Al-Mannan, and Al-Muhsin. He explained that Al-Hannan has not been established as one of the Names of Allah, whereas Al-Mannan and Al-Muhsin are among His Names. This is why people have traditionally used the names “Abd al-Muhsin” and “Abd al-Mannan,” and the scholars did not object to this.
Shaykh Abd al-Razzaq ibn Abd al-Muhsin al-Abbad also authored a dedicated treatise establishing that “Al-Muhsin is one of the Beautiful Names of Allah”, collecting the hadith evidence and statements of scholars on this matter.
Other scholars have likewise affirmed this Name.
Since the Name “Al-Muhsin” is established for Allah تعالى, it is permissible to name a Muslim:
Abd al-Muhsin.
This is one of the names in which the word “Abd” is attached to one of the Names of Allah. Its meaning is: the servant of Allah, Al-Muhsin, meaning the one who worships Allah تعالى.
The principle is that servitude in names belongs exclusively to Allah. Therefore, names such as “Abd al-Nabi,” “Abd al-Ka'bah,” or “Abd Ali” are not permissible, because servitude in this sense cannot be attributed to anyone besides Allah.
As for “Abd al-Muhsin,” it is permissible because “Al-Muhsin” is an established Name of Allah in the Sunnah.
“Al-Muhsin” is one of the Names of Allah تعالى, and this is established in the authentic Sunnah.
It is permissible to name a Muslim “Abd al-Muhsin.”
The Names of Allah are established by revelation, and none of them is affirmed without Islamic evidence.
The name “Abd al-Muhsin” is valid because “Al-Muhsin” is an established Name of Allah.
And Allah knows best.