By Mutalib Jibril
A kunya is a title that begins with “Abu” (father of) or “umm” (mother of ) which is used to honor and praise an individual. Unlike nicknames, a kunya serves as a respectful designation, avoiding the derogatory connotations that nicknames can carry sometimes.
A kunyah fulfils the same function as a name which is to identify someone. Consequently, the scholars of Hadith did not only author books about the names of the Hadith narrators, but they also authored books about their kuná. Al-Asāmī Wa-al-Kuná—Names and Kuná—by Imām al-Hākim (d. 378 AH) (رحمه الله) is one such book. This is because some narrators were either only mentioned by their kuná, or they are recognized easier by their kuná rather than their names, such as Al-Faḍl ibn Dakīn (d. 218 AH) (رحمه الله), one of Imām al-Bukhārī’s (رحمه الله) teachers. Imām al-Bukhārī (رحمه الله) seldom used his name when narrating from him; rather, Imām al-Bukhārī (رحمه الله) frequently used his kunyah, Abū Nuʿaym. Imām al-Bukhārī (رحمه الله) would frequently say: “Abū Nuʿaym reported to me that so and so reported to him…”
Kunyah is not limited to those who have children alone. It can be given to anybody.The plural of kunyah is kuná. Utilizing kunyah is an established Islamic tradition, for many of the Prophet’s (صلى الله عليه وسلم) wives—for example—had a kunyah. ʿĀʾishah (رضي الله عنها) said: “You gave all your wives a kunyah except me. He said: ‘You are Umm ʿAbdillāh.’ Numerous Companions were only known by their kuná, like Abū Ayyūb al-Anṣārī and Abū Mūsá al-Ashʿarī (رضي الله عنهما). Abū Ayyūb al-Anṣārī’s name was Khālid ibn Zayd, and Abū Mūsá al-Ashʿarī’s name was ʿAbdullāh ibn Qays.
Many Muslims have however neglected to adopt kunya and therefore replaced it with derogatory names. They adopt the names of footballers, musicians, drug addicts, and the like. This transcends to their lifestyles in general— people have normalized making bad hairstyles which Allāh has forbidden, they put on crazy jeans and so on. All these are a result of trying to fit into the lifestyles of people other than the prophet.
As a Muslim, it is pertinent to adopt the lifestyle of the prophet and his companions. Among which adopting kunya is a part. May Allāh rectify our affairs. Aameen.