Saturday, December 15, 2012

Calling a Child by a Kunya (Abu/Umm So & So) Gives Them a Sense of Responsibility

Calling a young boy "Abu Fulaan" ("Father of so-and-so") or a young girl "Umm Fulaan" ("Mother of so-and-so") will make the child feel more responsible and grown up, so he will become more mature and will feel above normal childishness. The Prophet (صلى الله عليه و سلم) used to give kunyas to children. Anas (may Allaah be pleased with him) said:
"The Prophet (
صلى الله عليه و سلم) was the best of people in attitude and manners. I had a brother whom people used to call Abu ‘Umayr. I think he was just past the age of weaning, and whenever he came along the Prophet would say to him, ‘O Abu ‘Umayr, what did the nughayr do (Ya Abaa ‘Umayr ma fa’ala al-nuhgayr)?’" (The nughayr was a small bird with which he used to play). 

(Reported by al-Bukhaari, 5735).

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