The Kunya of Imam al-Bukhari: Understanding Abu Abdullah

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By: Dr. Mohammad Akram Nadwi
Oxford

A question was sent to me by a budding researcher, Abu Sufyan al-Nadwi (may Allah increase him in knowledge):
“Peace be upon you and the mercy of Allah and His blessings. I searched for the reason behind Imam al-Bukhari’s kunya ‘Abu Abdullah’ but couldn’t find it. Could you please explain why Imam al-Bukhari used the kunya ‘Abu Abdullah’ even though historians and biographers did not explicitly mention that he had a son named Abdullah?”

I replied: The origin of kunya titles among Arabs is primarily a means of respect, especially in conversation, where a man is addressed as “Abu so-and-so” and a woman as “Umm so-and-so.” An example in Arabic literature from Diwan al-Hamasah, attributed to a poet from the Fazari tribe, reflects this tradition:
“I address him with a kunya when I call him, to honor him,
And I do not give him a mere nickname, for that would be disgraceful.”
And in the words of the poet:
“This became my custom, so deeply embedded,
For I found good character to be the essence of dignity.”

Abd al-Qadir al-Baghdadi said in Khizanat al-Adab (9/142): “His saying, ‘I address him with a kunya when I call him’ – Arabs, when they want to show respect to someone, address them by their kunya and avoid using their name directly. The poet describes himself as being refined in how he treats his companion.”

This form of respect may stem from age, knowledge, or other factors. For example, Ahmad ibn Hanbal used to address Yahya ibn Ma’in by a kunya, and scholars and men of literature have long followed this custom.

People often choose their kunya based on their eldest son, as Arabs typically prioritize sons over daughters when selecting a kunya. Yet, some are known by their daughters’ names, such as Tamim ibn Aws al-Dari, who was known as Abu Ruqayyah, As’ad ibn Zurarah, known as Abu Umamah, and Masruq ibn al-Ajda’, known as Abu A’ishah.

Moreover, some Arabs took on a kunya even without having children. For instance, the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) gave A’ishah the kunya ‘Umm Abdullah’ despite her not having a son named Abdullah. Muslim recorded in his Sahih that Anas (may Allah be pleased with him) said, “The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) had the best character. I had a younger brother who was nicknamed Abu Umayr, who was weaned, and whenever the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) would see him, he would say, ‘O Abu Umayr, what happened to the nughayr (a small bird like a sparrow)?’”

There is also some debate about whether certain scholars were actually known by their sons or other associations. For example, regarding Imam Abu Hanifa (may Allah have mercy on him), some say that he had a daughter named Hanifa who died young, and he took his kunya after her. Others argue that his kunya has no literal meaning in this context.

Similarly, there is debate surrounding Imam al-Bukhari’s kunya, ‘Abu Abdullah’. Some people argue that it is not literal, with some even claiming that al-Bukhari never married. In Idhaat al-Badrayn (p. 3), al-‘Ajluni stated, “I have not found any evidence that al-Bukhari married, let alone had a son.”

In my view, however, he did marry and had children. Imam al-Dhahabi reported in Siyar A’lam al-Nubala (12/451) an account by Muhammad ibn Abi Hatim, in which al-Bukhari said, “I have wives and servants, while you are unmarried.” Furthermore, there are accounts of al-Bukhari having a son named Ahmad. For example, Siyar A’lam al-Nubala (12/447) mentions that Bakr ibn Munir reported, “Goods were sent to al-Bukhari, dispatched to him by his son Ahmad, and some merchants gathered with him.” During my visits to Bukhara and elsewhere, I encountered people who claimed lineage from him, but I could not confirm this claim. Sometimes, a name becomes attached to an eminent figure for the sake of honor. For instance, Shibli al-Nu’mani associated himself with Abu Hanifa out of loyalty and respect.

In all likelihood, I believe al-Bukhari may have had a son named Abdullah, and he took his kunya from him. Abdullah may have died young, or he lived but was not widely known. I say “in all likelihood” because this is the usual practice with kunyas, and using a kunya without a son is quite rare.

This is my conclusion, and Allah knows best.