Adab al-Mufrad

Benefits and Issues:
➊ Apart from a name and a title, a designated name that begins with "Abu," "Umm," or "Ibn" is called a kunyah, such as Abu Hafs, Ibn Rushd, etc. Among the Arabs, it was common practice to have a kunyah; even childless people would adopt a kunyah based on the names of their nephews or nieces.

➋ When one intends to show respect to someone, he is addressed by his kunyah instead of his name or title. In the previous narration, it was mentioned that parents should not be called by their names, so a question could arise that a kunyah is also a kind of name, and there is evidence from the best generations (khayr al-quroon) of addressing with a kunyah. Imam Bukhari rahimahullah has established that although a kunyah is a type of name, there is no objection to addressing parents with it. Sayyiduna Umar radi Allahu anhu, while clarifying a certain issue, said: "Abu Hafs radi Allahu anhu made such and such a decision."

➌ The point is that there is no harm in using those titles in society that are used for honor and respect. However, it is among the duties of Muslims to promote Islamic social customs and to abandon the customs of the disbelievers and polytheists.