Bukhari

Hadith Commentary:

You gave this child the kunyah (patronymic) Abu Umayr, meaning "father of Umayr," even though he himself was a child and did not have a son named Umayr. In this way, giving a child a kunyah from an early age was a custom among the Arabs.

This child used to play with a bird called nughayr, which is why you said this in jest.

Sallallahu alayhi a thousand times, by the number of every particle. Ameen, O Lord of the worlds. (Raaz)

Hadith Commentary:
(1)
Abu Umair radi Allahu anhu was the maternal brother of Anas radi Allahu anhu. The Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam used to address him with the kunyah (patronymic) of Abu Umair. Its meaning is: "father of Umair," even though he himself was still a child and had no son named Umair. From this, it is established that it is permissible for a child to have a kunyah.

(2)
When it is permissible for a small child to have a kunyah, then it is even more permissible for a person to be given a kunyah before having children. Among the Arabs, it was a common custom to give children and even people without children a kunyah. The kunyah for children would be given as a good omen, with the hope that the child would grow up and have offspring. In any case, it is permissible for children and for people before having children to be given a kunyah. Thus, Hilal says that Urwah ibn Zubayr gave me a kunyah, even though I did not have any children. (: Sahih al-Bukhari, al-Jana'iz, Hadith: 1390)

Hadith Commentary:
Abu Umair was the same child who died in his childhood, and Umm Sulaym concealed the news of his death from his father until he had eaten and had relations with Umm Sulaym. At that time, Umm Sulaym said that the child had passed away and that he should be buried. As a result of this patience and gratitude, Allah placed a pregnancy in Umm Sulaym’s womb that very night and granted her the best replacement.

Hadith Commentary:
(1)
Abu Umair radi Allahu anhu was the maternal brother of Anas radi Allahu anhu. Both of them had the same mother, Umm Sulaym radi Allahu anha. Abu Umair radi Allahu anhu had kept a small bird at home with which he used to play. He passed away during the blessed lifetime of the Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam.

(2)
Whenever the Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam would visit the house of Umm Sulaym radi Allahu anha, he would, in a cheerful manner, ask Abu Umair radi Allahu anhu about the condition of his bird. From this, it is understood that there is no harm in being cheerful with children. A person should be good-natured, but this cheerfulness should remain within the bounds of the Shariah. And Allah knows best.

Hadith Footnote:
Vocabulary of the Hadith:
Nughayr:
This is a bird,
whose head and beak are red,
in some narrations this bird is called "Sa'wat",
Abu Umair used to play with it and it had died.

Benefits and Issues:
From this hadith it is understood that
a child and a person without children can also be given a kunyah (teknonym), and it is not necessary to adopt a kunyah based on the name of one's child, and it is permissible to play and joke with children,
children can play with birds, and if there is no fear of temptation (fitnah), a person may visit a woman at her home, and it is not necessary for the Imam to visit everyone or to mix equally with all,
some scholars have derived more than sixty benefits from this hadith,
see Fath al-Bari, Chapter: The Kunyah of a Child and Before a Man Has Children, vol. 10.

1:
By "bisat" (bedding) is meant a mat, because it is spread out on the ground.

Explanation:
1:
The nughayr is a bird similar to a sparrow, whose beak is red. Abu Umair had kept this bird and was very fond of it. When it died, the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) would, as a form of consoling jest, ask him about it.

Benefits and Issues:
The hadith scholars have deduced from this hadith that playful, lighthearted speech is permissible, and there is no harm in permissible joking within the allowed limits.
Showing affection to children is a part of good character.
It is permissible to give a kunyah (teknonym) at a young age, and keeping animals, placing them in a cage, and playing with them is also permissible.
(Imam Khattabi rahimahullah)

Benefits and Issues:
(1)
This is the same hadith that has appeared under number 3720. The purpose of mentioning it here is that Abu Umair (radi Allahu anhu) was still a child, for whom the concept of having children of his own could not even be imagined. Despite this, the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) suggested a kunyah (teknonym) for him and addressed him by this kunyah.

Benefits and Issues:

➊ Nughayz or Nughar is the name of a bird that resembles a sparrow; its beak is red. (Al-Nihayah) Hafiz Ibn Hajar, in his explanation, has also mentioned an opinion that what is meant by this is (Sa‘u) (Mamoola), pronounced like ‘Afw. (Fath al-Bari: 10/715)

➋ It is permissible to say playful things to children that make them happy.

➌ Some people, in jest, say things to small children that cause them distress. This is not permissible.

➍ It is permissible to keep birds and the like, provided that proper care is taken regarding their food and so on.