What is the ruling on nicknames between colleagues that do not cause annoyance? Are the narrations reported from the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, regarding joking with a woman by saying, "No old woman will enter Paradise," and nicknaming a man "donkey," authentic? And how can we reconcile them with the Almighty's saying, "nor call each other by offensive nicknames"?

A person should be addressed by the names most beloved to them, and there is no harm in using their preferred kunya (patronymic or teknonym). As for a laqab (nickname or epithet), it is often used in dispraise and is forbidden unless the person is known by it or consents to it. Otherwise, it is among the forbidden acts of "tanaabuz" (calling each other by offensive nicknames).

A laqab is divided into three categories: 1. A laqab that does not imply dispraise or deficiency: Permissible to use. 2. A laqab that implies disparagement and dispraise, and is not a physical description: Forbidden to use. The prohibition is not lifted even if the person nicknamed consents. 3. A laqab that describes a physical characteristic (e.g., "Al-A'mash" - the bleary-eyed): If it became widely associated with the person and became their known name without intent to disparage, then it is not forbidden. However, if it was not so, and the intention was merely to identify without disparagement, and the person nicknamed consented, then it is not forbidden.

Regarding the hadith "No old woman will enter Paradise": It is a mursal (missing narrator in the chain) hadith, and its text is weak and inconsistent with the character of the Prophet (peace be upon him), despite some scholars deeming it hasan (good) due to supporting narrations.

Regarding the Companion nicknamed "Himār" (Donkey): His name was Abdullah, and his laqab was Himār. This laqab was common among Arabs and was not viewed with the negative connotation known today. Rather, it could denote positive meanings such as patience and resilience.