Is it permissible to use the kunya "Abu Al-Alam" (Father of Knowledge)?
Source: FtawySummary from Ftawy's records · added here Sep 2, 2026
The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, forbade names that imply self-praise and commendation. Therefore, the kunya "Abu al-Ilm" (Father of Knowledge) is religiously disliked (makrooh) because it contains self-praise, arrogance, and boasting. Some jurists have even considered it a major sin if it is boasting without right or necessity.
Indeed, a true possessor of knowledge would not entertain such a thought, for knowledge is humility and an awareness of one's own ignorance.
Summary from Ftawy's records · added here
Reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
Read the full answer on Ftawyhttps://ftawy.com/en/questions/26053
Where this answer came from
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- Ftawy
- Original fatwa ID
- 26053
- Added here
- . This is when the answer was added to El Fatwa, not the fatwa's date.
- Text
- Summary from Ftawy's records, reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
- Read the full ruling
- Read the full answer on Ftawy