A boy was born to one of our men, the Ansar, and he wanted to name him Muhammad. Then Ansari man said, "I took the boy to the Prophet (ﷺ). The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "Name your child by my name, but do not name (them) by my Kunya, for I have been made Qasim (i.e., a distributor) to distribute (the booty etc.) amongst you." The narrator, Husain said that the Prophet (ﷺ) said, "I have been sent as a Qasim (i.e., distributor) to distribute (things) amongst you." [The Sub narrator Salim said that he heard Jabir saying that the man wanted to name the boy Al-Qasim, but the Prophet (ﷺ) said, "Call (your sons) by my name, but do not name (them) by my Kunya."]
Hadith Commentary: The Prohibition of Using the Prophet's Kunya
This narration from Sahih al-Bukhari (3114) contains profound wisdom regarding the etiquette of naming children after the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. The scholars explain that while naming children "Muhammad" is highly recommended and brings blessings, using his kunya "Abu al-Qasim" (father of Qasim) was specifically prohibited by the Prophet himself.
The Wisdom Behind the Prohibition
Classical scholars like Imam al-Nawawi and Ibn Hajar al-Asqalani explain that this prohibition serves multiple purposes. Firstly, it preserves the unique identity of the Prophet ﷺ as the distributor (Qasim) of divine guidance and booty. Secondly, it prevents confusion in addressing him specifically by his distinctive appellation.
The phrase "I have been made Qasim to distribute amongst you" indicates that distribution of war booty (including the one-fifth designated for Allah's cause - Khumus) was among the Prophet's exclusive responsibilities, symbolizing his role as the distributor of divine provisions and guidance to the Muslim community.
Scholarly Consensus and Application
The majority of scholars hold that this prohibition applies specifically to combining the name Muhammad with the kunya Abu al-Qasim. It is permissible to use either the name Muhammad or the kunya Abu al-Qasim separately, but not together for the same person during the Prophet's lifetime and thereafter as a mark of respect.
This ruling exemplifies the comprehensive nature of Islamic etiquette, teaching Muslims to maintain proper reverence for the Prophet's unique status while still encouraging the blessed practice of naming children after him.