ابو

abū(used, like ibn, in comb. with a following subst. in the gen., the final ūbeing shortened in pron. if the Ar. art. precede the subst.), s.m. Father; originator, author, etc.—abu`l-bashar, Lit. 'The father of the human race'; Adam.—abu`l-ḥāris̤, s.m. The lion (he being among beasts of prey, the strongest to acquire).—abū-bakr, Lit. 'The father of the virgin'; the name of the father-in-law of, and first successor to, Mohammad.—abū-turāb, Lit. 'Father dusty;' a nickname of 'Alī, the son-inlaw of Mohammad.—abū-jahl, Lit. 'Father of ignorance,' the name of an uncle of Mohammad, noted for his stubbornness.—abū-`alī-sīnā, The name of a celebrated sage and physician.—abū-huraira, Lit. 'Father (owner) of the little cat'; the nickname of one of Mohammad's disciples (who was in the habit of carrying a pet cat about with him).