Interview with Yousef in Dhahran

I’ve known that to address a man as the father of his son is a sign of respect: for example, abu Maktoum (“father of Maktoum”) is a respectful way to address Sheik Rashid.

Sheikh Maktoum was the Ruler of Dubai who died last month. He was only 63 years old.

Sheik Maktoum bin Rashid al Maktoum (image credit)

What I didn’t know was the son can also be addressed as abu. Yousef said that the name is taken from the father, if the son is young and doesn’t have children (sons, I suppose).

In this case, the abu address conveys the messages to the son that there are larger things than he.