Among the Arabs, agnomen is used for men and women for two reasons:
Because of possessing some perfection. For example, a person who is very obedient to Allah is named as“Abu-Abdullah” ; a person with extreme virtues and superiority as“Abu’l-Fazl” and a pious and righteous one as“Aba-Saleh” .
Because of his/her son’s name. In hope that he/she would possess a son in the future who would be named so. The agnomen of“Abu-Fazl” is given to him at the time of his birth or thereafter. The agnomen of“Umma-Fazl” is given to a woman in a similar position.
“Abu-Saleh” is one of the agnomens of our affectionate Imam and is more popular among the Arabs. While calling upon Imam and imploring help from him, they use this name.[223] Muhaddis Nouri writes:
Ahmad-ibn-Muhammad-ibn-Khaled Barqi narrates in his book“Mahasin” from Abu-Baseer that Imam Sadeq (a.s.) said: “Whenever you lose your way, call out:[224]
يا صالح! يا ابا صالح! ارشدنا الي الطريق! رحمكم الله
The word آدركني (= help me) is uttered by the one seeking and imploring for help. Therefore, the name“Aba-Saleh” used for Imam Mahdi (a.t.f.s.) takes its roots from traditions.