Is it permissible to refer to the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) as Abu Fatimah?

Question:
May Allah reward you, Honorable Shaykh. A questioner says: I heard a person say, "O Allah, send blessings upon Abu Fatimah." Is this statement correct? And does it lead to a negative assumption regarding his creed?

Answer:
The Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) is not referred to as Abu Fatimah. This is only said by some of the common people; some of the common people say this, and it is a mistake. The Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) is referred to as Abu al-Qasim (peace and blessings be upon him). And even though he is the father of Fatimah (may Allah be pleased with her), he is not referred to by her name. Perhaps this encourages the Shi'ah who, in their claim, follow the People of the House and Fatimah; this encourages them.
We love Fatimah (may Allah be pleased with her), and she is the daughter of our Messenger, a noble Companion, and among the closest relatives to the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him). We love her and respect her, but we do not refer to the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) by her name. Yes.