Gaon of Sura (765-775); contemporary of Malka b. A?a, principal of the academy at Pumbedita. ?aninai was a pupil of the gaon Judah, who prevented the election of Anan, the founder of the Karaite sect, to the exilarchate, and succeeded to the office himself. ?aninai united with his brother gaon at Pumbedita to remove the exilarch, Na?ronai b. ?abibai (Zebinai), electing Zakkai b. A?unai instead. ?aninai left several responsa, and to him is ascribed a midrash on Numbers 11:16, extracts from which are preserved in the Yal?u? (see Yal?., Num. 636).