MUSLIM (مسلم)
Definition and Significance
Muslim (مسلم) in the Islamic context primarily designates an adherent of Islam, one who submits to the will of Allah as articulated in the Qur’an and the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). The term is applicable universally to all believers and followers of Islamic faith and practices.
However, in a narrower historical and scholarly context, it refers notably to Abū ʾl-Ḥusain Muslim ibn al-Ḥajjāj al-Qushairī, an eminent Islamic scholar famed for his compilation of Hadith, which are sayings, actions, or approvals of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).
Etymology
- Arabic: مسلم (Muslim)
- Turkish: Müslim
The root of the word ‘Muslim’ is ‘س ل م’ (S-L-M), which means ‘peace’ or ‘submission’. A Muslim is thus one who submits to the will of Allah, seeking peace.
Abū ʾl-Ḥusain Muslim: A Brief Biography
Abū ʾl-Ḥusain Muslim ibn al-Ḥajjāj al-Qushairī was born in the year 204 A.H (818 C.E) in Naishapūr (present-day Nishapur, Iran). He passed away in 261 A.H (875 C.E). His scholarly pursuits were heavily centered on the collection and compilation of Hadith. Among Sunnis, Muslim’s collection is distinguished as the second most authoritative Hadith compilation after Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī.
Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim
The Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim is a revered anthology of hadiths that Sunnis regard with near-equal sanctity as the Sahih Bukhari. The work is one of the Ṣaḥīḥayn (the “two authentics”), a term referring to the two most authoritative collections of Hadith in Sunni Islam:
- Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī
- Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim
Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim houses around 3,000 authentic traditions, meticulously sourced and verified by Abū ʾl-Ḥusain Muslim, thereby serving as a cornerstone for many aspects of Islamic jurisprudence and daily practices.
Further Reading
To delve deeper into the life and works of Abū ʾl-Ḥusain Muslim and the significance of his contributions to Islamic tradition, the following readings are recommended:
- “An Introduction to the Science of Hadith” by Ibn al-Salah, available in English translations that offer insight into Hadīth compilation methodologies.
- “Sahih Muslim” translation and commentary by Abdul Hamid Siddiqui, providing an English rendition of this foundational text.
Takeaways
- Muslim (مسلم) fundamentally means ‘one who submits to the will of Allah’.
- Abū ʾl-Ḥusain Muslim was a prominent Islamic scholar known for compiling one of the most authoritative collections of Hadith.
- The Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim contains about 3,000 authenticated hadiths, crucial to Sunni Islamic thought and practice.
Conclusion
The term ‘Muslim’ extends beyond merely denoting a follower of Islam; it also encapsulates a broader legacy of intellectual and theological contributions like those of Abū ʾl-Ḥusain Muslim. His work, particularly the Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim, remains pivotal in shaping and understanding Sunni perspectives on Hadith and Islamic jurisprudence.
By comprehending the dual significance of the term and the contributions of individual scholars, one’s appreciation of Islamic traditions and their historical contexts deepens.
