Nāmūs (ناموس)
Definition and Usage
Nāmūs (ناموس) refers to an angel, spirit, or being, which Waraqah ibn Nawfal is reported to have said appeared to Moses. This term was also linked to another significant historical event involving the Prophet Muhammad.
Etymology
The term Nāmūs is multifaceted in its origins:
- In Greek, it emerges from the word νόμος, meaning “law.”
- In Talmudic terminology, it represents the Torah or Revealed Law.
- In Arabic, it signifies “one who communicates a secret message” and contrasts with Jāsūs (spy) who seeks to know the evil deeds of another.
Arabic and Turkish Translations
- Arabic: ناموس (Nāmūs)
- Turkish: Nâmus
Historical and Scriptural References
Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī
In Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī, it is narrated that when Prophet Muhammad described his encounter on Mount Ḥirāʾ to Waraqah, the sage exclaimed, “It is the Nāmūs who appeared from God to Moses.”
Akhlāq-i-Jalālī
Another significant reference to Nāmūs is found in the ethical work Akhlāq-i-Jalālī: “The maintenance of equity, then, is realized by three things:
- The holy institute of God,
- The equitable Prince,
- Money or economic resources.
This text implies the term Nāmūs as “discipline and correction” within these contexts, underlining the interconnectedness of divine law, governance, and economics.
Interpretations
- According to ʿAbdu ʾl-Ḥaqq, Nāmūs means “one who knows the secret thoughts of a man.”
- Mr. Emanuel Deutsch suggests that Nāmūs is a Talmudic-Arabic hybrid term encompassing Greek νόμος’s broad meanings, from revealed law to a messenger of secrets.
Significance
The term underscores the multifaceted nature of divine communication and law within the Abrahamic traditions. It reflects the continuum of divine revelation from Moses to Muhammad, reinforcing the continuity in prophetic traditions.
Qur’anic Context
An allusion to the principles associated with Nāmūs can be found in the Qurʾān (Sūrah 57:25):
<p>“We have sent down the book, and the balance along with it, that man might stand by the right. And we have sent down steel, wherein is mighty power and advantages to man.”</p>
Suggested Books for Further Studies
- Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī by Muhammad ibn Ismail al-Bukhari
- Akhlāq-i-Jalālī edited by W.F. Thompson
- Literary Remains by Emanuel Deutsch
Takeaways and Conclusion
- Nāmūs is a term with rich, multifaceted meanings spanning Islamic, Talmudic, and Greek traditions.
- It signifies divine law, communication of secret messages, and the equitable principles of governance and economics.
- The narrative across traditions emphasizes the continuous lineage of prophetic wisdom and divine law.
Understanding Nāmūs illuminates the broader context of divine law and ethical governance in Islamic thought. It reflects the harmonizing of spiritual and worldly responsibilities, highlighting the interconnectedness of religion, law, and society.
