Meaning
What is the meaning of ḥanīf?
Answer
Imām Ibn al-Jawzī (d. 597/1201) summarized the scholars' opinions in his book "Zād al-Masīr" as follows:
- It means "one who inclines towards worship." Al-Zajjāj explains: "In the language, ḥanīf means one who inclines towards something. From this meaning, a person whose feet are pointed inwards towards one another is called aḥnaf."
- It means "upright." From this meaning, the Arabs call a lame person ḥanīf as a positive omen for his cure. [Ibn Qutaybah]
Additionally, the commentators have mentioned various qualities that apply to a person who is ḥanīf:
- ʿAṭāʾ said he is the one who is "sincere" (mukhliṣ)
- Ibn al-Sāʾib said it refers to "one who performs ḥajj."
- Others have said it means one who "worships the One God, performs ḥajj, offers sacrifice, is circumcised, and faces the Kaʿbah (in prayer)."