Hagarines

views updated

HAGARINES

Term used by Christians in the Middle Ages to designate Arabs and Muslims in general. It derives from the tradition that Arabs descend from Ishmael, son of Abraham and his servant Hagar. The term itself derives from the Arabic Muhajirun, those who accompanied Muhammad on his hijra from Mecca. The word hijra is based on the Arabic root H-J-R, from which also comes the Arabic name of Hagar.

SEE ALSO Abraham;Hijra;Ishmael;Muhajirun, al-.