The word “Salaam’ is used as origin and sometimes as an attribute. In the first instance according Maqayis-ol-Lughata it means health and well being. “Islam” is called “Islam” because it prevents people opposing the commands of God and convinces them to be obedient and subservient to Him. The word “Tahayya” is also called “Salaam’ because it is a prayer for well being.

“Salaam” is also used for peace because it gives refuge from bloodshed and wars. Buying something before hand is called “Salam” because the buyer does not hesitate to pay before even receiving the goods. Ladders are “Sullam” because they help people to ascend and descend.

When this word is used an attribute of God then it acquires many meanings. Some people feel that it signifies freedom from the defects, confusion, destruction etc generally found in men. (1)

Some people say that it means the person whom you meet without any fear and in peace. (2)

According to some others it means the being that gives safety, comfort and well being (3) but we have no cause to limit the meanings to those cited above for it has a vast meaning that includes all the above and that is “He is free from all manner of defects, death, destruction and oppression and gives refuge and peace to His servants.

On the one side the feeling of safety and peace and ease promotes the idea of keeping one aloof from deeds which may endanger peace and on the other side is the idea that men should accept and adopt this attribute and live in a manner that all others are safe from his hands and his tongue for he should adopt civility and peace for everyone else.

The origin of the word Mumin is ‘Amn’ and according to Maqayis-ol-Lughata it has two meanings that are connected with each other. The first is safekeeping of trust as opposed to embezzlement which gives peace to the heart and the second is to confirm something. But Raghib has given only one meaning and that is freedom from fear and peace of the soul because adopting belief results in peace for people and that is why it is also understood as the witness of belief (Shahadah). When we say ‘Ameen” at the end of our prayers it means “God! Confirm this prayer and bestow thy bounties” It is also taken as the need to accept and the Arab call the camel that is well tamed and safe as “Amoon”.

According to Fakhr Razi God being “Mumin” means that He gives miracles to His apostles to confirm them.(4)

The Late Kafa’mi in Misbah says, “When it is used as the attribute of God it means that God confirms the promises He has made to His servants and bestows them. He then quotes Imam Jafar Sadiq to have said, “God is called Mumin because He protects those who obey Him from chastisement.” Some commentators feel “Mumin” Is He who keeps His servants safe from oppression and injustice.”(5) Tafsir Ruhul Bayan gives us a composite meaning which includes all the meanings mentioned above, “The entity without whom one cannot achieve peace and well being.”

Shaykh Suduq has mentioned three meanings for it in Tawhid:

The entity that makes His promise comes true.

The entity (God) who taught religion and belief to His servants through His manifest signs. (6)

The Entity who gave refuge to His servants from oppression and injustice.

But the truth is that the meaning of Mumin is not limited to these meanings only instead it has a meaning that includes all the above interpretations. When the word Mumin is used as an attribute of God then its meaning will not include the various meanings because it is so composite.

God is Mumin because He gives protection to the believers in various manners and confirms the mission of His apostles through miracles. He fulfills the promise He has given to his servants even it be the case of reward and punishment.

This name of God enhances and pronounces the respect of a Mumin or a believer because Mumin is the name of God. Men will rest and take refuge in its shadow because God is the fountain of all peace and well being. People will adopt His teaching and try to give security and safety and peace to others and will see to it that no one is hurt by their hands, tongues or even ideas.

Imam Jafar Sadiq is reported to have said, “A Mumin is a person from whom his neighbors rest assured from harm.

In another Hadith the imam said, “Mumin is he whom the Muslims trust with their lives and wealth. (7)

1. Maqayis-ol-Lughata, Misbah Kafa’mi, Lisan-ol-Arab and Majmaul Bahrain.

2. Tafsir Al Mizan vol. 19 page 256

3. Misbah Kafa’mi page 318 and Fi Zalalol Qura’n vol. 8 page 50

4. Tafsir Fakhr Razi vol. 29 page 293

5. Tafsir Qartabi vol. 9 page 6525

6. Tawhid of Suduq page 205

7. Both the Hadiths are mentioned in Tawhid on page 205 and the first Hadith is present in Usul Kafi vol.2 page 668