I have a question about the terms “ar-rahim” and “ar-radjim”. Back in the 12th century, El-Idrisi was writing about an African tribe on the east African coast. Idrisi says that the tribe worshiped a drum, and the name they gave to the drum has an obvious Islamic influence. In the first non-Arabic translation of Idrisi's work (into French in the mid-eighteenth century), it says that the tribe named the drum "ar-rahim" ("most merciful"). In a later translation, it says that the first translation was wrong, and the tribe had actually named the drum "ar-radjim" (the dot under the "h" letter in Arabic was not transcribed in the first version, so although Idrisi wrote "ar-radjim", it was initially translated as "ar-rahim"). The name of the drum, then, in English would be "the accursed"?
My question is, considering the meaning of "ar-radjim", does it make sense that this African tribe, after having contact with Muslim traders, would name their drum "ar-radjim"? Drums in African tribes are used to provide protection from enemies. Why would they name the drum "the accursed"? Does this make sense? Would it make more sense to name the drum "ar-rahim"?
Also, I realize that to a Muslim naming the drum "ar-rahim" would be very offensive, since the word is a synonym for Allah. Would the name "ar-radjim" be equally offensive?
I would appreciate any help you could give me. I am not a Muslim and do not know Arabic. If you reply, please consider that my knowledge in these areas is limited.
My question is, considering the meaning of "ar-radjim", does it make sense that this African tribe, after having contact with Muslim traders, would name their drum "ar-radjim"? Drums in African tribes are used to provide protection from enemies. Why would they name the drum "the accursed"? Does this make sense? Would it make more sense to name the drum "ar-rahim"?
Also, I realize that to a Muslim naming the drum "ar-rahim" would be very offensive, since the word is a synonym for Allah. Would the name "ar-radjim" be equally offensive?
I would appreciate any help you could give me. I am not a Muslim and do not know Arabic. If you reply, please consider that my knowledge in these areas is limited.