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Glite Dictionary
🕌 Islam-related 🧕 A Muslim (old term)
Muhammadan

Muhammadan

9.3
Relating to Muhammad or the religion of Islam, used in older texts
  • adjective
  • /məˈhɑːmədən/
  • Archaic
translation icon : mahometano
  • The British colonial administration sometimes used Muhammadan law in their legal codes.

Examples

  • The historian wrote about Muhammadan architecture in medieval India.

  • The Muhammadan calendar is based on lunar months.

  • Many older European texts refer to Muslims as Muhammadan people, though this is now considered inaccurate.

  • Many Muhammadan traditions have influenced modern culture.

  • The Muhammadan traditions often emphasize charity and communal prayers during Ramadan.

  • Many Muhammadan scholars contributed to advancements in science and philosophy during the Golden Age of Islam.

  • In his Muhammadan teachings, he advocated for peace and compassion among all people.

Synonyms

Islamic
vsMuhammadan
357 2.5

Relating to Islam, its people, and their culture

is an older term tied to the prophet and used mainly in historical contexts
Moslem
vsMuhammadan
  • Archaic
3 9.3

Relating to Islam or the people who follow it

is older and specifically links usage to the prophet and past contexts

Compounds

Muhammadan calendar
  • Archaic
8.0

A lunar calendar used by Muslims that starts in 622 AD and whose months move through the year

Surface Forms

Muhammadan positive

Morphology

Muhammadan = Muhammad (transparent) = Muhammad + an

The adjective is clearly formed from the proper name 'Muhammad' with the productive adjectival suffix '-an' meaning 'relating to'.

Etymology

Muhammadan comes from the name Muhammad plus the ending -an, which means 'from' or 'belonging to', like in American. It originally meant 'relating to Muhammad or to Islam', but today it is old-fashioned and can be seen as offensive, so people usually say Muslim or Islamic.