A question was asked yesterday about the word حي in the Arabic Language, and specifically in the the hadeeth of Aisha (ra) found in Saheeh alBukhari, known as the story of the وشاح (Red leather strap) and whether it refers to ‘a neighbourhood’.

In answer to the question, whilst حي does refer to a neighbourhood in the Arabic Language, it also refers to a tribe.

In the hadeeth of the story of the وشاح the term حي refers to a tribe and not neighbourhood.

However, if we ponder over the two meanings we actually can conclude a connection between the two meanings, as historically a tribe would settle in a place formulating a sort of neighbourhood, and thus the two meaning possibly being connected through one reflective term.

And Allah knows best.

Sh. Dr. Sajid Umar
Blackburn

21/06/1444
14/01/2022