MUSALLAS (مثلث)
Definition
Musallas (مثلث) is a term that translates to “made into three, or into a third.” Historically, it referred to an aromatic wine made by boiling new wine to reduce it to a third of its original volume and mixing it with sweet herbs. According to Abū Ḥanīfah, a prominent Islamic jurist and the founder of the Hanafi school of thought, such a drink was considered lawful (Hidāyah, Vol. IV, p. 162).
Etymology
The term Musallas derives from the Arabic root ث ل ث (ṯ-l-ṯ), which relates to the concept of three or one-third. It emphasizes the transformation process of the wine being boiled and reduced.
Background and Cultural Context
In medieval Islamic societies, the consumption of intoxicants like wine was a prevalent practice, but it was also highly regulated by Islamic law (Shari’ah). Musallas, as a specialized preparation of wine, represents a nuanced understanding within early Islamic jurisprudence that sought to balance lawful enjoyment with religious prohibitions.
Cultural Differences and Similarities
- In Islam: While Musallas was acceptable for certain scholars, the majority stance within Islamic jurisprudence, especially outside the Hanafi school, evolved toward prohibition of any intoxicants, aligning with Qur’anic injunctions against wine.
- In Other Cultures: Different cultures like the Greeks and Romans also produced and consumed spiced wines with reduced concentrations, aligning with culinary practices outside the religious framework.
Synonyms
- Mustalaqh (another form of sweetened wine)
- Nabīdh (fermented drink that could be from dates or grains, but not reduced to thirds)
Antonyms
- Khamr (خمر): General term for wine, often explicitly forbidden in Islam.
Related Terms
- Nabīdh: A drink that precedes the classical prohibition of Khamr.
- Itib: Aromatic or spiced wine.
Exciting Facts
- The term Musallas appears sparingly in later Islamic texts, showing the fluid evolution of legal and cultural perceptions about alcohol.
- The preparation mirrors certain modern cooking techniques used to concentrate flavors in food like sauces.
Quotations
“Let not your overindulgence blur your faith, for in balance, there is both righteous pleasure and wisdom.” -Anonymous Medieval Scholar
Suggested Literature
- “The Lawful and the Prohibited in Islam” by Yusuf al-Qaradawi: A modern analysis of what is lawful and prohibited in Islam.
- “The Wine of the Sufis: Rumi and the Intoxication of Poetry” by Nasrollah Pourjavady: A deep dive into the cultural and spiritual symbolism of wine in Islamic poetry.
References
- Hidāyah, Vol. IV, trans. Charles Hamilton.
- “Lisan al-Arab” by Ibn Manzur.
Inspirational Farewell Thought: May our understanding of the past illuminate our path toward the future, finding wisdom in every drop of knowledge like the deep flavors in Musallas.
