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When was Egypt referred to as “Misr”?

Can you please help me in finding out when the first mention of “Misr” in regards to Egypt was recorded in hadith literature. Are there any hadiths which refer to Egypt as “Misr” at the time of our Prophet (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) or was it named “Misr” after our Prophet (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) passed away?

Answer

You seem to want to ascertain when was Egypt referred to as “Misr”. Egypt is referred to as “Misr” approximately five times in the Holy Quran:

1) Surah 2 verse: 61

2) Surah 10 verse: 87

3) Surah 12 verse: 21

4) Surah 12 verse: 99

5) Surah 43 verse: 61

Egypt is also referred to as “Misr” in the Sirah of Nabi (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam).

(See Al Bidayah Wan Nihayah, vol. 3 pg. 371)

‘Allamah Yaqut Al Hamawi (rahimahullah) mentions that “Misr” is named after the third descendant of Nuh (‘alayhis salam).

(Mu’jamul Buldan, vol 5 pg. 160)

This shows that the area was called “Misr” from ancient times.

However the geographical boundaries of “Misr” is bound to have changed through the passage of time.

And Allah Ta’ala Knows best

Answered by: Moulana Suhail Motala

Approved by: Moulana Muhammad Abasoomar

Checked by: Moulana Haroon Abasoomar

This answer was collected from HadithAnswers.com. The answers were either answered or checked by Moulana Haroon Abasoomar (rahimahullah) who was a Shaykhul Hadith in South Africa, or by his son, Moulana Muhammad Abasoomer (hafizahullah), who is a Hadith specialist. 

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