Muslim, title by which the Mohammedans distinguish themselves from other names: it signifies in the Turkish language orthodox or true believer. See Mohammedanism.

In Arabic this word is written Moslem , or Moselman , or Musolman .

The Sarrazins are the first to have been called Muslims , according to the observation of Leunclavius. There are two sorts of Muslims , strongly opposed to each other: some are called Sunnis , and the others Shiites ; the former follow the explication of the Al-Qur'an given by Omar, the Shiites follow that of Haly. The subjects of the King of Persia are Shiites, and those of the Great Lord are Sunnis. See Sunna and Qur'an.

According to some authors, the word «  musulman » signifies saved , that is to say, predestined ; and in fact this is the name that the Mohammedans give themselves, believing themselves all predestined to salvation. Martinius says more particular things on the origin of this name; he has it coming from the Arabic word musalum, saved, escaped from danger . The Mohammedans, says this author, having established their religion by weapons and fire, massacring all those who did not want to embrace it and granting their lives to all those who did embrace it, called them musulmans , that is to say empti è periculo: thereby in later time this word became the title and distinctive mark of this sect, and was attached by them to what they call true believers .