Discover the meaning of the term Al-jsm (جسم) in Islamic vocabulary.
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Updated on 11 April 2026 at 1:05 AM
📖 4 min readA substance (jawhar) receptive of the three dimensions; it has been said: the jism is the composite formed of substance.
It is the receptacle of the three dimensions, namely length, breadth, and depth, that is, the divisible into length, breadth, and depth. If that receptacle is a substance, it is a natural body; otherwise, a taught body (ta'limi). The word jism is therefore equivocal by equivocation of meaning between the natural and the taught. Some philosophers held it coined for each separately, making it equivocal between them by equivocation of word. The majority hold it coined for the natural, real in itself and figurative of the taught, because it is what first comes to mind when jism is used, not the taught; and what first comes to mind is a sign of reality. This definition aims at the natural body, namely the substance receptive of the three dimensions, with the philosophers and the Mu'tazila. As for the Ash'aris: the jism is the divisible substance.
What subsists by itself in the world. Al-Manawi said: what has length, breadth, and depth; the body's parts do not cease to be bodies though cut and divided, unlike the individual (shakhs), which ceases to be an individual upon division. Al-jisman: it is said: it is the individual (al-Mufradat, p. 94; al-Hudud al-Aniqa, p. 71; al-Tawqif, p. 245). Al-jiss, with kasra and fatha of the jim: building plaster; a Persian word Arabicized (al-Matla', p. 280). Al-ji'ala, with tathlith of the jim: also called al-ja'l, al-ji'ala, and al-ji'ila: the undertaking of a known reward for a known or unknown work whose measure is hard to fix; so said Ibn Malik. Ibn Faris said: al-ja'l, al-ji'ala, and al-ji'ila: what a man gives for something to be done. In technical usage: that a person capable of disposal designate a known sum for one who performs for him a known work, as assigning his slave to such a shop or the building of such a wall. Ibn 'Arfa said: a contract of exchange upon a human being's work, for a reward not arising from its object, incumbent only in its entirety. Or: the undertaking of a known reward for a specified work. Ijara differs from ji'ala in that ji'ala is a hire upon a benefit whose attainment is probable; the hirer does not benefit from part of the worker's work, which must be completed in full; and it is not binding in aggregate (Mu'jam al-Maqayis, art. j-'-l, p. 216; al-Mufradat, p. 94; al-Mughni of Ibn Batish, 1/406; Fath al-Bari, introduction, p. 103; al-Matla', p. 281; Fath al-Wahhab, 1/267; al-Rawd al-Murbi', p. 330; al-Mawsu'a al-Fiqhiyya, 1/253, 3/326, 24/273).
What is located, divisible, a substance of three dimensions.
What has length, breadth and depth; the body's parts do not cease to be bodies though cut and divided, unlike the individual, which ceases to be an individual upon division; so al-Raghib put it (al-Mufradat, p. 94).
To grow thin and lose one's fat. Iyala (the subjects): to govern them and tend them well.
﴿وَقَالَ لَهُمْ نَبِيُّهُمْ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ قَدْ بَعَثَ لَكُمْ طَالُوتَ مَلِكًۭا ۚ قَالُوٓا۟ أَنَّىٰ يَكُونُ لَهُ ٱلْمُلْكُ عَلَيْنَا وَنَحْنُ أَحَقُّ بِٱلْمُلْكِ مِنْهُ وَلَمْ يُؤْتَ سَعَةًۭ مِّنَ ٱلْمَالِ ۚ قَالَ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ ٱصْطَفَىٰهُ عَلَيْكُمْ وَزَادَهُۥ بَسْطَةًۭ فِى ٱلْعِلْمِ وَٱلْجِسْمِ ۖ وَٱللَّهُ يُؤْتِى مُلْكَهُۥ مَن يَشَآءُ ۚ وَٱللَّهُ وَٰسِعٌ عَلِيمٌۭ﴾
« And their prophet said to them, "Indeed, Allah has sent to you Saul as a king." They said, "How can he have kingship over us while we are more worthy of kingship than him and he has not been given any measure of wealth?" He said, "Indeed, Allah has chosen him over you and has increased him abundantly in knowledge and stature. And Allah gives His sovereignty to whom He wills. And Allah is all-Encompassing [in favor] and Knowing." »
Surah البقرة : 247