APOSTLE

Arabic rasul . hawari . The term rasul (apostle or messenger) is applied to Muhammad, that of hawari being used in tho Qur'an (Surah iii. 4,5; Surah iv. 111, 112; Surah lxi., 14) for the Apostles of Jesus. The word hawari seems to be derived from the Ethiopic hara, "to go"; hawarya; "apostle"; although, according to al-Baiziwi, the commentator, it is derived from hawira, "to be white," in Syriac, hawar, was given to the disciples of Jesus, be says, on account of their purity of life and sincerity, or because they were respectable men and wore white garments. In the Traditions (Mishkat, book i.e. vi part 2) hawari is used for the followers of all the prophets. [PROPHETS.]