The noun ʿisam is not in the Quran, but its root is: “Hold fast (iʿtasimu), all together, to the rope of Allah and do not be divided” (3:103); and to the Prophet ﷺ: “Allah will protect you (yaʿsimuka) from the people” (5:67).
Meaning of the name Issam
ʿIsam means the strap that closes and holds a waterskin, from the root ʿ-s-m of what holds back and protects (ʿisma, “protection”). The name is famous through the proverb “nafsu ʿIsamin sawwadat ʿIsama”, “it was ʿIsam’s own soul that made him a lord”, said of one who owes his rank to his qualities, not his birth. It is common in Egypt (Essam) and the Levant.
And hold firmly to the rope of Allāh all together and do not become divided. And remember the favor of Allāh upon you - when you were enemies and He brought your hearts together and you became, by His favor, brothers. And you were on the edge of a pit of the Fire, and He saved you from it. Thus does Allāh make clear to you His verses that you may be guided.
[But] he said, "I will take refuge on a mountain to protect me from the water." [Noah] said, "There is no protector today from the decree of Allāh, except for whom He gives mercy." And the waves came between them, and he was among the drowned.
O Messenger, announce that which has been revealed to you from your Lord, and if you do not, then you have not conveyed His message. And Allāh will protect you from the people. Indeed, Allāh does not guide the disbelieving people.
