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963
THE ROLE OF LEXICAL FACTORS IN DERIVING RULINGS FROM AHKAM
VERSES: A LINGUISTIC AND JURISPRUDENTIAL ANALYSIS
Ulugbek Mirsadikov
Senior Lecturer, Department of Oriental Languages, Oriental University
Abstract:
This article explores the critical role of lexical elements and linguistic features of the
Arabic language in extracting legal rulings from the Ahkam verses of the Qur’an. It examines
how the polysemy of words, shared meanings, and grammatical constructions influence diverse
jurisprudential interpretations. The study underlines the importance of deep lexical and
grammatical knowledge for accurate and scholarly Islamic legal deductions. The article uses
Quranic examples and classical juristic opinions to demonstrate how linguistic subtleties and
variations in Quranic recitations can lead to different legal conclusions.
Keywords:
Ahkam verses, lexical factors, Quranic interpretation, Islamic jurisprudence,
grammatical analysis, polysemy, Quranic recitations.
Introduction.
Ahkam verses of the Qur’an serve as the foundation for Islamic jurisprudence
(Fiqh) and legal rulings. Extracting precise legal judgments from these verses requires profound
mastery of the Arabic language, encompassing both vocabulary and grammar. A mere literal
translation or simplistic understanding is insufficient for scholarly Islamic legal interpretation.
The rich lexical variety, the multiple meanings of words (polysemy), syntactic nuances, and the
functions of particles and conjunctions are crucial for comprehending the true implications of the
verses. Furthermore, understanding the Quranic recitation variations is essential, as they can
significantly affect the legal meanings derived.
Materials and Methods.
The article adopts a linguistic and jurisprudential analytical approach
to investigate the role of lexical factors in Ahkam verses. The methodology involves close
examination of selected Quranic verses alongside classical and contemporary juristic
commentaries. This includes an analysis of word meanings, grammatical roles, and phonetic
variations in Quranic recitations (Qira’at), all of which contribute to the jurisprudential
conclusions.
Islamic legal scholars emphasize the necessity of mastering Arabic linguistic sciences. As stated
by Sirajuddin al-Isnawi, Knowing Arabic is obligatory for understanding the Shariah, the Qur’an,
and the transmitted knowledge. Similarly, Ibn Hazm highlights the indispensable role of
linguistics in jurisprudence, noting that a jurist must be proficient in Arabic grammar and
vocabulary to issue valid legal rulings.
Discussion.
One of the fundamental linguistic challenges in interpreting Ahkam verses is the
polysemy of Arabic words – where a single word carries multiple, often related meanings. The
selection of which meaning applies in a given verse can lead to varying jurisprudential opinions.
For instance, the word yad (hand) in Arabic may denote several anatomical parts: from the
fingertips to the shoulder, including the palm and wrist. This variation has direct implications in
rulings related to punishment for theft, where the Qur’an commands the amputation of the hand
(Surah Al-Ma’idah, 5:38). Different juristic schools debate which specific part of the hand is
intended, resulting in diverse legal verdicts.
Volume 15 Issue 06, June 2025
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964
Imam Maturidi, in his commentary
Ta’wilat
, elaborates that the term “yad” can broadly refer to
the entire arm, but the command for amputation is understood by most jurists to target the palm
and fingers, excluding the arm up to the shoulder or elbow. Such differences highlight how
lexical interpretation affects legal decisions.
Grammatical Particles and Their Role
Apart from lexical ambiguity, Arabic particles (“harf”) and grammatical constructions play a
vital role in determining the nature of the legal ruling – whether it is obligatory, recommended,
or permissive. The function of conjunctions, prepositions, and case endings can subtly alter the
legal implication of a verse.
Example of Quranic Recitations Impacting Rulings
The verse from Surah Al-Ma’idah (5:6) concerning ritual purification illustrates how differences
in Quranic recitation affect jurisprudence:
O you who believe! When you rise to perform prayer, wash your faces and your hands up to the
elbows, wipe your heads and your feet up to the ankles.
There exist several Qira’at (canonical recitations) regarding the phrase your feet:
Some reciters read it with the accusative case, indicating washing the feet.
Others read it in the genitive case, which some jurists interpret as wiping rather than washing.
This linguistic difference has led to contrasting rulings within Islamic schools of thought: some
mandate washing the feet during ablution (wudu), while others consider wiping (mas’h)
sufficient.
Prominent companions and jurists like Ali, Ibn Abbas, Anas, and scholars of the Imami Shi’a
school advocate for wiping, whereas others insist on washing based on the grammatical reading
of the verse. This demonstrates how subtle linguistic factors affect the formulation of Islamic law.
Results.
The research confirms that detailed linguistic knowledge is indispensable for accurate
legal interpretation of the Ahkam verses. Mastery over lexical meanings, grammatical nuances,
and understanding of Quranic recitation variants enables jurists to avoid erroneous or incomplete
rulings. The pluralism in Islamic jurisprudence partly stems from these linguistic intricacies.
Conclusion.
Ahkam verses require a deep and nuanced understanding of Arabic language and
linguistics for deriving legal rulings. Jurists and exegetes must consider all possible lexical
meanings, the function of grammatical particles, and differences in Quranic recitations.
Awareness of these factors is crucial for producing reliable and scholarly Islamic legal opinions.
This approach ensures that Islamic law remains dynamic, contextual, and firmly rooted in the
linguistic reality of its primary source – the Qur’an.
References
1.
Jo‘zjoni, A.Sh.
Islamic Jurisprudence: Hanafi School and Central Asian Jurists
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Tashkent: TIU, 2002.
2.
Shaykh Muhammad Sodiq Muhammad Yusuf.
Usul al-Fiqh
. Tashkent: Sharq, 2010.
3.
Abd al-Wahhab Abd al-Salam Tawila.
The Impact of Language on Juristic Differences
.
Dar al-Salam, 2000.
4.
Dr. Abdullah Muhammad al-Ja‘ki.
Differences in the Meanings of Prepositions and Their
Effects on the Interpretation of Quranic Texts
.
5.
Ahmad ibn Ali al-Razi al-Jassas.
Ahkam al-Qur’an
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6.
Abdul Karim Hamdi.
The Impact of Linguistic Principles in Deriving Ahkam from the
Qur’an
. 7-9. Various online resources and classical Islamic jurisprudential texts.
