Concise Introduction to Principles of Islamic Jurisprudence Based on al-Waraqat by Imam al-Juwayni [Part 8]
In the Arabic language, al-Aam means inclusive and extensive.
Technically, al-Aam is an all-encompassing utterance that includes all its individual elements without restriction. It includes everything to which it is applicable.
For example, if someone says, ‘Honor the men.” The word ‘the men’ is a general utterance. It refers to all men without limiting any number.
The word ‘al-aam’ is derived from the Arabic word ‘amma’, which means to include. For example, a’mmat Zayd and Amr in the endowment, and a’mma all people in the endowment, which means ‘I included Zayd and Amr in the endowment, and included all people in the endowment.’
Types of Utterances Denoting Generality
• Adding ‘al’ to a singular word, e.g. a man rajal is a singular word. By adding ‘al’ to it, it becomes a general utterance, the man al-rajal.
• Adding ‘al’ to a plural noun, e.g. scholars ‘ulamã’’. By adding ‘al’ it becomes a general utterance ‘al-ulamã’ ‘the scholars.’
• Indefinite nouns. For example, 1) ‘man’ ‘who’, it is used for rational beings. For example, honor a person who embraces Islam. 2) ‘ma’ ‘what’, it is used for non-rational beings. For example, eat what you like. 3) ‘ayy’ ‘that’, it is used for both rational and non-rational beings. For example, honor any Muslim that you meet. Master any work that you do. 4) ‘ayn’ ‘where’, it is used to ask about a place. Where did you go? 5) ‘mata’ ‘when’, it is used to ask about time. When did you go? 6) ‘ma’ ‘what’, it is used to ask questions. For example, ‘ma’ ‘what’ is your name? It is also used for conditions. For example, ‘ma’ ‘whatever’ good thing you do, you will find its reward with Allah. Moreover, ‘ma’ ‘what’ is used for other usages. For example, buy ‘ma’ ‘whatever’ things you like. 7) ‘la’ ‘no’, it is used with the indefinite. For example, ‘lã’ ‘no man’ is in the house.
• Generality applies only to utterances. It cannot refer to other things, such as actions and the like (actions are not types of general utterance).
For example, Bilal, may Allah be pleased with him, narrated that Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) prayed inside al-Kaaba. This action does not indicate generality and does not necessarily mean that he prayed other obligatory and voluntary prayers inside al-Kaaba.
Rules that Messenger Muhammad issued, and they have not been narrated to us as his sayings and utterances; rather, his companions narrated them to us. For example, a companion might narrate that Messenger Muhammad issued a judgment on a particular issue. It cannot be decided that the judgment is a general utterance if there is no evidence confirming its generality.
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