Reading the Quran Through the Eye of a Logician

Five tools, one framework: The five tools of Session 2 form a complete analytical framework. Apply them to any verse, Hadith, or scholarly text and you will read at a depth few readers reach.

Ask these five questions: The five questions are:

• Lafz: is this word Mufrad (one word — forms a concept) or Murakkab Taam (a complete proposition — can be true or false)?
• Ma'na: is the meaning Kulli (universal — applies to many) or Juz'i (particular — one specific thing)?
• Dilalah: is the word pointing by Mutabaqah (exact), Tadammun (part of the meaning), or Iltizam (necessary accompaniment)?
• Mantuq/Mafhum: what is the explicit meaning? What is the implied meaning — Muwafaqah or Mukhalafah?
• Wad': is this a Lughawi meaning, an Urfi meaning, or a Shar'i technical meaning?

Worked example — Quran 17:23: Worked example — Quran 17:23: "Your Lord has decreed that you worship none but Him — and treat parents with excellence (Ihsan) — and do not say Uff to them." Analysis: "Ihsan" is Mufrad (one word — a complete concept).

Murakkab Taam and Kulli, in the verse: "Do not say Uff" is Murakkab Taam (a complete proposition — can be true or false as a ruling). "Walidayn" (parents) is Kulli — it applies to all parents at all times, not Juz'i.

Mutabaqah and Iltizam, in the verse: "Do not say Uff" is Mutabaqah — it forbids saying "Uff". Iltizam: it also implies forbidding the attitude of disrespect that saying "Uff" expresses.

Mantuq and Mafhum, in the verse: Mantuq: don't say "Uff". Mafhum al-Muwafaqah: don't hit, don't insult, don't humiliate (all worse than "Uff" — the same direction).

Mafhum al-Mukhalafah and Wad': Mafhum al-Mukhalafah: if parents consent to something, it is permitted. Wad': "Ihsan" is Lughawi (excellence/goodness); "Uff" is Lughawi (a sound of disgust); there is no Shar'i technical redefinition — use the Lughawi meanings.

One verse, deep conclusions: From one verse, using these five tools, the scholar derives the prohibition of all forms of parental disrespect, the obligation of excellence in treatment, and applicability to all cultures and times.

Example

Try it yourself tomorrow: Try the same five questions on any verse you read tomorrow. You will be surprised how much more is in it than you first saw.

Key Terms

19 terms mastered in Session 2 (as listed on Slide 14):

• Lafz
• Mufrad
• Murakkab Taam
• Murakkab Naqis
• Ma'na
• Kulli
• Juz'i
• Dilalah
• Mutabaqah
• Tadammun
• Iltizam
• Mantuq
• Mafhum
• Mafhum al-Muwafaqah
• Mafhum al-Mukhalafah
• Wad'
• Lughawi
• Urfi
• Shar'i

Quran or Hadith

Quran 17:23 (Surah Al-Isra), translation as shown on the slide. — to be checked.

Fresh diagram to be drawn: A five-step checklist diagram (5-Tool Framework) that the reader can follow for any verse. To be drawn in Project Desk colours.

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