The Four Standard Forms [A] [E] [I] [O]

Four forms, and only four: Quantity (Kulli/Juz'i) multiplied by quality (Mujiba/Saliba) gives four — and only four — possible standard forms. Every categorical proposition in existence is one of these four.

Know them, analyse anything: Know them, and you can analyse any argument in Islamic theology, law, or philosophy.

• Kulliyya Mujiba [A] — Universal Affirmative: "All S is P". Every single member of the subject class has the predicate. No exception allowed. Islamic examples: "Kullu khamrin haramun" — all wine is forbidden (true); "Kullu insanin hayawanun" — every human is an animal (true); "Kullu insanin nabiyyun" — every human is a prophet (false — but still Kulliyya Mujiba in form). Quran: "Every soul shall taste death" (3:185). This is the most commonly used form in Islamic legal rulings and theological proofs.
• Kulliyya Saliba [E] — Universal Negative: "No S is P". Not a single member of the subject class has the predicate. Complete denial. Islamic examples: "La shay'a minal riba halal" — no riba is permissible (true); "La shay'a minal khalqi qadim" — nothing in creation is eternal (true). Quran: "Nothing is like Him" (42:11). This is the foundation of Islamic theology — the basis of Tanzih (divine transcendence).
• Juz'iyya Mujiba [I] — Particular Affirmative: "Some S is P". At least some members of the subject class have the predicate. Not claiming all, not denying all. Islamic examples: "Ba'du al-'ulama' wusilu ila darajat al-Ijtihad" — some scholars have reached Ijtihad (true); "Ba'du al-Muslimin ghayr multazim" — some Muslims are not fully observant (true). Quran: "And among the people of Moses is a community that guides with truth" (7:159). This is the weakest universal claim — used when evidence for all cannot be established.
• Juz'iyya Saliba [O] — Particular Negative: "Some S is not P". At least some members of the subject class do not have the predicate. A partial denial. Islamic examples: "Ba'du al-a'mal laysa maqbulan" — some deeds are not accepted (true); "Ba'du al-'ulama' laysu mujahidun" — some scholars are not engaged in Jihad (true). Quran: "And among them are those who do not believe in it" (10:40). This is used to refute universal claims — one Juz'iyya Saliba destroys a Kulliyya Mujiba.

Example

The power relationship: The power relationship: Kulliyya Mujiba [A] is destroyed by one Juz'iyya Saliba [O]. Kulliyya Saliba [E] is destroyed by one Juz'iyya Mujiba [I].

Tanaqud — the subject of Session 6: This relationship, called Tanaqud (contradiction), is the subject of Session 6 and the Square of Opposition.

Key Terms

• Kulliyya Mujiba (کلیة موجبة) — [A]
• Kulliyya Saliba (کلیة سالبة) — [E]
• Juz'iyya Mujiba (جزئیة موجبة) — [I]
• Juz'iyya Saliba (جزئیة سالبة) — [O]
• Tanaqud (التناقض) — contradiction

Quran or Hadith

Quran 3:185; Quran 42:11; Quran 7:159; Quran 10:40 — all as shown on the slide. — to be checked.

Fresh diagram to be drawn: A 2×2 grid diagram (Quantity × Quality) with the four forms, their formulas, and one example each. To be drawn in Project Desk colours.