Grammatical Particles (Huruf al-Ma‘ani) in the Legal Thought of Imam Ibn Abi Zayd al-Qayrawani

Abstract

This research addresses the topic of "The Letters of Meaning According to Imam Ibn Abi Zayd Al-Qayrawani: A Comparative Usul Study," which is a nuanced subject that combines the sciences of language and the principles of jurisprudence. The aim of the research is to uncover the meanings of the letters of meaning in the works of Imam Ibn Abi Zayd Al-Qayrawani and to demonstrate their impact on the formulation of legal rulings, through the study and analysis of his jurisprudential applications in light of the statements of the usul scholars.

The research adopted an inductive, analytical, and comparative approach, gathering the terms of the letters from the Imam's books, particularly: Al-Risalah, Al-Nawadir wa Al-Ziyadat, and Al-Jami' fi Al-Sunan, and then comparing them with what the usul scholars have established regarding the meanings of these letters.

The research concluded with several findings, the most important of which are: Imam Ibn Abi Zayd dealt with the letters as influential tools of deduction, and he employed them with precision that reflects a solid usuli awareness, even if he did not explicitly state a theoretical foundation. The research also emphasized the importance of studying the letters through practical jurisprudence rather than through mere theoretical contemplation.