Literal and Figurative Meaning and Their Applications in Usul al-Fiqh and Jurisprudence in Imdad al-Fattah by al-Shurunbulali (d. 1069 AH): An Analytical Study

Abstract

This study examines the subject of “Literal and Figurative Meaning and Their Applications in Usul al-Fiqh and Jurisprudence in Imdad al-Fattah by al-Shurunbulali: An Analytical Study.” The topic constitutes one of the significant and profound areas of usul al-fiqh concerned with the interpretation of Islamic legal texts and the mechanisms through which legal rulings are derived. Determining whether an expression is to be understood according to its literal (haqiqah) or figurative (majaz) meaning represents a fundamental principle in identifying the intent of the Lawgiver and, consequently, in determining the appropriate juridical ruling. The significance of this study is further demonstrated through its selection of Imdad al-Fattah Sharh Nur al-Idah wa Najat al-Arwah as its principal field of application, since the work contains a wealth of detailed jurisprudential discussions in which the effects of linguistic indications and semantic interpretation are clearly manifested.

The research problem centers on identifying and examining the instances in which literal and figurative meanings are employed, clarifying al-Shurunbulali’s methodological approach in giving preference to one of these two semantic possibilities, and analyzing the consequences of such preference for issues pertaining to both usul al-fiqh and substantive jurisprudence (fiqh).

The study adopts an inductive method to identify and trace the relevant practical examples throughout the book and an analytical method to investigate their dimensions and their effects on legal rulings. A comparative method is also employed, where necessary, to clarify points of agreement and disagreement among jurists.

In constructing the study’s scholarly framework, the researcher relies primarily on Imdad al-Fattah as the principal source, while also consulting authoritative works on usul al-fiqh, Hanafi jurisprudence, and related disciplines in order to establish the theoretical foundations of the discussion and document its practical applications.

The study reaches a number of conclusions, the most significant of which is that literal and figurative meanings exert a substantial influence on al-Shurunbulali’s formulation and interpretation of juridical rulings. It also demonstrates his careful observance of the principles of usul al-fiqh in determining the intended signification of legal expressions. Furthermore, the study reveals a close integration between theoretical principles of Islamic legal methodology and their practical jurisprudential application in al-Shurunbulali’s treatment of legal questions.

The scholarly contribution of this research lies in identifying, compiling, and analyzing the applications of literal and figurative meaning found in Imdad al-Fattah and relating them to their broader governing principles. In doing so, the study contributes to clarifying the methodological features of al-Shurunbulali’s approach to linguistic and semantic indications and enriches the field of applied studies in usul al-fiqh.