The Position of Ta’wīl in Usūl al-Fiqh and Its Relation with Foundations of Text Interpretation

Abstract

Ta’wīl, i.e. passing from the exoteric meaning of the word to the esoteric meaning, is a method of understanding the text. Since this method seems to be effective for understanding jurisprudential narrative proofs, and on the other hand, there are popular rules in the words of the science of usūl al-fiqh, such as the Appearance Principle, which prevent the interpretive (ta’wīl) approach, it is necessary to evaluate the status of ta’wīl in usūl al-fiqh, as well as, its relation with the Appearance Principle and its difference with interpretation (tafsīr). The main purpose of this research is to recognize the roots of ta’wīl in usūl al-fiqh. The worthy efforts of some of usūlīs in this regard are commendable, although such efforts have been neglected. Based on the descriptive-analytical method, this article tries to identify and introduce them. The most important findings are as follows: the necessity of not being satisfied with the inherent relationship between word and meaning, the necessity of establishing the absolute will of the speaker, the public plural, the necessity of adapting the rules used from the text to the inherent good and bad, synchronizing with the holy legislator intentions, distinguishing between direct and indirect audience, the possibility of departing from the implication of appearance in the assumption of corroboration, and the superiority of conventional meaning over literal meaning. These findings show the interpretive (ta’wīl) capacity of words in usūl al-fiqh to the extent of classical hermeneutics, which attaches ta’wīl to the text, the history of the text, and the intention of the author.

Keywords

• usūl al-fiqh
• text understanding
• ta’wīl
• text interpretation.