Islamic Jurisprudence Funsamental Terminology Differences among Hanafi Scholars, An Inductive, Analytical Study

Abstract

This study aims to demonstrate the differences in terminology and their uses among Hanafi scholars, with particular focus on distinction between "reflection" (ta’amul), "contemplation" (fata'mal), and "let one contemplate" (falyat'amal). The inductive and analytical approach was used. The study consists of an introduction and four sections. Section one dealt with the fundamental differences and their types. Section two discussed the differences in terminology among Hanafi scholars regarding term explanations. Section three explored the differences in terminology among Hanafi scholars related to deduction and preponderance. Section four examined terminological differences among Hanafi scholars related to understanding the school of thought. The study revealed that Hanafi scholars showed deep interest in linguistic differences between terms and highlighted them, documenting many of these dissimilarities. Some of such differences were of Hanafi school origin, while others were common with other thought schools. The focus on linguistic differences helped clarify the ambiguity in texts, explanations, and footnotes in the school of thought streams, revealing their intended meanings. It was also concluded that some later Hanafi scholars attempted to compile the linguistic differences between terms, but none has comprehensively covered all of these differences.