What is the meaning of the juristic principle: "The general [term] from which a specific meaning is intended" with an illustrative example?
The meaning of "a general term intended to convey a specific meaning" is that the word, while originally a general term, is intended to convey a specific meaning. An example of this is a noun prefixed with "al" (the definite article) which denotes generality, such as "al-nas" (the people). In the verse, "Those to whom the people (al-nas) said, 'Indeed, the people (al-nas) have gathered against you,'" the second "al-nas" refers specifically to Quraish or Abu Sufyan. Another example is: "And the Jews say, 'Ezra is the son of Allah.'" The term is general, but the intended meaning is specific, because not all Jews said that. Similarly, in "Then the angels called out to him" and "He sends down the angels," it refers specifically to Jibreel (peace be upon him).
Summary from Ftawy's records · added here
Reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
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