Is number meaningless, and is this an Usuli or a linguistic rule, and what is the ruling on one who uses it as evidence to negate the meaning of all numbers mentioned in the Qur’an, such as “seven heavens, four birds, six days,” claiming that they do not have to be real?

The science of Usul al-Fiqh (principles of Islamic jurisprudence) includes linguistic discussions, some of which, such as the concept of mafhum (implied meaning), are debated as to whether their indication is linguistic or rational. The majority of scholars hold that the mafhum al-adad (implied meaning of number) is a valid proof, considering it a type of mafhum al-mukhalafah (contrary implication). The affirmation of its validity does not contradict texts that mention numbers for exaggeration or to draw attention to what is beyond them, as in "When water reaches two qullas," which indicates that what exceeds them is even more deserving. The intention here is the indication of the mafhum (implied meaning), not the mantuq (explicit meaning), for numbers explicitly indicate their counted objects as a reality.