Establishing Rational Verbal Principles (Uṣūl‑i Lafẓīyah‑yi ʿAqlī) for Deriving Supra‑Conventional Meanings, Relying on the Transcendent Theosophy’s (Ḥikmat‑i Mutaʿāliyah) Formulation of the “Spirit of Meaning” (Rūḥ‑i Maʿnā)

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Ph.D. Student in Islamic Philosophy and Theology (Kalām), Razavi University of Islamic Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.

2 Associate Professor, Department of Islamic Philosophy and Kalam, Razavi University of Islamic Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.

3 Associate Professor, Department of Jurisprudence and Principles of Islamic Law, Razavi University of Islamic Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.

Abstract

Correct derivation (istinbāṭ) from Qurʾānic verses and ḥadīth traditions has long been influenced by the method of “verbal principles” (uṣūl‑i lafẓīyah). However, these principles are grounded in conventional understanding (fahm‑i ʿurf) and are therefore limited to deriving conventional meanings. This article asks: In deriving concepts beyond the conventional limit, can one, relying on rational analysis and a specific formulation of the “spirit of meaning” (rūḥ‑i maʿnā), arrive at a correct method? Employing a descriptive‑analytical method, it examines the verbal principles, explaining the criterion of authority (mullāk‑i ḥujīyat) and the cases of reference to them, and argues that due to their reliance on conventional understanding, they are applicable only to meanings perceptible by convention (ʿurf). Subsequently, the consequence of referring to these principles in verses expressing sublime themes—such as “the Hand of God” (yad Allāh) and “God's descent among the clouds”—is examined. While explaining the absurd consequences (tawālī‑i fāsid) of such reference, it is demonstrated that verbal principles cannot be relied upon for deriving sublime, supra‑conventional (farāʿurfī) meanings. Finally, relying on the formulation of the “spirit of meaning” by the great masters of Transcendent Theosophy (Ḥikmat‑i Mutaʿāliyah), the article establishes rational verbal principles (uṣūl‑i lafẓīyah‑yi ʿaqlī) for deriving sublime themes from verses and traditions.

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Theology Journal
Volume 12, Issue 23 - Serial Number 23
January 2026
Pages 179-203

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