A summary of the concepts held by the Ahl al-Sunnah.
The concept of ta'wil (interpretation) according to the jurists and legal theorists.
Some jurists and legal theorists have defined ta'wil as follows:
Ta'wil is the shifting of a term from its most probable meaning
to a less probable meaning, based on accompanying evidence.
In principle, there is no dispute over terminology
provided that a sound meaning is intended by it.
However, the objection to this specific definition
is directed solely at the two words "most probable" and "less probable."
For if the meaning described as "less probable"
is supported and strengthened by accompanying evidence,
then it is, in fact, the most probable meaning, not the less probable one,
and the other meaning becomes the less probable one.
Therefore, it is more appropriate to define ta'wil
according to the jurists and legal theorists as follows:
Ta'wil is the shifting of a term from its apparent meaning
to a hidden meaning, based on accompanying evidence.
In this case, there is no objection to the definition or the methodology of ta'wil
in fiqh when viewed from this perspective,
provided that the evidence accompanying the hidden meaning
is authentic and free from contradiction,
so as to justify shifting the term from its immediate, apparent meaning
to the hidden meaning.
A summary of the concepts held by the Ahl al-Sunnah.