In the last few editions, we discussed al-Mujmol. This edition, however, we are going to discuss its opposite, which al-Muboyyan.
Al- Mubayyan is whatever has only one particular meaning without any ambiguity. It is an evidence from which a particular meaning is understood whether literally or after it has been explained from its mujmal state. Al-bayan refers to the act of explaining or the evidence that explains a thing.
Types of AI-bayan
There are five types of Al-bayan in rulings. Some can be clearer than the other.
1. Bayan at-takeed: This is a dear statement that is not subject to any interpretation. Allaah says concerning the fasting of tamattu: "But such of you as cannot find an offering should fast three days during the Pilgrimage, and seven when you return home; these are ten complete ..... "
2. The statement that can only be understood by the scholars. For example the "wa" and the "ilaa" in the verse of ablution where Allaah, the Exalted, says: " .... wa arjulakum ilal kabayn .."
3. The texts of the Sunnah that explain the ambiguities in the Quran. For instance it is the Sunnah that explained the amount to be taken as zakat of the farm produce. The Prophet (salallahu alayhi wa sallam) said: "On a land irrigated by rain water or by natural water channels or if the land is wet due to a nearby water channel, Ushr (i.e. one-tenth) is compulsory (as Zakat); and on the land irrigated by the well, half of on Ushr (i.e. one-twentieth) is compulsory (as Zakat on the yield of the land)." (Bukhari)
4. The text of the Sunnah that initiates rulings whichare not in the Quran, neither in mujmal form nor in a Mubayyan form. The evidence that this is a form of bayan of the Quran is the statement of Allaah: "And whatsoever the Messenger gives you, take it, and whatsoever he forbids you, abstain from it. And fear Allah, surely, Allah is Severe in retribution." (Q59[Al-Hashr]: 7).
5. Bayan al-Irshaad: This is the analogy deduced from the Quran and the Sunnah such as words from which meanings are deduced and analogous conclusions were also drawn from them for some other things. For example other eatable items are included in the other four eatable items that were mentioned in the hadeeth of Ubadah ibn Samit (RA)who said: "I heard Allaahs Messenger (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) forbidding the sale of gold for gold, and silver for silver, wheat for wheat, barley for barley, dates for dates, and salt for salt, except like for like and equal for equal. So he who made an addition or who accepted an addition (committed the sin of taking) interest."
However, al-bayan may come in speech and this may be the speech of Allaah as in: "They said, Pray for us to your Lord that He make plain to us of what colour she is.He answered, God says, it is a cow of dun colour, pure and rich in tone, delighting the beholders.(Q2[Baqarah]:69). It may also be the speech of the Messenger of Allaah. Al-bayan can also come in action. The Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wasallam), said: "Pray as you have seen me pray". "Take your hajj rites from me" Al-bayan can also come in writing as in the paper with which the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) sent Amr ibn Hazm to the People of Yemen. This paper contained rulings on inheritance, blood money, and sunan. (Muwatta, Nasai).
Al-bayan may also come in gesture. The Messenger of Allaah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) struck his hand against the other and (then with the gesture of his two hands) said: "The month is thus, thus (two times). He then withdrew (one of) his fingers at the third turn." (Muslim).
Al-bayan may also come in form of approval. The Messenger of Allaah (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) saw a person praying after the congregational prayer at dawn was over. The Messenger of Allaah (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) said: "There are two rakahs of the dawn prayer (i.e. the prescribed rakahs)." The man replied: "I did not pray the two rakahs before the dawn prayer. Hence I offered them now." The Messenger of Allaah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) kept silent. (Abu Dawud)
This article was culled from the publications of Deen Communication Limited