The Polysemy of the Preposition (Ba) in the Hadiths of the Book (Man La yahduruhu AL- Faqih) by AL-Shaykh AL- Saduq (D381 AH)

Abstract

This study came to confirm the importance of examining the phenomenon of polysemy (multiple meanings) of grammatical particles in Hadith texts, as seen in the narrations of the book Man Lā Yaḥḍuruhu al-Faqīh  ("He Who Has No Jurist Present"), which are characterized by precision of formulation and depth of signification. The study established that the particle (al-bā') was not a fixed element in its denotation, but rather was characterized by flexibility and expansiveness, as its meanings multiplied according to the multiplicity of contexts and discursive situations, while maintaining its core meanings. The study also demonstrated the distinction between the fixed grammatical function of the particle in constructing its syntactic structure, and the functional meaning which expands its significations to other meanings through the multiplicity of situations, contexts, and rhetorical purposes. It further revealed the essential role that the meaning of (al-bā') plays in guiding legal rulings and contributing to the process of deriving jurisprudential judgments. The study also concluded that the occurrence of a particle as "redundant" (zā'id) does not imply its emptying of signification; rather, such redundancy serves to reinforce and emphasize the utterance. Based on the foregoing, this study affirms that the phenomenon of polysemy of the particle (al-bā') in the Hadiths of  Man Lā Yaḥḍuruhu al-Faqīh  has contributed, through its scholarly additions, to the understanding of Hadith texts, and has revealed the precision of expression in the style of the noble narrations, which constitutes a rich field for linguistic studies in the area of polysemy of grammatical particles. This, in turn, confirms the capacity of linguistic scholarship to engage with classical Hadith texts and to analyze their contents with sound and rigorous analytical methods.