Mantiq Al Jillani

Definition of Mantiq

a canonical tool by which the mind is protected from making mistakes whilst contemplating [fikr].

Purpose of Mantiq

to protect the mind from making mistakes whilst contemplating.

ORIGINATOR OF MANTIQ

-Hakim Aristu' (Aristotle) was the first to formulate the science of mantig upon the request of Sikandar DhulQarnayn’ (Alexander the Great) . He is known as al-mu‘allim al-awwal [the first teacher].

-Later, a man named Aba Nasr Farabi (Alpharabius) developed this science and explained it. By doing this he earned the title al-mu‘allim al-thani [the second teacher].

-After the works of Aba Nasr Farabi were burnt, Ibn Sina‘ (Avicenna) re-wrote them and by doing so earned the title al-mu‘allim al-thalith [the third teacher].

Definition of Ilm (Knowledge)

The obtaining of an image in the mind.

• Therefore, when someone says “I have gained knowledge of so-and-so” it means they have gained an image of that in their mind according to the manatiqah.

Definition of Hukm (Judgement)

the affirmation of a thing for another or the negation of a thing from another.

2 Types of ‘Ilm

1. Tasawwur

2. Tasdiq

What is Tasawwur (Apprehension)?

that knowledge which is empty of a hukm, e.g. The name Zayd, Cat (just the idea of it)

• knowing something without giving any judgement about it.

  It’s just the idea of a thing.
  A mental picture.
  A concept.
  No “is,” no “is not,” no “true,” no “false.”

What is Tasdiq (Affirmation)?

that knowledge which contains a hukm, eg. Zayd is standing

• knowing something with a judgement.

  A statement.
  A claim.
  Something that can be true or false.

  It ALWAYS contains a hukm (affirmation or negation).

• Simple examples:

  • ✔ “Zayd is standing.”

    This is a judgement.
    It can be true or false.

  • ✔ “The cat is sleeping.” Not just “cat” — now you’re saying something about the cat.

  • ✔ “A triangle has 3 sides.” This is a statement you can verify.

Simple Distinction Between Tasawwur and Tasdiq

Tasawwur is JUST an idea, while Tasdiq is a claim. It can be true or false

What are the 2 Types of Tasawwur?

1. Tasawwur Badihi (Simple Apprehension)

2. Tasawwur Nazari (Cognitive Apprehension)

What is Tasawwur Badihi?

That Tasawwur which does NOT require contemplation (Nazar/Fikr) in order to comprehend it

• a concept your mind understands instantly, without needing any thinking or explanation.

  It’s automatic.
  It’s obvious.
  It’s the kind of knowledge you don’t “figure out” — you just know.

Simple Examples of Tasawwur Badihi

✔ “Sky”

You don’t need a teacher to explain what “sky” means.

✔ “Water”

You don’t need a definition. You already know the concept.

✔ “Cat”

You don’t need to think. The idea pops into your mind immediately.

These are tasawwur (concepts) that are badīhī (self‑evident).

Full House Style Analogy Tasawwur Badihi

when you see Uncle Jesse and instantly know it’s Uncle Jesse.

No thinking.
No explanation.
No analysis.
Your brain just goes: “That’s him.”

What is Tasawwur Nazari?

That Tasawwur which requires contemplation in order to comprehend it.

• a concept you cannot understand instantly — you need explanation, teaching, or thinking.

Simple Examples of Tasawwur Nazari

✔ Jinn

You don’t automatically know what a jinn is.
You only know because the Qur’an and teachers explained it.

✔ Angels (Malā’ikah)

You don’t instantly know their nature, duties, or existence.
You need revelation to understand the concept.

✔ Yaum al‑Qiyāmah

YES — this is Tasawwur Nazari.
You don’t automatically know:

• resurrection

• the scale

• the bridge

• the gathering

• the blowing of the trumpet

These are learned concepts.

✔ Barzakh

You don’t “just know” what Barzakh is.
It requires explanation.

✔ Arsh (Throne of Allah)

You only know this concept because revelation taught it.

✔ Kursī

Same — learned, not automatic.

Tasawwur Nazari Analogy

Tasawwur Nazari = “gravity.”

You don’t automatically know what gravity is.
You feel it, but you don’t understand the concept until someone explains:

• what it means

• how it works

• why things fall

• what the force is

Your brain cannot reach the concept of “gravity” on its own.
It needs teaching.

That’s Nazari.

What are the 2 types of Tasdiq?

1. Tasdiq Badihi

2. Tasdiq Nazari

What is Tasdiq Badihi (Simple Affirmation)

That Tasdiq which does NOT require contemplation in order to comprehend it.

• A judgement (statement) that your mind accepts instantly, without needing proof or thinking.

  It’s self‑evident.
  Your brain hears it and goes:
  “Yeah, obviously.”

Simple Examples of Tasdiq Badihi

✔ “The whole is greater than the part.”

You don’t need a teacher to prove this.

✔ “One is less than two.”

Instantly obvious.

✔ “Fire burns.”

You don’t need a philosophical argument.

✔ “A thing cannot be in two places at once.”

Self‑evident.

Tasdiq Badihi Analogy + Full House Styled

when someone says “the sun gives light,” and your brain doesn’t need a debate.

You don’t:

• analyze

• research

• think deeply

Your mind just accepts it.

It’s obvious.

“Danny loves cleaning.”

Instantly accepted.
Self‑evident.
No one in the house is like,
“Hmm… let me think about that.”

It’s obvious.

What is Tasdiq Nazari?

That Tasdiq which requires contemplation in order to comprehend it

• a judgement (statement) that your mind CANNOT accept instantly — you need proof, reasoning, or explanation.

  It’s the opposite of Badīhī.

  Your brain hears it and goes:

  “Hmm… wait… how do we know that?”

  It requires nazar (thinking).

Simple Examples of Tasdiq Nazari

✔ “The world has a creator.”

You don’t accept this instantly — you need reasoning or revelation.

✔ “The soul is immaterial.”

You need arguments to understand this.

✔ “The earth is round.”

Not obvious at first glance — requires evidence.

✔ “Fire rises because heat expands air.”

Needs explanation.

Tasdiq Nazari Analogy

When you hear someone say, “The universe is expanding.”

You don’t accept this without explanation.
You need:

• evidence

• reasoning

• teaching

That’s Nazari.

Definition of Nazar/ Fikr (Contemplation)

To arrange known matters, (whether Tasawwur or Tasdiq) in a manner which leads to knowledge of the unknown.

• the mind’s deliberate movement from one known thing to another in order to reach a new judgement.

  In simple words:

  It’s when your brain thinks step‑by‑step to figure something out.

  It’s not guessing.
  It’s not instinct.
  It’s not something obvious.

  It’s intentional reasoning.

• Breakdown (so your brain actually absorbs it)

  Nazar happens when:

  • you don’t accept a statement instantly

  • you need to analyze

  • you need to connect ideas

  • you need to reach a conclusion

  It’s the mental process behind Tasdiq Nazari.

Simple Examples of Nazar/Fikr

✔ “The world has a creator.”

You think:

• The world is created

• Created things need a creator

• Therefore…

This is nazar.

✔ “The soul is immaterial.”

You reason through:

• It has no physical dimensions

• It isn’t divisible

• Therefore…

This is nazar.

✔ “Angels exist.”

You think through:

• Revelation says so

• Revelation is true

• Therefore…

This is nazar.

What Nazar/Fikr is NOT

It is not:

• instinct

• immediate acceptance

• self‑evident truths

• “duh” statements

Those belong to Badīhī, not Nazar.

What is Mu’arrif?

A statement made of arranged tasawwur that defines a term.

Example:

“Angel: a subtle, luminous being created from light.”
→ This definition uses concepts to clarify another concept.

What is Qawl Shaarih?

Another name for Muʿarrif — an explanatory statement that defines something.

Example:

“Human: a rational animal.”
→ This is a ______ because it explains the meaning of “human.”

What is Daleel?

A statement made of arranged tasdiq that proves another judgement.

Example:

“Revelation is true. Revelation tells us angels exist. Therefore, angels exist.”
→ This is a _____ because it uses judgements to support a conclusion.

What is Hujjah?

Another name for Dalīl — an argument or evidence used to prove something.

Example:

“Every created thing has a creator. The universe is created. Therefore, the universe has a creator.”
→ This is a ______ because it’s a structured proof.

Definition of Dalaalah

a thing to be in such a manner that if knowledge of it is obtained, then knowledge of a second thing is necessary.

• the relationship between a word and the meaning it gives you.

  In other words:

  When a word points to a meaning → that pointing is called THIS.

  It’s basically:
  “How does this word make your mind think of that meaning?”

Simple Examples of Dalaalah

When you hear the word “fire”, your mind immediately thinks of:

• heat

• burning

• flame

That connection between the word and the meaning = Dalālah.

When someone says “angel”, your mind goes to:

• a being created from light

• obeys Allah

• unseen

The word → meaning relationship = Dalālah.

What is Dal (signifier)?

-the sign or indicator — the thing that points to a meaning.

In other words:

It’s the word, sound, gesture, or symbol doing the pointing.

Example:

The word “fire” is the Dal.

What is Madlul (Signified)?

the meaning that the sign points to.

In other words:

It’s the concept your mind understands from the Dal.

Example:

The idea of heat, flame, burning = the Madlūl.

Ultra‑Simple Summary of Dal and Madlul

Dal	The sign/word	“Fire”
Madlūl	The meaning	Heat, flame, burning

Definition of Wad’

the specification [Takhsees] of one thing to another in such a way that when knowledge of the first is obtained, knowledge of the second is necessarily obtained e.g. Zayd naming his son ‘Amr.

• IN SIMPLE TERMS: choosing a word for something in such a way that whenever you hear the word, you automatically know what it refers to.

• the act of assigning a word to a meaning for the first time.

  In other words:

  It’s when someone decides:
  “This sound/word will point to that meaning.”

  It’s the origin of the Dal → Madlūl relationship.

• Ex: When English speakers decided:

  • the sound “book”

  • will mean a written collection of pages

  That assignment = Wad‘

What is Mawdu’?

The word/sound that was assigned during Wad‘.
It’s the actual term that does the pointing.

In other words:

The name. The sign. The Dal.

Example:

-The word “lion” is the ____

-Zayd chooses the word “ʿAmr” as his son’s name.

So here:

____ = the word “ʿAmr.”

What is Mawdu’ Lahu?

The meaning that the word was assigned to during Wad‘.
It’s the concept the word points to.

In other words:

The thing being named. The Madlūl.

Example:

-The idea of a lion (the animal) is the ______ ____

-The word “ʿAmr” was assigned to Zayd’s son.

So here:

___THIS___ ____= Zayd’s son (the person)

Explanation of Mawdu’ and Mawdu’ Lahu using the Zayd and Amr Example

“Zayd is naming his son ‘Amr.”

• Zayd has specified the word “Amr” with his son in such a way that when the word “‘Amr” is said (ie. knowledge of it is obtained), it refers to his son (ie. knowledge of him is necessary),

2 Types of Dalaalah

1. Dalaalah Lafziyyah

2. Dalaalah Ghayr Lafziyyah

What is Dalaalah Lafziyyah (Verbal Signification)?

That dalaalah in which the dal is a word

• Meaning understood because of the word itself.

  The word → directly gives you the meaning.

  Example:

  The word “lion” makes you think of the animal.
  → The word is doing the work.

What is Dalaalah Ghayr Lafziyyah (Non-Verbal Signification)?

That dalaalah in which the dal is not a word e.g. the dalalah of smoke upon a fire

• Meaning understood not from the word, but from something else.

• Example:

  Seeing smoke makes you think of fire.
  → Your mind is doing the work, not a word.

3 types of Dalaalah Lafziyyah

1. Dalaalah Lafziyyah Wad’iyyah

2. Dalaalah Lafziyyah ‘Aqliyyah

3. Dalaalah Lafziyah Tab’iyyah

3 Types of Dalaalah Ghayr Lafziyyah

1. Dalaalah Ghayr Lafziyyah Wad’iyyah

2. Dalaalah Ghayr Lafziyyah ‘Aqliyyah

3. Dalaalah Ghayr Lafziyah Tab’iyyah

What is Dalaalah Lafziyyah Wad’iyyah?

VERBAL FORMULATIVE SIGNIFICATION

= that dalalah in which the dal is a word and the cause is wad’'

e.g. the dalalah of the word Zayd is upon the entity of Zayd.”

= When a spoken word indicates a meaning because it was assigned that meaning through Wad‘.

In other words:
A word points to its meaning BECAUSE humans originally “named” it that way.

a word indicating its meaning because that’s what it was assigned to mean.

Examples of Dalaalah Lafziyyah Wad’iyyah

=The word “lion” indicates the animal lion.

Why?
Because early speakers assigned that sound to that meaning.

=The Arabic word “كتاب” indicates “book.”

Not because of logic.
Not because of resemblance.
Not because of context.

But because humans decided that “kitaab” = book.

What is Dalaalah Lafziyyah ‘Aqliyyah?

VERBAL RATIONAL SIGNIFICATION

= that dalalah in which the dal is a word and the cause is the ‘Aql [reasoning]

=When a word indicates a meaning through the mind’s reasoning, not because of language assignment.

In other words:
The word makes you think of something logically connected, not because the word means it.

Examples of Dalaalah Lafziyyah ‘Aqliyyah

=When you hear the word “creation”, your mind thinks of “creator.”

Why?
Not because the word means creator.
But because your mind logically connects the two.

=Hearing “fire” makes you think of heat.

Not because “fire” means heat.
But because your mind knows fire → heat.

What is Dalaalah Lafziyyah Tab’iyyah?

VERBAL NATURAL SIGNIFICATION

= that dalaalah in which the dal is a word and the cause is the Tab’iah [nature]

ex. the dalalah of “Uh,Uh" upon coughing

When a sound (a lafẓ) indicates a meaning because of a natural reaction in the listener — not because of language assignment and not because of logic.

In other words:
The sound itself naturally makes you think/feel something.

Simple Examples of Dalaalah Lafziyyah Tab’iyyah

✔ A scream

You instantly think: danger, fear, pain.
Not because the scream means danger — but because humans naturally react that way.

✔ A baby crying

You think: the baby needs something.
Not because “waaah” is a word — it’s a natural signal.

✔ Groaning

You think: someone is hurt or tired.

These are all non‑linguistic sounds that carry meaning naturally.

What is Dalaalah Ghayr Lafziyyah Wad’iyyah?

NON-VERBAL FORMULATIVE SIGNIFICATION

=that dalaalah in which the dal is not a word and the cause is wad’

= A non‑verbal sign that indicates a meaning because people agreed (Wad‘) that it would represent that meaning.

So it’s NOT a word.
But it’s STILL assigned by convention.

It’s like:

• a traffic light

• a thumbs‑up

• a hand gesture

• a symbol

• a flag

• a logo

These are NOT words.
But they have meanings because humans agreed they mean something.

Simple Examples of Dalaalah Ghayr Lafziyyah Wad’iyyah

✔ A red traffic light

Means “stop.”
Not because of logic.
Not because of nature.
But because society assigned that meaning.

✔ A green check mark

Means “correct.”

✔ A skull symbol

Means “danger/poison.”

These are all non‑verbal but conventional signs.

What is Dalaalah Ghayr Lafziyyah ‘Aqliyyah?

NON-VERBAL RATIONAL SIGNIFICATION

=that dalalah in which the dal is not a word and the cause is the ‘aql

e.g. the dalalah of smoke upon a fire

=A non‑verbal sign that indicates a meaning through logical reasoning (‘aql).

Meaning:
Your mind connects the sign to the meaning because of logic, not because of language or nature.

• It’s when you see something and your brain logically infers something else.

  No words.
  No sounds.
  Just reasoning.

Simple Examples of Dalaalah Ghayr Lafziyyah ‘Aqliyyah

✔ Seeing smoke → thinking “there is fire.”

Not because smoke means fire.
Not because it’s natural instinct.
But because your mind reasons: smoke comes from fire.

✔ Seeing footprints → thinking “someone walked here.”

Logical inference.

What is Dalaalah Ghayr Lafziyyah Tab’iyyah

=that dalalah in which the dal is not a word and the cause is the Tabi’ah

e.g. the dalalah of the redness of the face upon guilt.

=A non‑verbal sign that indicates meaning through natural, instinctive human reaction.

Meaning:
The sign naturally makes you think/feel something — no language, no logic.

• It’s when something in nature automatically signals a meaning.

  Your brain reacts without thinking.

Simple Examples of Dalaalah Ghayr Lafziyyah Tab’iyyah

✔ A person’s face turning red → meaning “they’re embarrassed or angry.”

Natural reaction.

✔ Tears → meaning “they’re sad.”

Not because tears mean sadness — it’s instinctive.

✔ Shivering → meaning “they’re cold.”

Natural sign.

3 types of Dalaalah Lafziyyah Wad’iyyah

• Dalaalah Mutaabaqee

• Dalaalah Taḍammunee

• Dalaalah Iltizaamee

What Is Dalaalah Mutaabaqee?

COINCIDENTAL SIGNIFICATION

That Dalaalah of a word upon the total meaning for which it was formulated (Mawdu Lahu)

Ex: The Dalaalah of the word Insaan upon Haywaan and Naatiq

=When a word signifies the entire meaning it was assigned to — the full concept, with nothing missing.

The word and the complete meaning coincide perfectly.

Examples of Dalaalah Mutaabaqee

✔ The word “triangle”

When you say “triangle,” you mean the entire concept:

• a 3‑sided shape

• 3 angles

• the full geometric definition

You’re not referring to just one side, or one angle — you’re referring to the whole thing.

That’s why this is _____:
the word and the full meaning coincide.

What is Dalaalah Tadamunnee?

PARTIAL SIGNIFICATION

=That dalaalah of a word upon a part of the meaning for which it was formulated

Ex: The Dalaalah of the word Insaan on EITHER Hayawaan OR Natiq

=When a word signifies part of the meaning it was originally assigned to — a component inside the full concept.

Example of Dalaalah Tadammunee

✔ The word “car”

The full meaning of “car” includes:

• engine

• wheels

• seats

• frame

• steering system

If you use the word “car” intending only:

• the engine,

• or the wheels,

• or the steering wheel,

then that is ______— because you’re referring to a part of the full meaning.

What is Dalaalah Iltizaamee?

ASSOCIATIVE SIGNIFICATION

that dalalah of a word upon a meaning which it was not formulated for. However, it is associated to the formulated meaning in the sense that when the formulated meaning is comprehended, this is also comprehended

=When a word signifies something outside its original meaning, but that thing is logically connected and necessary for the meaning to exist.

So unlike:

• Mutābaqī → whole meaning

• Taḍammunī → part of the meaning

Iltizāmī is:
➡ NOT part of the meaning
➡ NOT inside the definition
➡ but your mind must connect it because it’s a necessary implication.

Example of Dalaalah Iltizaamee

The word “roof” implies:

• a wall

• a building

• supporting structure

These things are not part of the definition of “roof,”
but your mind must assume them — a roof cannot exist floating in the air.

So this is Iltizāmī.

Another Example: the dalalah of the word shams [sun] upon its light

Explanation of Shams and Light example

The definition of shams is:

• a celestial body

• a star

• that emits heat and light

BUT the light itself is not part of the definition of the word “sun.”

The word “sun” does not mean “light.”
It means the object that produces light.

So “light” is not Mutābaqī (full meaning).
And it’s not Taḍammunī (part of the meaning).

So why does “sun” make you think of “light”?

Because your mind necessarily connects the two.

A sun cannot exist without emitting light.
Light is a logical consequence of the sun.

So when you hear “shams,” your mind automatically thinks:

“Oh — that means there is light.”

This is exactly the definition of Iltizāmī:

✔ Something outside the meaning✔ But logically necessary for it

CLEAN EXPLANATION':

The word “shams” does not mean light, but light is a necessary consequence of the sun. So the indication of “light” from the word “shams” is Dalālah Iltizāmī.