LessonsIstiʿārah: Definition, Figurative Identification and the Linguistic–Intellectual DebateQuiz

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The majority hold that metaphor is linguistic majāz.

“Asad” is conventionally assigned to the predatory lion, whereas “I saw a lion shooting” intends a brave human. The two referents differ, and shooting arrows excludes the actual animal. The lexical account therefore treats the word as used outside its primary assigned domain.

Compare the general word “animal”: it can literally apply to a lion and a human within its general meaning. Selecting a specific member of an already assigned general category does not by itself constitute metaphor. Transfer outside a word's assigned sense is the issue.

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The majority view: a change in lexical application

Istiʿārah: Definition, Figurative Identification and the Linguistic–Intellectual Debate

فالجمهور على أنها مجاز لغوي
The majority hold that metaphor is linguistic majāz.

“Asad” is conventionally assigned to the predatory lion, whereas “I saw a lion shooting” intends a brave human. The two referents differ, and shooting arrows excludes the actual animal. The lexical account therefore treats the word as used outside its primary assigned domain.

Compare the general word “animal”: it can literally apply to a lion and a human within its general meaning. Selecting a specific member of an already assigned general category does not by itself constitute metaphor. Transfer outside a word's assigned sense is the issue.