Qawl, Fiʿl, Taqrīr, and Reported Qualities or States
The learner can distinguish qawl, fiʿl, taqrīr, and a reported state of the Prophet ﷺ in a short, clear example. Read the bilingual lesson for Qawl, Fiʿl, Taqrīr, and Reported Qualities or States and test your understanding with a focused quiz.
Lesson
1. Qawl
● Definition: Qawl is a reported saying or statement of the Prophet ﷺ. ● Example: ʿUmar reports this saying of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ: ‘إِنَّمَا الأَعْمَالُ بِالنِّيَّاتِ، وَإِنَّمَا لِكُلِّ امْرِئٍ مَا نَوَى’. ● Reason: The report transmits a saying of the Prophet ﷺ.
2. Fiʿl
● Definition: Fiʿl is a reported action of the Prophet ﷺ. ● Example: Ibn ʿUmar reports that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ used to raise his hands level with his shoulders when beginning the prayer. ● Reason: The report transmits an action of the Prophet ﷺ.
3. Taqrīr
● Definition: Taqrīr is the Prophet's ﷺ reported tacit approval of a saying or action known to him. ● Example: Khalid ate a food in the Prophet's ﷺ presence. The Prophet ﷺ did not forbid him and explained that it was not prohibited. ● Reason: The report conveys the Prophet's ﷺ approval of Khalid's action.
4. A Reported State of the Prophet ﷺ
Definition: A reported quality or state of the Prophet ﷺ is called ḥāl. Here the focus is a reported quality or state of the Prophet ﷺ rather than a saying or action.
5. The Four Forms Together
● Qawl reports the Prophet's ﷺ saying, ● fiʿl reports his action, ● taqrīr reports his tacit approval, ● and ḥāl reports a quality or state. ● All four concern reports transmitted about the Prophet ﷺ.
6. Not Every Person's Saying or Action Is Prophetic Hadith
An ordinary person's saying or action does not become Prophetic Hadith merely because it is a saying or action. Simple point: These forms of Prophetic Hadith concern reports attributed to the Prophet ﷺ.
Practice questions
Question 1
ʿUmar reports a saying of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ. Which form is this?
Question 2
The Prophet's ﷺ action of raising his hands when beginning the prayer is reported. Which form is this?
Question 3
The report also contains a saying of the Prophet ﷺ. Which form describes the specific feature of his approval of Khalid eating in his presence and not forbidding him?
Question 4
A report describes a quality or state of the Prophet ﷺ. Under which part of the definition does it fall?
Question 5
Every saying of an ordinary person is a qawl form of Prophetic Hadith.
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