Imam Al-Ramli's Usuli Preferences on “the General” ('Aam): A Comparative Analytical Study of Four Semantic and Rhetorical Issues

This study explores the legal-theoretical preferences (tarjīḥāt) of Imam Shams al-Dīn al-Ramlī (d. 1004 AH) regarding al-ʿāmm (general expressions) in uṣūl al-fiqh (principles of Islamic jurisprudence). It presents a comparative analytical examination of four nuanced issues with semantic and rhetorical significance: the scope of general terms when applied to dual literal meanings or to both literal and metaphorical meanings, the minimum number constituting a plural, the legal status of collective nouns introduced by the definite article al, and the rhetorical function of general expressions, especially when paired with specifics or used in praise. The study synthesizes al-Ramlī’s scattered opinions, clarifies points of scholarly disagreement, and situates his views within the broader Shāfiʿī tradition and contrasting schools. Through textual analysis and evaluation of supporting arguments, it reveals a balanced methodological approach that avoids both excessive restriction and overgeneralization. The research addresses a scholarly gap concerning al-Ramlī’s uṣūlī thought and highlights the role of semantics and rhetoric in shaping legal interpretation and application.