Grid 2: Componential Analysis of the Field of “Killing”

The concept/perception is infolded in the Root. The meanings of the word are determined by the concept of the Root plus the pattern of the word on which it is built that adds meanings/connotations and also adds relations when placed in a particular context with relation to other words/events. The basic concept of the Root will always remain present in a dominating state.

"Qatl" denotes and signifies act. An act has an intent and objective. And the act creates a state different to the one that existed before the act taking place. Moreover, the act when done is an ongoing activity over a period of time even if it is within a wink of an eye-but there is a beginning and an end.

The object and purpose of the act "Qatl" is to distance away the object of verb away from others, the society, people. Ill reputing a person is the first use of "Qatl" since the object is to distance away the people from his influence. The end is murder where one is physically and bodily removed away from the people.

Here he used the word’ kaadhibeen’. In the science of balaghah we learn that this descriptive word-or sifah implies an established state of the person who is described with this quality. Allah spoke about the Jews and how they disbelieved in some of the prophets and some they even killed. This was mentioned in the past tense in surah al baqarah. However when we look at the ayah we see a special rule of balaghah that gives us more meaning that what is found in the English translation. Allah said about them, “fa fareeqan kadh’dhabtum wa fareeqan taq’tuluun.” “So a group of them you denied and a group of them you killed.” Allah spoke about them saying that they denied a group of the prophets. He used the past tense verb kadh’dhabtum. However we find in the end of the ayah he said that some of them they killed by using the PRESENT TENSE verb ‘taq’tuluun’. In the science of balaghah we learn that if a present tense verb is used in a past tense context it then signifies what is called ‘istimraar’ or continuance. Therefore the meaning of this ayah in the context of balaghah is that the jews used to deny and kill the prophets and that they will continue to kill-in this case killing the followers of the prophets way and true path. This is mentioned in tafseer of al aluusee and in tafseer ibn sa’uud.