What does Al-astqraʾ mean?

Islam > Glossary > Al-astqraʾ

Discover the meaning of the term Al-astqraʾ (استقراء) in Islamic vocabulary.

Definition Al-astqraʾ

Al-astqraʾ according to Kitab at-Ta'rifat (Al-Jurjani)

It is passing judgment on a universal for its existence in most of its particulars; and it was said: in most of its particulars, because were the judgment about all its particulars it would not be istiqra', but divided syllogism; it is called istiqra' because its premises are obtained only by tracking the particulars, as when we say: every animal moves its lower jaw in chewing; because man, beasts and wild beasts do so; it is an incomplete istiqra' yielding no certainty, because of the possibility of an unexamined particular, and its judgment may be contradicted by the examined one, as the crocodile: it moves its upper jaw in chewing.

Al-astqraʾ according to Mufradat (Ar-Raghib)

It is the tracking of a thing's particulars.

Al-astqraʾ according to Dustur al-'Ulama (Al-Ahmadnagari)

In language: examination and tracking. In the logicians' usage: the argument by which one concludes, from examining the judgment of particulars, to the judgment of their universal; if the conclusion in it goes from examining the judgment of all the particulars, the istiqra' is complete, else incomplete; and the naming of the said argument istiqra' is not by way of improvisation, that is, without regard to fit, but by way of transfer and regard to fit, as is known.

Al-astqraʾ according to Mu'jam al-Mustalahat al-Fiqhiyya

In language: tracking; one says qara'a the matter, and iqqara'-ha: that is, to follow it; and istaqra'tu the things: I tracked their individuals to know their states and properties. Technically, in the Ta'rifat: it is passing judgment on a universal for its existence in most of its particulars; and it was said in most of its particulars because, were the judgment about all its particulars, it would not be istiqra', for its premises are obtained only by tracking the particulars, as when we say: every animal moves its lower jaw in chewing, because man, beasts and wild beasts do so; it is an incomplete istiqra' yielding no certainty, because of the possibility of an unexamined particular.

Al-astqraʾ according to Maqalid al-'Ulum (As-Suyuti)

Judgment on a universal for its existence in most of its particulars.

Al-astqraʾ according to At-Tawqif (Al-Munawi)

Judgment on a universal for its existence in most of its particulars; were it on all, it would not be istiqra' but divided syllogism; this istiqra' is called incomplete, for its premises are obtained only by tracking the particulars, as: every animal moves its lower jaw in chewing; it is thus incomplete, without certainty, because of the possibility of an unexamined particular, and its judgment may be contradicted by the examined one, as the crocodile.

Al-astqraʾ according to At-Ta'rifat al-Fiqhiyya (Al-Barkati)

It is passing judgment on a universal for its existence in most of its particulars.

Related terms: Al-astqraʾ