Modern Jurisprudence and Law

Modern Jurisprudence and Law

A Comparative Analysis of the Role of Contextual Indicators (Qara'in) in the Semantics of Words with an Emphasis on the Capacities of Artificial Intelligence

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
1 Al-Mustafa International University Gorgan Office
2 Assistant Professor, Department of Jurisprudence and Principles of Islamic Law, Al-Mustafa International University (Golestan Branch), Iran.
10.22034/jml.2026.2086131.1623
Abstract
A contextual indicator (qarīnah) refers to something uttered by the speaker to clarify their intention, or something employed to indicate that the literal meaning is not intended. Words in religious texts often carry multiple meanings and cannot independently convey the speaker's intent completely. Therefore, utilizing contextual indicators—both verbal and non-verbal—is essential for understanding literal, figurative, and homonymous meanings, as well as the implications of commands. This research aims to conduct a comparative analysis of the role and scope of contextual indicators in the semantics of words and the deduction of legal rulings from the perspective of the two major sects' jurisprudential scholars (Fariqayn), while also exploring the capacities of artificial intelligence in this field. The findings indicate that contextual indicators, as key tools in the science of legal theory (Uṣūl al-fiqh), play a fundamental role in achieving more accurate deductions of rulings and preventing misinterpretations. Notably, the modern capacities of artificial intelligence—including high speed and accuracy in word analysis, the potential to identify contextual indicators through processing vast amounts of textual data, and its complementary role in the process of jurisprudential deduction—are significant outcomes of this research. However, the study also reveals the cognitive limitations of artificial intelligence in distinguishing linguistic implications, particularly concerning non-verbal contextual indicators dependent on intellect and custom, thereby emphasizing the necessity of human oversight. Employing a descriptive-analytical method with a comparative approach, this research highlights the importance of contextual indicators in Uṣūl al-fiqh and opens new horizons for utilizing artificial intelligence capacities in the service of ijtihad and legal deduction.
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Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript
Available Online from 24 May 2026