15.2 Specification Of The ‘aamm
The ‘aamm expression may be divided into three main categories in relationship to the context of the verses in which they occur and the laws or principles which were intended.71
First, there is the ‘aamm expression which remains general. This category does not have many examples because most generalities are specified in one way or another. However, an example can be found in the verse,
“And Allaah knows all (kull) things,” 72
since Allaah’s knowledge is absolute. Another example can be found in the verse,
“Your mothers (ummahaatukum) have been made forbidden (in marriage) to you,” 73
as there are no exceptions to this law, whether they be real mothers, stepmothers, mothers-in-law, or mothers by ridaa‘ (suckling).
Second, there is the figurative ‘aam in which the general meaning of the expression was never intended; for example, the verse,
“Those to whom the people (an-naas) said, ‘The people have gathered against you, so fear them.’ ” 74
The first expression “the people” refers specifically to Nu‘aym ibn Mas‘ood and the second refers to Aboo Sufyaan and the Qurayshee army, and not the generality which the expression implies.75
And third, there is the specified ‘aam, wherein the generality of the ‘aam expression is qualified by one of the specifying words or phrases. For example, Allaah’s command in the Qur’aan,
“Hajj to the House (the Ka‘bah) is an obligation to Allaah on all people (an-naas) who are able to find a way there.” 76
The generality of “all people” is specified by the adjectival clause following it
71 See al-Itqaan, vol.3, pp. 44-5.
72 Soorah an-Nisaa’ (4):176.
73 Soorah an-Nisaa’ (4):23.
74 Soorah Aal ‘Imraan (3):173.
75 Al-Itqaan, vol. 3, p. 45.
76 Soorah Aal ‘Imraan (3):97.