The Root (Qashara) in Prophetic Traditions: A Linguistic Study

Abstract

This study examines the linguistic,morphological, and semantic aspects of the root (q-sh-r)as it appears in the Prophetic Hadith. The research problem lies in tracking the usage and evolution of this term within the context of Hadith literature and its commentaries. The study employs a descriptive-analytical method to deconstruct linguistic structures, alongside a historical method to trace semantic development through different eras. The study is divided into three main axes:

​Lexical and Morphological Level: This section provides the etymological roots of (q-sh-r), identifying it as a term denoting the removal of an outer covering, and analyzes its morphological derivatives, which reflect the word's flexibility and capacity to interact with various meanings.

​Hadith Context: The study explores the occurrence of this root within Prophetic Hadith and reports (Athar), providing scholarly verification. It examines examples such as the Hadith regarding "the peeler and the peeled" (al-qashirah wal-maqshurah) and the report concerning "the skin of the walnut" (qishr al-jawzah) to illustrate the application of the term in religious and jurisprudential contexts.

​Semantic Evolution: This section tracks the transition of the term from its concrete, physical meaning (during the Prophetic era) to specific jurisprudential terminology (such as the categorization of fish scales), and finally to abstract metaphorical usage (where "husks/peels" are contrasted with the "core/essence" to denote superficiality).

​The study concludes that the root (q-sh-r) serves as a vivid example of the Arabic language's ability to adapt physical terms to construct abstract conceptual frameworks. It recommends the consistent application of the historical method when studying Hadith terminology to ensure accuracy of interpretation and to safeguard the sacred texts from superficial readings.