The Reinterpretation of إنما البیع مثل الربا: A 3-Layer Analysis Based on Functional Linguistics

One of the propositions which has drawn the interpreters attention in identifying the concept of ÑÈÇ (=gavel) is ÅäøãÇ ÇáÈیÚõ ãËáõ ÇáÑøöÈÇ (Baqarah: 275). This proposition is the only one directly representing the position of ÑÈÇ in the economic context of the Saudi Arabia while the Holy Quran had appeared. Although the interpreters views around this proposition are different, they all, due to the similarity of ÈیÚ to ÑÈÇ –and not vice versa-agree that the word order has been oddly arranged in the proposition. In this study, which has been done via a descriptive-analytic method, it was attempted to reinterpret this proposition by the use of Hallidays functional model. Halliday has identified 3 inherent functions of language which are textual metafunction, ideational metafunction and interpersonal metafunction. Parallel to such metafunctions, he has determined 3 semantic layers. Focusing on the textual metafunction, it can be identified that ÈیÚ, when this proposition is produced, is a new and unknown phenomenon whereas ÑÈÇ is an old and unknown one in the economic context of Saudi Arabia. The ideational metafunction also shows that the producers of the proposition have enjoyed the relational process which has the function of definition as well as the identification of identity. It is crystal clear that a phenomenon is identified such as ÈیÚ when it is a new and unknown one. Focusing on the interpersonal metafunction, it can be determined that the producers of the proposition have expressed their doubt about the proposition by the use of ÇäãÇ. Hence, on the basis of Hallidays functional model, the quality of the word order should not be considered odd. However, it should be taken into consideration that such an order, when produced, is understandable as well as representative of the economic context of Saudi Arabia.