The Meaning of the Authority of Amaraat (Signs) according to Three Learned Scholars

This article studies the authoritativeness in respect of the signs ( amaraat ) on the basis of tanzil (lit. substitution), tanjis
(validation), tazir (presenting an excuse) and taqsim-e kashf (exploratory division) demonstrating the effects and implications of each one of these bases for the readers as well as explaining the position of Shaykh Ansari who believes that an amarah (sign) is nothing but a way leading to the reality or a mirror reflecting the truth of the matter and that it ( amarah ) should be treated as knowledge. On the contrary, late Akhund Khurasani is of the view that what is taken to be into consideration in respect of the amaraat is that they hold good and one can resort to them to justify himself or excuse himself. According to late Mohaqiq Naeini, the amaraat are meant to discard the possibility of something being the opposite of the signs and submitting oneself to what is very likely to be the truth. His view is better known as 'exploratory division' ( taqsim - e kashf ). These are the three theories which have been discussed by the writer who has preferred the third theory saying that narrations and normative conduct of the sensible people corroborate it completely and that the other views are not free from flaw and defect.