The Comparative Efficacy of Kalami and Rhetorical Exegesis in Understanding Aliment

Consciously or unconsciously, Shi’ite, Mo’tazila, and ‘Ashari commentators have consistently been affected by their own Kalami presumption during the exegetic history of the Noble Quran. One of the issues in this regard is the possibility or impossibility of Haram aliment. In order to investigate this exegetic subject, first historical origins on how it entered the Quranic exegesis should be illuminated through historical study. Then, we should achieve a new and valid understanding of this term using linguistic devices such as etymology and semantics.
The study of the history of Islam indicates that unlawful withholding of Muslims’ property especially public aliment by Othman ibn Affan is one of the most important causes which led to his killing. In the 2nd century A.H., this issue turned to a serious Kalami argument between Shi’ite and ‘Ash’ari denominations. In that historical period, it has been attempted to justify the unlawful withholding of Muslim’s property by the third Caliph using justification such as justice of Sahabe (companions), determinism, and references to the Quran. The etymological and semantic study of the term “aliment” shows that none of the exegetic and terminological books have surveyed the origin of this term because they were affected by the above mentioned serious argument. The etymology of “aliment” reveals that benevolence and mercy are key concepts in this term. The semantic investigation of “aliment” shows that this term in the Noble Quran means giving gift and it cannot be applied for Haram property. Using this method, represents new and valid evidence from the Noble Quran rejecting the possibility of Haram aliment.