Prophetic Parables: Definition, Significance, Origin, and Jurisprudential Derivations – A Research Study

امثال الحدیث: مفہوم، اہمیت، آغاز اور فقہی استنباط: تحقیقی جائزہ

Abstract

Prophetic parables (Amthāl al-Ḥadīth) hold a significant position in Islamic teachings as an effective tool for delivering guidance and explaining complex ideas. The Holy Prophet Muḥammad ﷺ employed parables to elucidate various moral, spiritual, and jurisprudential matters, rendering them easily comprehensible for all audiences. This research explores the concept of Amthāl al-Ḥadīth, delving into their linguistic and terminological definitions while distinguishing them from similar concepts like analogy (muthl), similitude (tashbīh), and representation (tamthīl). The study further highlights the Qur’anic emphasis on parables and how this practice was emulated and perfected in the Prophetic traditions. Key examples from the Ḥadīth literature demonstrate how parables were utilized to clarify rulings, promote ethical values, and provide insights into divine wisdom. Moreover, the study underscores the role of Amthāl al-Ḥadīth in the extraction of jurisprudential principles, illustrating how these parables became a foundational source for scholars in deriving rulings. Finally, the paper examines the historical development of this genre, tracing its roots to early Islamic scholarship and its formalization by prominent scholars. This research concludes by emphasizing the indispensable role of Prophetic parables in Islamic pedagogy and their enduring relevance in contemporary discourse.