What is the duration implied by the oath 'not to speak to him for a Haaqb' (حقبا)?
General Chapter
Al-Mughni
Book of Expiations
Primary text
The period designated by 'Haaqb' in an oath is eighty years. This interpretation is supported by the narration attributed to Ibn Abbas regarding the exegesis of the verse Quran 78:23, wherein he stated that 'Al-Haaqb' is eighty years. This narration serves as binding evidence.
Supporting text
Malik stated that 'Haaqb' signifies forty years, basing this on a narration attributed to Ibn Abbas. Additionally, Al-Qadi and the companions of Al-Shafi'i maintain that it signifies the minimum possible time because no specific duration has been transmitted from the linguists. However, their view leads to interpreting the verses Quran 78:23 and Quran 18:60 (the speech of Musa) as meaning only moments or brief periods, which contradicts the intent of abundance implied by Allah and Musa in their speech, and this interpretation is not known to have been adopted by any exegete.