How are Quranic verses containing the word 'Quran' interpreted regarding totality when used in oaths or conditions?
General Chapter
Al-Mughni
Book of Tadbir (Deferred Emancipation)
Primary text
The general ruling established by the definite article (Alif and Lam) in a conditional statement is that it necessitates the reading of the entire text. Although there are instances in the Quran, such as 'When you recite the Quran, seek refuge in Allah from Satan the outcast' (Quran 16:98) and 'And when you recite the Quran, We place between you and those who do not believe in the Hereafter a veiled barrier' (Quran 17:45), where the term does not refer to the entirety, these specific usages are understood as referring to partial reading due to contextual evidence (dalil). In matters lacking such counter-evidence, the default application of the definite article remains totality.
Supporting text
Contextual evidence suggests that when freedom is made conditional upon reading the Quran, the master's intent is to encourage a significant act, thereby implying the reading of the entire text, as rewarding manumission for reading only a verse or two is unlikely to serve as a strong incentive.