The Principle (almabda?)

(p. 9) In the Arabic language, the word (mabda?) is a verbal noun ⁶ from the verb (bada?) (to begin). In the general, technical sense, (mabda?) refers to the fundamental concepts on which subsidiary concepts are based. However, people have applied the term (mabda?) to subsidiary concepts, mistaken for fundamental concepts, because, like fundamental concepts, they serve as the basis for other subsidiary concepts. People have thus maintained that ‘cooperation’ and ‘social interaction’ ⁷ are principles; similarly, they have referred to the principles of economics, ethics, sociology, and so forth. In reality, these are not principles as such, but rather rules or subsidiary concepts. The fact that these rules and concepts may serve as the basis for other subsidiary concepts does not qualify them to be principles as such because they are not fundamental concepts. Thus ‘loyalty’ and ‘truthfulness’ are subsidiary not fundamental concepts; they are based on two legal rulings derived from the Holy Qur’an and from the exalted Sunnah (Hadith) ⁸ of the Prophet (may Allah’s prayers and peace be upon Him) (mappuh). ^*