ASALIB MA’ANI GAYA BAHASA AL-TA’RIF DAN AL-TANKIR

Abstract

The study of balāghah, particularly ‘Ilm al-Ma‘ānī (the science of meanings), plays a significant role in understanding the accuracy of meaning and the beauty of Arabic rhetoric in accordance with the context of speech. One of the main discussions in ‘Ilm al-Ma‘ānī is the asālīb ma‘ānī (stylistic devices related to meaning), which includes the rhetorical styles of al-ta‘rīf (definiteness) and al-tankīr (indefiniteness). These two styles are not merely understood as grammatical categories, but also as rhetorical strategies that influence meaning formation and communicative purposes. This research aims to examine the concept of asālīb ma‘ānī from the perspective of ‘Ilm al-Ma‘ānī, identify the forms and variations of the rhetorical styles of al-ta‘rīf and al-tankīr, and explain their rhetorical functions in shaping meaning in Arabic. This study employs a descriptive qualitative approach through library research. Data were gathered from classical balāghah books and relevant scholarly journal articles, then analyzed using descriptive-analytical methods. The findings indicate that al-ta‘rīf and al-tankīr are essential elements in asālīb ma‘ānī, whose usage heavily depends on the contextual situation (muqtaḍā al-ḥāl). Al-ta‘rīf serves the functions of emphasis, specification, and glorification of meaning, while al-tankīr functions to expand meaning, express generalization, glorification, or belittlement of certain meanings. Both rhetorical styles are contextual and complementary in building message clarity and the beauty of Arabic rhetoric. These findings confirm the importance of understanding asālīb ma‘ānī, particularly in the styles of al-ta‘rīf and al-tankīr, as a foundation for analyzing Arabic texts and for teaching balāghah in higher education