naqli

Naqli is a term used in Islamic sciences to denote knowledge derived from transmitted or textual sources, as opposed to aqli knowledge derived by reason. The root naqla means transfer or transmission, and the term is used to distinguish types of evidence and methods in theology, jurisprudence, and hadith studies. Naqli knowledge encompasses the Qur'an, hadith, and established traditions passed through chains of narration, as well as scholarly consensus that is received through authoritative transmission. It is contrasted with aqli knowledge, which relies on rational argument, deduction, and logical inference, such as qiyas and kalam-based reasoning.

In jurisprudence, naqli sources are often prioritized for establishing rulings, with the texts of revelation and authentic reports providing the central basis for law. Some schools emphasize aqli methods to interpret or apply these texts, while others foreground strict textual evidence. In hadith sciences, naqli matters refer to narrated reports, their chains of transmission (isnad), and assessments of authenticity (for example sahih, hasan, da’if). The distinction between naqli and aqli approaches also appears in theological discourse, where debates may center on the weight of revealed texts versus rational argument.

In linguistic and cultural usage, the adjective naqli is common in Urdu, Persian, and Turkish scholarship to describe knowledge, literature, or methods that are transmitted from authorities and traditional sources, as opposed to those developed through independent reasoning. The term is also encountered as a personal name in Muslim communities. Overall, naqli denotes the tradition-based, text-derived dimension of knowledge in Islamic intellectual life.