j-n-f

Description

The Arabic root جنف (j-n-f) carries the core meaning of deviation, inclination, or leaning away from what is straight or just, often without deliberate wrongdoing. In the Quranic context, it appears in verses related to inheritance and testimony, referring to an unintentional error or bias that might occur when executing a will or bearing witness, distinguishing this from willful transgression or injustice (ithm). The root emphasizes the concept of inadvertent deviation from fairness rather than intentional wrongdoing, which is significant in Islamic jurisprudence where intention plays a crucial role in determining culpability.