جنف

Core meaning

To lean off the straight line: a willed leaning that makes a judgment or an act deviate.

Uses

1. جَنَف → "a partiality" : the leaning of a testator that skews each one's share.

   • «فَمَنْ خَافَ مِن مُّوصٍۢ جَنَفًا أَوْ إِثْمًۭا» — "But whoever fears, on the part of a testator, a partiality or a transgression" (2:182)

2. مُتَجَانِف → "inclination" : form VI: to let oneself lean toward the fault.

   • «غَيْرَ مُتَجَانِفٍۢ لِّإِثْمٍۢ» — "without inclination to transgression" (5:3)

Evidence from the text

Both uses set the word beside إِثْم, transgression. In 2:182, the testator's leaning is feared along with transgression, and the one who reconciles the heirs bears none.

In 5:3, the one whom hunger compels to eat what is prohibited is excused if he does not lean toward transgression: compulsion excuses, leaning does not. The word thus names a willed deviation, distinct from error.

Distinctions

• خطء — error: the involuntary mistake; جنف is a leaning

See also

اثم (transgression)