Captain Mohamed Hassan Al-TahirTo the inbox of every shade of Sudan’s political spectrum—far from manipulation and exploitation

 

 

*🗣️ Political Discourse: The Essence of Wisdom Between Constancy and Change (Intentionality, Objectivity, and Istishab)*

Date: October 5, 2025

 

In today’s world, where language intertwines with power and intentions entangle with contexts, political discourse emerges as one of the most complex and transformative forms of expression. Understanding this discourse requires a philosophical, linguistic, and jurisprudential triad:

 

– Intentionality

– Objectivity

– Istishab (Presumption of Continuity)

 

This triad leads us to pose the following questions:

– How do these concepts interact in shaping political discourse?

– Is it wise to change the discourse when the context changes?

 

 

*🎯 Intentionality and Arbitrariness: Between the Speaker’s Will and the Freedom of Language*

 

In the book _Unified Language_, intentionality is defined as the speaker’s orientation toward a specific meaning—language is not merely sound, but a tool that carries intent.

Conversely, arbitrariness is defined as the separation of the signifier from the signified, meaning the relationship between a word and its meaning is conventional, not inevitable.

 

– _Intentionality_ assumes the speaker carefully selects words to express a position or idea.

– _Arbitrariness_ opens the door to multiple interpretations, as language does not impose a single meaning.

 

This creates a dialectical tension:

– Intentionality seeks to fix meaning,

– While arbitrariness grants the audience interpretive freedom.

 

In political discourse, this duality generates friction between what the politician intends and what is understood—especially across diverse and shifting contexts.

 

*📚 Objectivity: From the Self to the Text*

 

In _Thematic Interpretation_ by Sheikh Muhammad Al-Ghazali, objectivity is defined as transcending subjectivity in understanding the text, relying on general context and holistic meanings. Objectivity does not imply absolute neutrality, but rather moving from the text toward reality—without reducing the text to the desires of the interpreter or speaker.

 

– In political discourse, objectivity demands that speech be built on the realities of the situation, not on whims or emotions.

– Yet it does not negate intentionality—it balances it, allowing the discourse to be directed but not biased.

 

*⚖️ The Principle of Istishab (Presumption of Continuity in the Absence of Change)*

 

In the science of Islamic jurisprudence, Istishab is defined as “judging the continuation of what was as it was,” meaning the original state is presumed to persist unless evidence suggests otherwise. It is a rational principle used when no new text or proof is available.

 

– In political discourse, this principle can be applied to the state of the audience or recipient:

– If the general context has not changed, the discourse should maintain its previous form.

– But if the context has shifted, then it is wise to change the discourse—Istishab does not imply rigidity, but constancy until change is warranted.

 

*🧠 The Relationship Between Intentionality, Objectivity, and Arbitrariness Through Istishab*

 

If we consider the audience in political discourse as the inquiring party, then the principle of Istishab requires the politician to respect the audience’s previous state unless it has changed. Here, intentionality, objectivity, and arbitrariness interact dynamically.

 

*🌀 Changing Political Discourse with Changing Contexts*

 

It is not only wise but necessary to change political discourse when the context changes—yet this must be done through the lens of Istishab. Change should not be arbitrary, but based on a shift in the audience’s condition or the political reality. If circumstances evolve, clinging to outdated discourse becomes ineffective—or even misleading.

– Successful political discourse is one that preserves the original when appropriate, and adapts when the context demands it.

 

This balance between constancy and change is the essence of political wisdom.

 

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*✨ Conclusion*

 

Political discourse is not mere words—it is a cognitive and contextual construct that demands a deep understanding of intentionality, arbitrariness, objectivity, and the principle of Istishab. Through these concepts, a politician can craft a balanced, flexible, and effective discourse—one that is not enslaved by context, nor ignorant of it, but engages with it wisely and consciously.