Is the term "al-Lafz" a word meaning a single word, or does it encompass speech?

The questioner : May Allah reward you, O Shaykh. Does "al-Lafz" in the word mean a single word, or does it encompass speech?

The Shaykh : It appears that the intended meaning is the generic sense. Also, it is necessary for us to know, and this is a benefit, that the word "al-kalimah" in the terminology of the Shari'ah is different from the word "al-kalimah" in the terminology of grammarians. "Al-kalimah" is the meaningful sentence, as in the saying of Allah the Exalted: These are sentences. And the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: He called it the truest word, even though it is an independent half of a verse. So "al-kalimah" in the terminology of grammarians is different from it in the terminology of the Shari'ah. And the saying of Ibn Malik: "And a word by which speech may be comprehensive" this is with regard to the terminology of grammarians, not with regard to the language. Otherwise, the original meaning in the language is that "al-kalimah" is the meaningful sentence. Yes.