To what extent is it valid to use the principle "The lesson is in the generality of the wording, not the specificity of the cause" in contexts other than those in which the verses were revealed, such as the verse concerning spoils of war (And whatever the Messenger gives you, take it; and whatever he forbids you from, abstain from it) and the verse concerning abandoning jihad (And do not throw yourselves with your own hands into destruction)?

The jurists and scholars have established the rule "The consideration is the generality of the wording, not the specificity of the cause," which is agreed upon by the majority of scholars. The indication of the wording towards its cause is definitive, and the cause may not be excluded from the generality of the wording.

Two points must be noted when applying this rule: 1. A distinction is made between a general statement that appears due to a specific cause, which does not restrict it, and the context and surrounding evidence indicating a restriction of the general statement, for that indeed restricts it. 2. The generality of the wording is considered over the specificity of the cause when there is no opposing factor. However, if an opposing factor exists, the wording is then interpreted according to the specificity of the cause.