What are real-life examples of agreement and disagreement?
The mafhoum (inferred meaning) is the meaning indicated by the wording, but not explicitly stated. Mafhoum al-Muwafaqah (meaning by agreement) is assigning to what is unstated the same ruling as what is stated, but a fortiori, such as the prohibition of beating and reviling from the Almighty's saying: "So do not say to them, 'Uff!'" (Quran 17:23). There is also mafhoum al-Musawi (equivalent meaning), such as the Almighty's saying: "Indeed, those who devour the property of orphans unjustly are only consuming into their bellies fire. And they will be burned in a blaze." (Quran 4:10). From this, it is understood that destroying an orphan's property in any way is equivalent to devouring it. Mafhoum al-Mukhalafah (meaning by opposition) is the negation of the ruling from anything other than the described attribute, such as the Prophet's (peace be upon him) saying: "On pasturing camels, there is zakat." From this, it is understood that there is no zakat on non-pasturing animals. Scholars have differed on whether mafhoum al-mukhalafah can be used as a basis for legal inference.
Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026
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