Rukhsah
*Rukhsah* is a concession the law grants because of a standing excuse, while the original rule remains in force.
What it means for me: Rukhsah is relief built into the law for genuine hardship — travel, illness, real necessity. Taking it up is not a lesser or weaker form of religion.
Example: A traveler shortens the prayer instead of praying it in full. That is a rukhsah: a concession made available because of the hardship built into travel, not a discount taken without reason.
Do not confuse with: Azimah, the original rule. A rukhsah does not cancel the azimah; it sets it aside for someone in the specific situation the concession was made for.
If scholars differ: Jurists agree a rukhsah becomes available once its stated reason is present, such as travel for qasr, shortened prayer. They differ on whether taking it or keeping to the azimah is preferable when a person could manage either way.
See the term in context
Is it permissible to avail oneself of the concession (rukhsah) to use pirated software for personal, non-essential use, and does sin result from that, taking into consideration what some scholars have mentioned regarding the permissibility of copying for personal benefit when needed, and when the original copy is unavailable or one is unable to purchase it?
The Gist of the Fatwa: It is not permissible to copy and use pirated software whose owners stipulate the preservation of their rights, except with their permission. This applies whether the copying is for personal need…
What is the ruling on analogy (qiyas) based on dispensations (rukhsahs), and to what extent is the availability of their causes (asbab) without their impediments (mawani’) considered? And is the situation that permits taking the dispensation the effective cause (‘illah) around which the dispensation revolves in terms of existence and non-existence?
Scholars differed on the permissibility of analogical deduction (Qiyas) based on dispensations (Rukhas). The preponderant view among the majority of scholars is its permissibility if the underlying reason (illah) is…
What is the linguistic and technical definition of "waqiʿat ʿayn" (specific incident), what are the similarities and differences between it and the Shariah concession (rukhsah), and what are the incidents and prophetic traditions that fall under it, such as the incident of the suckling of the adult?
The phrase "waqi'at 'ayn" (a specific incident) means an issue that occurred to a particular individual, and it resembles a special dispensation for them, such as the Prophet Muhammad's (peace be upon him) permission…
Questions that use it
Is it permissible to wipe over shoes that do not cover the ankles, while wearing socks that reach the knees, and does ablution remain valid when taking off these shoes for prayer?
Is it permissible for the bride to perform Tayammum instead of Ghusl to pray the two Rak'ahs on her wedding night if she experiences discharge upon merely being touched by her husband and fears that her makeup will be ruined by Ghusl? And is it possible to postpone the two Rak'ahs until after enjoying the foreplay?
Does wiping over the leather socks need to be repeated with every new state of impurity within the wiping period, or is the first wipe sufficient?