What is the meaning of “talfiq” (piecing together) in the schools of thought?

Talfiq (combining different jurisprudential opinions) has various forms. Among its impermissible forms is validating an act by combining two madhhabs after it has been invalidated by each of them individually. For example, if a person performs ablution, then touches a non-mahram (definition) woman, and blood exits from a place other than the private parts, his ablution is invalid according to the Shafi'i school due to touching, and invalid according to the Hanafi school due to the emission of blood. The validity of his prayer would then be constructed by combining the two madhhabs. It has been said that a combined ruling (hukm mulaffaq) is invalid by consensus (ijma'), but this consensus is debatable. Some scholars have permitted talfiq if it is based on following the evidence, but this is not achievable for the common person. There are other permissible types of talfiq, such as following one madhhab (definition) on an issue, then following another madhhab on the same issue when it recurs, or following one madhhab on one issue and another madhhab on a different issue. The Companions (Sahaba) used to issue fatwas to questioners without restricting them to a single madhhab. Talfiq is absolutely forbidden if its purpose is to seek out dispensations and indulge one's whims.