FatwaFederal TerritoriesLegal Theory & Methodology
IRSYAD USUL AL-FEQH SIRI KE- 43 : MAKNA DAN APLIKASI KAEDAH ‘KEYAKINAN TIDAK HILANG DENGAN SYAK’
What is the meaning of the fiqh maxim 'certainty is not removed by doubt' and how is it applied?
Short answer
This maxim means that a matter already held with certainty is not overturned merely by doubt, and it remains until a new certainty replaces it.
A reference, not a fatwa. First sentence of the summary below — read the original fatwa and consult your state authority before acting.
- Authority
- Federal Territories Mufti Office
- Date
- Status
- Opinion (irsyad)
- Series
- Irsyad Usul al-Fiqh
- Topic
- Legal Theory & Methodology
No evidence of gazettement in the source — this is not a gazetted fatwa.
Summary
This maxim means that a matter already held with certainty is not overturned merely by doubt, and it remains until a new certainty replaces it. It is grounded in the Quran and hadith and gives rise to related maxims, such as the default ruling that a thing stays in its original state. For example, a person who has performed ablution and doubts whether it was nullified is still considered pure, while a person unsure of the number of prayer units takes the certain number and performs the prostration of forgetfulness. In matters of divorce, doubt about whether a divorce was pronounced does not result in a divorce taking effect.
Written in our own words from the original fatwa — check the source before acting on it.
Oleh itu, seseorang yang meyakini bahawa dirinya masih berada dalam keadaan taharah, kemudian timbul rasa ragu-ragu sama ada berlaku hadas atau tidak, maka kita katakan bahawa dia masih kekal berada dalam taharah
Read the full fatwa on the Federal Territories website (new tab)
How to cite
Cite the original fatwa and its authority. Rujuk Fatwa is only where you found it.
Federal Territories Mufti Office. “IRSYAD USUL AL-FEQH SIRI KE- 43 : MAKNA DAN APLIKASI KAEDAH ‘KEYAKINAN TIDAK HILANG DENGAN SYAK’”, 26 December 2019. https://muftiwp.gov.my/ms/artikel/irsyad-usul-fiqh/3917-irsyad-usul-al-feqh-siri-ke-43-makna-dan-aplikasi-kaedah-keyakinan-tidak-hilang-dengan-syak. Found via Rujuk Fatwa: https://rujukfatwa.com/en/fatwa/meaning-of-certainty-not-removed-by-doubt/