Difference between fardh and wajib

Thursday, 08 November 2007 17:19

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ANSWER:

There is a difference between fardh and wajib. The definition of fardh is:
ما ثبت بدليل قطعى لاشبهة فيه و حكمه الثواب بالفعل والعقاب بالترك و الكفر بالانكار
That which is established through a qat`ee (clear conclusive proof), free of any doubt. One will be rewarded for practising it, punished for abandoning it and considered a kafir for having denied it

The definition of wajib is:
ما ثبت بدليل ظنى و حكمه الثواب بالفعل و العقاب بالترك وعدم الكفر بالانكار
That which is established through a zanni (presumptive) proof. One will be rewarded for practising it and punished for abandoning it. One will not be considered a kafir for denying it.

This difference is according to the hanafis only. The other mazhabs do not differentiate between fardh and wajib. Therefore, Hadhrat `Ataa's verdict of t`awwuz being fardh and wajib should be understood in the same light.