Fard and wajib III Options

[Norah]

Assalaamu alaikum,

I apologize for the way I said that "copy and paste post" thing, but someone had just asked a question, and you had just posted that same thing.

I have been looking on google, and found that Hanafi's definitely distinguish between what is fard and what is wajib. I have also found definitions of the words from hanbali fiqh.

Wajib (obligatory) أ¢â‚¬â€œ Its linguistic meaning is: descending [as in: the sun begins its descent after noon], firmly rooted. Its legal meaning is: that which someone is censured for unconditionally neglecting.

Fard (prescribed) أ¢â‚¬â€œ Its linguistic meaning is portioning, influencing, requiring, and a given share. Its legal meaning is that which is established via certain evidence, or: that which does not cease [being obligatory when omitted], intentionally or absentmindedly. Imam Ahmad said that it is that which the Qurأ¢â‚¬â„¢an requires.

http://mac.abc.se/home/onesr/h/228.html

I was simply wondering about the Arabic, not wanting an answer that they are the same. In no language is there two words that mean exactly the same thing. My husband is Arab, and when I asked him, he said he didn't know, so I asked here. I thought someone here might know a lot about the Arabic language.

[Aboo Uthmaan]

Assalaamu Alaikum,

I posted the same thing because your question was the same.

According to Al-Jumhoor (the majority of scholars) there is no difference between the words Fard and Wajib.

You are correct when you say that Imam Abu Haneefah (rahimahullah) distinguished between the two, but in essence if you look closely you will see the meaning is in reality the same. Imam Abu Haneefah (rahimahullah) said that Fard means obligations in which there is no ambiguity (i.e. Salah, Zakah etc.) whereas Wajib means the same but the daleel for that obligation is presumptive (i.e. provides a reasonable basis for belief or acceptance). So whenever the daleel is there and proven to be authentic then it is an obligation regardless of what term (i.e. Fard or Wajib) you want to give it.

As for what you quoted as being the opinion of Imam Ahmed (rahimahullah) then this did come via one report from him, but via other reports he also said there is no difference between Fard & Wajib.

As already stated, the correct and majority opinion amongst the scholars is that Fard and Wajib mean the same.

Was-Salaamu Alaikum,

Abu Suhaylah.