Is an admission of owing 'great, much, grand, or significant money' accepted when subsequently specified as a small amount?
General Chapter
Al-Mughni
Book of Acknowledgment of Rights
Primary text
If one states, 'I owe him great (azim), much (kathir), grand (jalil), or significant (khatir) money,' the specification as a small or large amount is valid, just as if one had simply stated 'money' without qualification. This is the view of Al-Shafi'i. The justification is that whatever amount is specified as 'money' is also specified as 'great' by those who agree on the general admission, and that 'great' or 'much' has no fixed limit in religious law, language, or custom, varying according to individual perception. Furthermore, any amount of wealth is great relative to a lesser amount.
Supporting text
It is reported from Abu Hanifa that the specification is not accepted if it is less than ten Dirhams, because this is the amount that triggers the penalty of amputation or constitutes a valid dowry. Another opinion attributed to him states it must be at least two hundred Dirhams, which is the amount upon which Zakat becomes obligatory, as held by his two companions. Some Malikis agree with the initial ruling regarding the term 'money.' Others state it must exceed the smallest increase, or be equivalent to the value of blood money (diyah). Al-Layth ibn Sa'd stated the amount is seventy-two, correlating it to the seventy-two battles and expeditions mentioned in Quran 9:25.