What is the legal obligation when a debtor states, 'Katha wa Katha' (such and such and such) or 'Katha Katha' (such and such such and such) followed by a specific number?
General Chapter
Al-Mughni
Book of Acknowledgment of Rights
Primary text
If the debtor states 'Katha Katha' or 'Katha wa Katha', the obligation is eleven dirhams, as this represents the minimum compound number interpreted by a single accusative noun, according to Muhammad bin Al-Hasan. Our established position is that since the utterance is susceptible to the interpretations mentioned, one must adhere to the minimum certain obligation, as any amount beyond that is doubtful and not obligatory to be paid based on doubt, similar to the case of stating 'ms2501 dirhams,' where only the minimum of a plural must be paid.
Supporting text
It is narrated from Abu Yusuf that if one says 'Katha Katha' or 'Katha wa Katha', eleven dirhams are obligatory upon him. Furthermore, Muhammad bin Al-Hasan's view implies that a singular utterance necessitates a greater obligation than a repeated one (twenty for singular versus eleven for repeated), a structure for which no established precedent exists where a singular word entails a higher certain obligation than its repetition.