What is the ruling when someone states a monetary debt using an ambiguous number followed by a specific denomination (e.g., 'Ninety-nine dirhams')?
General Chapter
Al-Mughni
Book of Acknowledgment of Rights
Primary text
When a person states an ambiguous number followed by a specific denomination, such as stating 'He owes me ninety-nine dirhams' or 'One hundred fifty dirhams,' the denomination serves as an explanation for the entirety of the preceding ambiguous number and the category of the count. This interpretation is sound and established. The evidence for this is found in the Quran, where Allah recounts a disputant saying, "Indeed, this is my brother, and he has ninety-nine ewes" (Quran 38:23). Furthermore, historical reports indicate that the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) passed away at sixty-three years old, and Abu Bakr and Umar also passed away at sixty-three years old. The denomination functions as an explanation because it necessitates an explanation for the preceding number, and since it is fit to explain it, it must be interpreted as such.