What is the ruling when one intends only wealth by using general prohibitive statements?

General Chapter

Al-Mughni

Book of Zihar

Book 42 · Issue 2 · Bab 1

Open in Qurani

Primary text

If a person intends only wealth by saying, "Ma ahalla Allahu 'alayya haram" (What Allah made lawful for me is unlawful) or similar general terms, only the expiation for an oath is incumbent upon him. This is because a general term may permissibly be used to refer only to a specific thing.

Supporting text

According to another narration, if the general term "unlawful" (al-haram) in its absolute sense is not considered Zihar, then the person is only considered to have made Zihar in this context if he specifically intended Zihar.