As for indeterminate wording, its intended meaning cannot be understood from its words alone; its explanation requires something else. An example is His saying, Exalted is He:
“Give its due on the day of its harvest.” [al-An‘ām: 141]
The word “due” does not, without further explanation, indicate either its nature or its amount. Other examples include His sayings, Exalted is He:
“Establish prayer and give zakah.” [al-Baqarah: 43]
“Fasting has been prescribed for you.” [al-Baqarah: 183]
“Pilgrimage to the House is a duty owed to Allah by all who are able to undertake it.” [Āl ‘Imrān: 97]
It has been said that these verses are general rather than indeterminate. The correct view, however, is that they are indeterminate. This is Mālik’s position—may Allah have mercy on him—for he said: “All of pilgrimage is in the Book of Allah, whereas prayer and zakah are not explained in the Book of Allah; the Messenger of Allah ﷺ explained these matters.”
Explicit wording is of two kinds: unabrogated and abrogated.
Abrogated wording is that whose ruling has been abrogated while its written text remains. There are many examples in the Quran, such as His saying:
“O you who believe, when you consult the Messenger privately, give charity before your consultation.” [al-Mujādilah: 12]
This was then abrogated by His saying, Exalted is He:
“Since you did not do so, and Allah has pardoned you, establish prayer, give zakah, and obey Allah and His Messenger.” [al-Mujādilah: 13]
Another example is His saying:
“If there are twenty steadfast among you, they will overcome two hundred; and if there are a hundred among you, they will overcome a thousand of those who disbelieve, because they are a people who do not understand.” [al-Anfāl: 65]
“Now Allah has lightened your burden.” [al-Anfāl: 66]
That ruling was then abrogated by the verse that follows it.
Unabrogated wording is that which has not been abrogated. It is of two kinds: wording that admits more than one interpretation and wording that does not. The latter is an unequivocal text, defined as wording whose clarity reaches the highest possible degree. The term nass derives from its use for travelling at the utmost pace. It is also said to derive from the bridal dais upon which a bride is raised to be displayed before the people. An example is His saying, Exalted is He:
“Divorced women shall wait for three periods.” [al-Baqarah: 228],