The Apparent Sense (al-ẓāhir) and the Interpreted Sense (al-muʾawwal)

Definition of the Apparent Sense
Linguistically, al-ẓāhir denotes what is plain and manifest. Technically, it refers to a wording that, by itself, points to a predominant meaning while still allowing the possibility of another. An example is his ﷺ statement, “Perform wuḍūʾ after eating camel meat” (1). The apparent sense of wuḍūʾ here is washing the four prescribed limbs in the legally defined manner, not the broader sense of general cleanliness.

Our phrase “points by itself to a meaning” excludes the ambiguous (mujmal), for such a text does not on its own convey a definite meaning.
Our phrase “predominant” excludes the interpreted text (muʾawwal), because it indicates a less likely meaning were it not for supporting evidence.
Our phrase “while still allowing the possibility of another” excludes the explicit text (naṣṣ ṣarīḥ), for it can bear only one meaning.

Acting upon the Apparent Sense
Acting upon the apparent sense is obligatory unless there is evidence that diverts it from its outward meaning, because this