It is the address of the legislator related to the actions of the ‘Ibaad (servants) Bi-l-Wad’i.

The Ahkaam of Al-Wad’i are the matters which have been placed down (or provided) for the Ahkaam of Takleef like the Sabab, Shart, Maani’ and others for the purpose of realising those Ahkaam and completing them.

The Address of Takleef relates to the action of the person directly whilst the address of Al-Wad’i relates to the address of the Takleef. Therefore, the address of Al-Wad’i is related to the action of the human or person indirectly.

Example:

The Zakaah is a Hukm Takleefiy and it is Waajib.

The passing of a year upon the Nisaab of the Zakaah is a Shart (condition) for obligating the Zakaah and it is Wujoob (obligatory). If this condition in respect to the Nisaab of the Zakaah is not realised the Wujoob (obligation) falls. This Shart is from amongst the Ahkaam Al-Wad’i.

Another example:

The Zhohr prayer is Fard and is a Hukm Takleefiy.

This Salaah has a Sabab (cause) and Shuroot (conditions) and these represent the Ahkaam Al-Wad’iyah. So the sun’s movement away from the middle of the sky is the Sabab (cause) for the presence of the Salaah whilst Tahaarah (being in a purified state), Wudoo’ and facing the direction of the Qiblah are all Shuroot (conditions) for the validity of this prayer. These Shuroot represent Ahkaam Wad’iyah which the Shar’iyah texts have indicated or guided to.

Consequently, the Ahkaam Al-Wad’iyah are Ahkaam for the Ahkaam At-Takleefiyah with particular descriptions. The realisation of the Ahkaam At-Takleefiyah rests upon the Ahkaam Al-Wad’iyah just as their completion (Ikmaal) rest upon them, as was seen in the examples of the Zakaah and the Zhohr prayer.