Linguistically the Shart means: Al-’Alaamah Al-Laazimah (The inherent or necessary sign or characteristic).

The Shart which is a Hukm Wad’iy according to the Istilaah (terminological definition) of the Usooliyeen is:

Ash-Shart is that which is a Wasf (description) that completes the matter that is being conditioned for (Al-Mashroot) whether this Mashroot was the action (Al-Fi’l) or the Sabab of the action.

Example:

Al-Fi’l (the action): As-Salaah and it is the Mashroot (the matter having conditions placed upon it).

Al-Wudoo’: It is the Shart (condition) and it is a Wasf (description) that completes the actions of the Salaah. It is therefore a condition for its Sihhah (validity).

Sabab ul-Fi’l (the cause of the action): The wealth reaching the level of the Nisaab. The Nisaab is the Sabab of the Zakaah.

Shart As-Sabab (condition of the Sabab): The passing of a year upon this Nisaab. Therefore, the passing of a year is a condition (Shart) for the Sabab (cause) of the action which is the Nisaab of the Zakaah.