The Mujmal is the Lafzh the meaning of which contains a number of Ahwaal (circumstances) and Ahkaam that have been brought together within it, whilst it is not possible to know them without a Bayaan (explanation/elaboration).

Al-Bazdawi in his Usool defined it as:

‘The Mujmal is that which has become crowded with meanings and what is intended has become obscure in a manner making it not comprehendible within the same statement or expression. Rather (it is understandable) by returning to seeking explanation and then by effort and reflection or deep consideration’. The details of the Mujmal cannot be understood from the same text but rather there has to be a Mubayyan (something that explains it) that makes clear the meaning in it or that explains its partialities or details.

Example:

Allah Ta’Aalaa said:

The Salaah is a Mujmal Shar’iy Istilaah (terminology), the intended meaning of which is not known except by a Bayaan (clarifying explanation) from the Shaari’ (Legislator). The same applies to the Zakaah and the Hajj. Consequently, the Messenger of Allah (saw) came with a Bayaan for these Mujmal Alfaazh (worded expressions) through his speech and actions. He addressed the Muslims with his Qawl:

And by his speech:

The same is apparent within the Ahkaam of Al-Janaayaat (criminal acts) as the Qur’aan has stated the obligation of the Diyah (blood money) whilst the Sunnah An-Nabawiyah came explaining its amount and circumstances.

From this angle the Mujmal resembles the Mufassar except the Mufassar does not require a Bayaan as the Bayaan (explanation) of the text is mentioned within it and not in a secondary text. This is like the Qawl of Allah (swt):

This is from the Mufassar because it does not need interpretation (Ta’weel) or Bayaan (explanatory clarification or elaboration). The Lafzh: “Eighty lashes” explained the Lafzh (wording): “Lash them”.

1 – Pausing to specify the intended meaning from it so it is not permissible to work or act by it unless something has been mentioned from the Shaari’ (Legislator) which removes its Ijmaal (ambivalence) and reveals or discloses its meaning.

2 – If the Bayan (explanation) is sufficient and definite (Qat’iy) the Mujmal becomes from the Mufassar and it is obligatory to work (or act) by it. That is like the Bayaan that has come from the Messenger of Allah (saw) for the Salaah, Zakaah and the Hajj.

3 – If its Bayaan is not comprehensive and not Qat’iy (definite) then it is obligatory to work in accordance to the amount that its explanation has completed (and provided). That which the Bayaan does not cover falls into the realm of Ijtihaad in respect to explaining what the Shaari’ intended from it.