‘Illah ialah al-Baa’ith (sebab yang mendorong, motif) bagi penetapan hukum, manakala Sabab ialah sesuatu yang memberitahu tentang kehadiran Hukm dalam realiti. Sabab tidak berkaitan dengan penetapan Hukm untuk menangani realiti.

The ‘Illah is the Baa’ith (reason, motive) for the legislation whilst the Sabab is that which notifies of the presence of the Hukm within the reality. It (the Sabab) is not related to the legislation of the Hukm in order to treat the reality.

Contoh:

Example:

Allah Ta'ala berfirman:

Allah Ta’Aalaa said:

Kejatuhan matahari merupakan sebab bagi masuknya waktu solat Zuhur, dan 'Dulūk' matahari ialah ketika ia condong dari pertengahan langit sebagai tanda untuk mengenal masuknya waktu Salāt uẓ-Ẓuhr.

The decline of the sun is the Sabab for the presence of the Zhohr prayer and the ‘Dulook’ of the sun is when it declines from the centre of the sky as a sign to identify the presence of Salaat uzh-Zhohr.

Sedangkan ‘Illah ialah sebab atau motif bagi penetapan Hukum, dan ia bukan Sabab (punca) bagi kewujudannya (dalam realiti). Sebagai contoh, Sabab bagi kewujudan Solat Jumaat ialah condongnya matahari dari tengah langit, manakala al-Ilhaa’ (kelalaian/gangguan) ialah ‘Illah bagi larangan menjalankan perniagaan ketika waktu Solat.

This is whilst the ‘Illah is the reason or motive for the legislation of the Hukm and it is not a Sabab (cause) for its existence (in the reality). For example, the Sabab for the existence of Salaat ul-Jumu’ah is the decline of the sun from the centre of the sky whilst ‘Al-Ilhaa’’ (distraction) is the ‘Illah for the prohibition of conducting trade at the time of the Salaah.

Oleh itu, sebab (sabab) itulah yang menjadikan solat Jumaat wujud. Adapun 'illah, maka ia pula yang mewujudkan hukum yang berkaitan dengan solat tersebut.

Consequently, the Sabab brought Jumu’ah prayer into being. As for the ‘Illah then it brought the Hukm that is related to the prayer into being.

Antara takrifan bagi ‘As-Sabab’ ialah yang berikut:

From amongst the definitions of ‘As-Sabab’ is the following:

Ia adalah sesuatu yang mengharuskan dari kewujudannya kewujudan (Hukum), dan mengharuskan melalui ketiadaannya ketiadaan (Hukum). Oleh itu, jika Zawaal (gelincir matahari dari meridian) telah berlaku maka Hukum telah berlaku (iaitu wujud), dan jika ia tidak berlaku maka (kewajipan)

It is that which necessitates from its existence the existence (of the Hukm) and necessitates through its absence the absence (of the Hukm). Consequently, if the Zawaal (decline of the sun from the meridian) has taken place then the Hukm has taken place (i.e. come into being) and if it hasn’t occurred then the (obligation of the)

Solat belum berlaku.

Salaah has not occurred.