Al-Maani' kiisarufi: Ni kile kinachozuia na kukwamisha kitu kingine zaidi yake.

Al-Maani’ linguistically: It is what prevents and is obstructive to other than it.

Maana kwa mujibu wa Istilahi (ufafanuzi wa kitaalamu):

The meaning in accordance to the Istilaah (Terminological definition):

Ni kile ambacho Shaari' ameweka kuwa kutokuwepo kwa Hukm ni matokeo ya kuwepo kwake, au kutokuwepo kwa Sabab (sababu) ya Hukm ni matokeo ya kuwepo kwake (yaani, ikiwepo, Hukm haipo, au Sabab ya Hukm haipo).

It is what the Shaari’ has made the absence of the Hukm resultant from its presence or the absence of the Sabab (cause) of the Hukm resultant from its existence (i.e. if it exists the Hukm does not exist or the Sabab for the Hukm does not exist).

Mfano:

Example:

Hedhi (al-Haid) ni Maani' (kizuizi) kwa Swalah ya mwanamke.

Al-Haid (menstruation) is a Maani’ (preventer) for the woman’s Salaah.

Deni linawakilisha Maani' (kizuizi) cha kufikia Nisaab ya Zakaah ikiwa deni hilo linapunguza kiasi kilichopo hadi chini ya Nisaab.

The debt represents a Maani’ (preventer) for the attainment of the Nisaab of the Zakaah if the debt reduces the amount under the Nisaab.