协商（Shura）与磋商（Mashwarah）指的是征求意见，其绝对含义即在于此。它在立法、定义问题上没有约束力，在揭示事实等学理性问题上亦然，在技术与科学问题上也不具约束力；而当哈里发就任何操作性事务进行协商，以及对那些不需要深入研究和细致审查的行动进行协商时，则具有约束力。

Shura (consultation) and Mashwarah (deliberation) is the taking of opinion in its absolute meaning, and it is not binding in legislation, definitions, and nor intellectual issues such as disclosing facts, nor technical and scientific issues; and it is binding when the Khalifah consults in any operational issue and the actions that do not require research and deep examination.

“Shura”（شورى）源自动词“shawara”，意为征求意见、协商；也有人说“我向他征求了Shura”，即是向他请求提供建议（Mashurah）。

Shura is from the verb shawara, which is to seek opinion and consultation, and it is said I sought Shura from him – is to seek Mashurah for him.

“Shura”、“Mashurah”与“Mashwara”的含义相同。在《Lisan Al-‘Arab》中提到：人们说“某人是好的Mashurah（商议之人）”，Mashurah与Mashwarah是两种方言的说法。Farraa’说：Al-Mashura源自Mashwarah，后来为了便于发音而变为Mashura。Al-Layth说：Al-Mashwara属于Mafa‘la的形式，派生自Al-isharah（指示），并且有人说Mashura，它与Shura、Mashura以及同样的Mashwarah含义一致。你说“我就某件事与他进行了Shura（商议）”，以及“我向他寻求了Shura”。《Mukhtar Al-Sihah》中也提到：Al-Mashwarah即Al-Shura，也即Al-Mashurah，我们由此说“Shaawarahu（我就某事与他商议）”，以及“我向他寻求了Shura”，其含义相同。

Shura and Mashurah have the same meaning as Mashwara. In Lisan Al-‘Arab it mentioned: it is said So and so is good Mashurah and Mashwarah, in two dialects. Farraa’ said: Al-Mashura comes from Mashwarah, and then it became Mashura for the sake of ease. And Al-Layth said: Al-Mashwara is on the form Mafa‘la derived from Al-isharah, and it is said: Mashura, which is Shura and Mashura and similarly Mashwarah, and you say ‘I did Shura with him in an issue, and I sought Shura from him’, and it is mentioned in Mukhtar Al-Sihah: Al-Mashwarah is Al-Shura, and also Al-Mashurah, we say from it ‘Shaawarahu (I did Shura with him) in an issue, and I sought Shura from him’, with the same meaning.