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Islamic legal texts from which rulings are derived may be either unequivocal and clear in terms of the ruling they convey or equivocal and ambiguous in which case they need the aid of another text or additional evidence for clarification. This paper identifies the legal evidences that help to clarify the mujmal (an ambivalent text or locution) texts of the Quran. Such evidences are many and include verbal statements, performance and non-performance (Of action) by the Prophet, gestures, written statements, affirmation, resolution, consensus, etc. The paper discusses each of the evidences that removes textual ambiguity and the rules that apply to it. The most remarkable of these is that which is furnished by the Lawgiver Himself, God the Almighty, or by the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him). Those actions, whether verbal or practical, that consist of a clarification of ambiguous legal texts are those of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him). The majority of scholars have maintained the validity of recourse to the actions of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) as a means to clarify the mujmal. If a saying and practical deed which originates from the Prophet occur together following a mujmal text, both can be employed to remove the ambiguity. Islamic legal theorists and the majority of scholars hold different opinions regarding the operative elucidator depending on various factors including the order of precedence of the locution, the familiarity or unfamiliarity of a word, etc. Furthermore, a group of scholars has maintained the Prophet's non-performance (of a certain act) as a valid operative for elucidation. The Prophet's non-performance of an action may indicate that: - The action is not obligatory. - There is no legal ruling for that specific action. - The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) in that specific case is excluded from the scope of the general ruling. - The ruling is rescinded with respect to the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him). - The action is not detested. Clarification may be supplied by means of: - Gestures made by the Prophet (since it is tantamount to an action performed by him). - Writing (because it is an action that can replace verbal communication). - Approval of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) and this takes several forms. - Consensus and indication in the absence of a text.
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