What is the stronger position regarding the difference between ja'iz (permissible) and halal (lawful)?
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The questioner : May Allah reward you, O Shaykh. What is the stronger position? What is the difference between ja'iz (permissible) and halal (lawful)?
The Shaykh : Yes, there is no difference between ja'iz (permissible) and halal (lawful) in the terminology of the scholars of usul al-fiqh (the principles of jurisprudence). If they say, "This is halal," it means the same as saying, "This is ja'iz." However, the theologians (mutakallimun) distinguish between halal and ja'iz, for they mean by ja'iz that which is possible, neither impossible nor obligatory. For example, the existence of created things is among the ja'iz (permissible) matters, meaning it is not impossible, for if it were impossible, it would not have come into existence. Nor is it among the obligatory matters, for if it were obligatory, it would not have been non-existent before. As for the jurists, ja'iz, halal, and mubah (permissible) all mean the same thing.
The Shaykh : Yes, there is no difference between ja'iz (permissible) and halal (lawful) in the terminology of the scholars of usul al-fiqh (the principles of jurisprudence). If they say, "This is halal," it means the same as saying, "This is ja'iz." However, the theologians (mutakallimun) distinguish between halal and ja'iz, for they mean by ja'iz that which is possible, neither impossible nor obligatory. For example, the existence of created things is among the ja'iz (permissible) matters, meaning it is not impossible, for if it were impossible, it would not have come into existence. Nor is it among the obligatory matters, for if it were obligatory, it would not have been non-existent before. As for the jurists, ja'iz, halal, and mubah (permissible) all mean the same thing.