What is the criterion for prohibition: is it for prohibition or for dislike?
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The questioner : O Shaykh, may Allah reward you. How do I know whether a hadith of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) regarding prohibition is for prohibition or for dislike?
The Shaykh : It is not possible to establish this as a general rule. Some scholars said that the default ruling for prohibition is that it is forbidden, and we do not deviate from this except with evidence. Others said that the default ruling for prohibition is that it is disliked, and we do not declare it forbidden except with evidence. And some distinguished between them, saying that the default ruling in acts of worship is that prohibition is for prohibition, while in morals and etiquette, prohibition is for guidance and dislike—meaning guidance to leave it and dislike of doing it. It is not possible to say, after we have given thought and reflection, that we have found a settled rule. Rather, every text is judged by what it necessitates and by the legal indicators from other evidence.
The Shaykh : It is not possible to establish this as a general rule. Some scholars said that the default ruling for prohibition is that it is forbidden, and we do not deviate from this except with evidence. Others said that the default ruling for prohibition is that it is disliked, and we do not declare it forbidden except with evidence. And some distinguished between them, saying that the default ruling in acts of worship is that prohibition is for prohibition, while in morals and etiquette, prohibition is for guidance and dislike—meaning guidance to leave it and dislike of doing it. It is not possible to say, after we have given thought and reflection, that we have found a settled rule. Rather, every text is judged by what it necessitates and by the legal indicators from other evidence.