المعنى الاصطلاحي :

A general proposition that incorporates interrelated subdivisions.

الشرح المختصر :

"Dābit" (principle) represents one of the different levels of the rule. It is a general proposition incorporating interrelated subdivisions pertaining to a specific issue in order to distinguish them from other issues. It is meant to encompass all similar issues under one ruling. A chapter is defined as: A group of rulings sharing a single subject, like the chapter on prayer, etc. Examples of the "dābit": 1. "Any type of natural water is pure." This is related to the book of purification, the chapter on the types of water. 2. "What is permissible in the obligatory prayers is also permissible in the voluntary prayers." This is related to the book of prayer. Scholars of Fiqh have mentioned these principles to make it easier to memorize and recall all the various subdivisions, and to be able to deal with them correctly. One should know general propositions to be able to identify their respective subdivisions so that his words would be based on knowledge and integrity.

التعريف اللغوي المختصر :

"Dābit": what is absolutely necessary. Derived from "dabt", which means adherence to something, being responsible for and maintaining something. Original meaning of "dabt": holding something firmly; opposite: "tafreet" (negligence); other meanings: strength, power, retention, limitation, specification.