The Mas'alah–Fatwa distinction here is a beginner teaching aid, not a rigid two-box taxonomy for every scholarly use.
The word Mas'alah can appear in other scholarly contexts too.
For this level, simply remember: Mas'alah is the point, question, or case under discussion; Fatwa is the qualified Mufti's responsible response to a submitted case.
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Do Not Turn the Difference into a Rigid Formula
The Mas'alah–Fatwa distinction here is a beginner teaching aid, not a rigid two-box taxonomy for every scholarly use.
The word Mas'alah can appear in other scholarly contexts too.
For this level, simply remember: Mas'alah is the point, question, or case under discussion; Fatwa is the qualified Mufti's responsible response to a submitted case.