TermRelative statusDecisive feature
MahfuzPreferredMore securely preserved than the accepted narrator's conflicting version
ShadhOutweighedAn accepted narrator contradicts a superior account
Ma‘rufPreferredThe stronger account opposed by a weak narrator
MunkarOutweighedA weak narrator contradicts the better-established account
Mahfuz/shadh and ma`ruf/munkar form two related but distinct comparisons. Both concern preference and contradiction; the general reliability of the conflicting narrator helps determine which terminology applies.