The four degrees of obscurity are khafi, mushkil, mujmal and mutashabih. In khafi, the term's meaning is clear but application to a case is uncertain. Mushkil involves competing interpretations. Mujmal requires clarification from the speaker. Mutashabih concerns meaning whose full reality is not accessible by the method described in the text.
Examples included the application of “thief,” an oath involving “idam,” and ambiguity surrounding types of riba. The appropriate response differs: investigate application, weigh meanings, await clarification, or refrain from a definitive interpretation.