Iltibas (confusion between the lawful and the forbidden)

Iltibas in the lexical sense is mixing, and also resemblance and perplexity; one says that a matter became confused for him, meaning it was unclear. ¹ Some jurists treat it as the same as ishtibah; the Malikis alone use the word iltibas, while others mostly use ishtibah or shakk. ¹

The ruling depends on what is confused. When the lawful is mixed with the forbidden, the forbidden side is preferred as a precaution: a stranger woman confused with a sister by nursing makes both forbidden, and so does a slaughtered animal confused with carrion. ² When the qibla is unclear, one asks, searches and reasons; if it cannot be known, one chooses and prays. ² Most jurists hold that when clean water is confused with unclean water, or vessels or clothes are confused, one searches and reasons; some Hanafis held the cleanness the stronger view. ²

The detailed rules and related terms are in the entry on ishtibah (اشتباه). ²