It differs from an exception, for an exception along with that from which it is excepted is an expression for what remains of that from which it was excepted. Thus, the statement of God Almighty, 'And he remained among them a thousand years except fifty years' (Surat al-Ankabut, 14), is an expression for nine hundred and fifty. As for payment, it only removes a part that was established, so if it is removed by payment, it is not permissible to express it in a way that indicates the remainder.

Section: If he connects his acknowledgment with what nullifies it, such as saying, 'He has a thousand against me as the price of wine or a pig, or as the price of food I bought but which perished before I took possession of it, or as the price of a corrupt sale I did not take possession of, or I guaranteed it on the condition that I have the option [to rescind],' then the thousand becomes binding upon him, and his statement is not accepted regarding its nullification. This was mentioned by Abu al-Khattab. This is the position of Abu Hanifa and one of the two statements of al-Shafi'i. The Qadi mentioned that if he says, 'He has a thousand against me in counterfeit currency,' and clarifies it as being lead or copper, it is not accepted, because he has removed everything he admitted to. In the rest of the cases we mentioned, he said: His statement is accepted, because he attributed his acknowledgment to its cause, so it was accepted, just as if he had attributed it to a valid cause. Our argument is that this contradicts what he acknowledged, so it is not accepted, like the case he conceded, and as if he said: 'He has a thousand against me that is not binding upon me,' or says: 'He has paid everything he acknowledged.' It is not accepted, like the exception of the whole. The contradiction of his speech is not hidden; for the establishment of a thousand against him in these situations is inconceivable, and his acknowledgment is an information of its establishment, so they contradict each other. If he concedes the establishment of the thousand against him, then it is what we have stated.

Section: The acknowledgment of an acknowledger is not accepted, except in matters that are a punishment (Hadd) of God Almighty, which is warded off by doubts and for the avoidance of which precautions are taken. As for the rights of human beings and the rights of God Almighty that are not warded off by doubts, such as Zakat (obligatory alms) and expiations, his retraction is not accepted. We know of no disagreement regarding this.