The Holy Quran, with its divine eloquence, includes Muhkamat and Mutashabihat verses to guide believers. Understanding their differences is key to deeper insight. This article explores their meanings, scholarly interpretations, and how Muslims should approach them to strengthen their faith.
Mutashabihat Meaning
Understanding Mutashabihat meaning is essential for anyone seeking deeper insight into the Quran.
The term “Mutashabihat” refers to verses whose meaning may be unclear to some people but clear to others.
It means that scholars know their interpretation, while others may not. Some of these verses are known only to Allah, such as the timing of the Day of Judgment and the emergence of the Beast.
What is Ayat Muhkamat?
Ayat Muhkamat are clear and don’t leave any room for doubt.
They are the majority of the Quranic verses, such as the verses about prayer and the forbidden matters declared by Allah.
What is the difference between Muhkamat and Mutashabihat?
Scholars have differed in defining the Ayat Muhkamat and Ayat Mutashabihat based on the verse:
“هُوَ ٱلَّذِىٓ أَنزَلَ عَلَيْكَ ٱلْكِتَـٰبَ مِنْهُ ءَايَـٰتٌۭ مُّحْكَمَـٰتٌ هُنَّ أُمُّ ٱلْكِتَـٰبِ وَأُخَرُ مُتَشَـٰبِهَـٰتٌۭ ۖ فَأَمَّا ٱلَّذِينَ فِى قُلُوبِهِمْ زَيْغٌۭ فَيَتَّبِعُونَ مَا تَشَـٰبَهَ مِنْهُ ٱبْتِغَآءَ ٱلْفِتْنَةِ وَٱبْتِغَآءَ تَأْوِيلِهِۦ ۗ وَمَا يَعْلَمُ تَأْوِيلَهُۥٓ إِلَّا ٱللَّهُ ۗ وَٱلرَّٰسِخُونَ فِى ٱلْعِلْمِ يَقُولُونَ ءَامَنَّا بِهِۦ كُلٌّۭ مِّنْ عِندِ رَبِّنَا ۗ وَمَا يَذَّكَّرُ إِلَّآ أُو۟لُوا۟ ٱلْأَلْبَـٰبِ ٧”
“He is the One Who has revealed to you ˹O Prophet˺ the Book, of which some verses are precise—they are the foundation of the Book—while others are elusive. Those with deviant hearts follow the elusive verses seeking ˹to spread˺ doubt through their ˹false˺ interpretations—but none grasps their ˹full˺ meaning except Allah. As for those well-grounded in knowledge, they say, “We believe in this ˹Quran˺—it is all from our Lord.” But none will be mindful ˹of this˺ except people of reason.”
Here are some scholarly definitions for the difference between muhkamat and mutashabihat verses
Some scholars said:
- Muhkamat are the words whose meanings are clear and obvious.
- Mutashabihat are the ones whose full knowledge is reserved for Allah or that require further explanation or must be referred back to the Muhkamat.
Others said:
- Muhkamat are the verses whose meaning is known.
- Mutashabihat are those whose meaning is known only by Allah.
Another view:
- Muhkamat are verses that are complete in themselves and do not need further clarification.
- Mutashabihat are those that need clarification and further explanation.
Another opinion:
- Muhkamat have only one possible meaning.
- Mutashabihat can have several possible meanings.
Scholars generally concur on the fundamental nature of the definitions of Ayat Muhkamat and Ayat Mutashabihat, as evidenced by the previous opinions.
What Should Muslims Do Regarding the Mutashabihat Verses?
Understanding Muhkamat and Mutashabihat verses is crucial for every Muslim.
Muslims should act upon the Muhkamat verses and refer the Mutashabihat to the Muhkamat or ask scholars if something is unclear.
Scholars must interpret the Mutashabihat verses based on the Muhkamat ones. It is not allowed to interpret them in a way that contradicts the rest of the Quran, because the Quran does not contradict itself.
As the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said:
حَدَّثَنَا الْقَعْنَبِيُّ، حَدَّثَنَا يَزِيدُ بْنُ إِبْرَاهِيمَ التُّسْتَرِيُّ، عَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ أَبِي مُلَيْكَةَ، عَنِ الْقَاسِمِ بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ، عَنْ عَائِشَةَ، رضى الله عنها قَالَتْ قَرَأَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم هَذِهِ الآيَةَ { هُوَ الَّذِي أَنْزَلَ عَلَيْكَ الْكِتَابَ مِنْهُ آيَاتٌ مُحْكَمَاتٌ } إِلَى { أُولُو الأَلْبَابِ } قَالَتْ فَقَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم ” فَإِذَا رَأَيْتُمُ الَّذِينَ يَتَّبِعُونَ مَا تَشَابَهَ مِنْهُ فَأُولَئِكَ الَّذِينَ سَمَّى اللَّهُ فَاحْذَرُوهُمْ ” .
‘A’ishah said: The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) recited this verse: “He it is who has sent down to thee the Book: in it are verses basic or fundamental . . . .” Up to “men of understanding.” She said, The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) then said: When you see those people who follow that which is allegorical in the Quran, those are the people whom Allah has named (in the Quran). So avoid them.
Muslims stay on the right road by following the teachings found in muhkamat and mutashabihat verses. This keeps them from getting lost or confused.
How Many Mutashabihat in Quran?
When exploring how many Mutashabihat in Quran, scholars have classified them into three main types to help in understanding their nature:
-
Mutashabihat in meaning
These are very common, such as descriptions of the Day of Judgment and the rewards of Paradise.
For example, Allah says:
“إِذَا ٱلشَّمْسُ كُوِّرَتْ ١ وَإِذَا ٱلنُّجُومُ ٱنكَدَرَتْ ٢ وَإِذَا ٱلْجِبَالُ سُيِّرَتْ ٣ وَإِذَا ٱلْعِشَارُ عُطِّلَتْ ٤ وَإِذَا ٱلْوُحُوشُ حُشِرَتْ ٥٦”
“When the sun is put out, and when the stars fall down, and when the mountains are blown away, and when pregnant camels are left untended,1and when wild beasts are gathered together,1”
The scholars understand the general meanings of these descriptions, but the details—such as how, when, and where these events will occur—remain known only to Allah.
-
Mutashabihat in Wording
This includes several types, such as
- Similarity through advancement and delay, where a word, phrase, or clause is moved forward or backward, or where the order of related elements differs.
- Similarity through substitution, where a letter, word, or phrase is replaced with another.
- Similarity through addition and omission, involving the inclusion or exclusion of certain letters or words.
- Similarity through singular and plural forms, or through masculine and feminine expressions.
- Similarity through definiteness and indefiniteness, or through explicit and implicit wording.
- Similarity through concise and detailed styles.
- Similarity through possessive structures or lack thereof.
- Similarity through differences in morphological forms, including variations like separation and merging of words and the use of past or present tense.
Examples of Mutashabihat in wording:
| Example 1 |
“قُلْ فَأْتُوا۟ بِسُورَةٍۢ مِّثْلِهِۦ” “Produce one surah like it then.” |
“فَأْتُوا۟ بِسُورَةٍۢ مِّن مِّثْلِهِۦ” “Then produce a surah like it.” |
| Example 2 |
“وَمَآ أُهِلَّ بِهِۦ لِغَيْرِ ٱللَّهِ ۖ ” “and what is slaughtered in the name of any other than Allah” |
“وَمَآ أُهِلَّ لِغَيْرِ ٱللَّهِ بِهِۦ
|
-
Mutashabihat in both wording and meaning:
These include various types, such as the disjointed letters (al-muqattaʿat) that appear at the beginning of 29 surahs in the Quran.
An example is the combination (آلم) (Alif-Lam-Meem), which appears at the beginning of six surahs.
After understanding the types of Mutashabihat in the Quran, we can say that the ِnumber of Mutashabihat verses is very large and cannot be precisely counted.
Conclusion
Understanding the Muhkamat and Mutashabihat verses is a fundamental step toward deep reflection on the Holy Quran with knowledge and certainty. Remaining steadfast regarding the Mutashabihat and guided by the Muhkamat leads to firm faith and a true understanding of Allah’s words.
To deepen your knowledge of the Quran, Tafsir, Arabic language, and Hadith studies, Rahiq Academy offers specialized courses led by a distinguished group of
scholars Start your educational journey now with Rahiq Academy and let the light of the Quran guide your path!
