A.

Define Muhkamat and Mutashabihat with some clear example

The literal meaning of Muhkamat ayat is solid ,compact,precise and accurate.The word
muhkamat ( singular-muhkama) is derived from the root ukhima which means to decide
between two things.It is a verbal noun in the plural meaning judgements.decisions and in
technical language refers to all clearly decided verses of the Quran,mostly those concerning
legal rulings,obligations,and other clear definitions such as between truth and falsehood.1

According to Sayyid Mawdudi, Muhkamat ayat contain the language that is self-explanatorya
and it provides no room for any confusion over the meaning.They include comdemnation of
errors,clarification of the right path, fundamental principles of Islamic scheme of
life,beliefs,devotional matters,moral values,obligations and right and wrong deeds.

As Muhkam also means that has been made firmly and perfectly, the verses are embodied in a
clear language whose meaning is not ambiguous.It implies admonition and instruction as well
as the refutation of invalid doctrines and shed light on the correct way.2

An example of Muhkamat :

‘O you who believe! When ye deal with each other, in transactions involving future obligations,
in a fixed period of time, reduce them to writing.Let a scribe write down faithfully as between
the parties …’ ( Al-Qur’an 2:282)

We can clearly see in the muhkamat ayat above how Allah shows man how to deal rightfully
with economic affairs in order to secure a trust between two person who is involved in
transaction.There must be an agreement written by a scribe to establish the proof of transaction.

The Quran says of itself that it contains two kinds of ayat, both which are fundamental
components of the book and both must be accepted :

‘He it is who has sent down to thee the Book : in it are verses basic or fundamental (of
established meaning) ; they are the foundation of the book : others are allegorical, that is those
in whose hearts is perversity follow the part thereof that is allerogical, seeking discord and
searching for its hidden meanings, but no one knows it hidden meanings except God and those
who are firmly grounded in knowledge say: “We believe in the book ; the whole of it is from
our Lord;” and none will grasp the message except men of understanding’ (Al-Quran 3:7)

1
Ahmad Von Denffer, Ulum al Qur’an : An Introduction to the Sciences of Quran,2009, p 35
2
Niran (Imran) Pantharakit, The Koranic Hermeneutics, p 2
According to the ayat above, Muhkama is described as something of which knowledge was
desired, contains only one dimension and sufficient in meaning, requiring no further
explanation.While, Mutashabihat shows that it is something known to Allah only,more than
one dimension and requires further explanation.So, those who refer to the Muhkam ayat to
understand the Mutashabih ayat will have acquired the correct guidance and vice versa.

Whereas , in a commentary on Al-Quran made by al-Tabari, he mentioned five early

interpretations for what constitutes the clear and ambiguous verses.Among these five, he
preferred interpretation is that the muhkamat are those verses that may be interpreted and
understood by religious scholars (ulama’) whilst the mutashabihat are those verses that may be
interpreted only by God.This includes the disconnected letters occurring at the beginning of
several chapters of the Quran or verses pertaining to future eschatological events.3

Focusing on Mutashabihat, it is derived from the root ‘ishtabaha’ meaning ‘to be doubtful’.It
is a verbal noun in the plural, meaning uncertain or doubtful things.In technical language it
refers to those verses of the Qur’an the meanings of which are not clear or completely agreed
upon, but open to two or more interpretations.

The technical meaning is divided between two camps of scholars over the term
Mutashabih.One of them linking to the word Tashabuh or Shubhah believes that the ayat of the
Quran that is Mutashabihat may give various meanings leading one to doubt and
suspicion.Whilst, the other defines Mutashabihat as those ayat that are expressed in an
illustrative manner with a meaning that is implied metaphorically but not directly.

An example of Mutashabihat ayat :

‘…But we found the heaven filled with mighty guards and flames (shuhuba)’ (Al-Jinn 72:8)

By referring to the ayat above, it is explaining about the unseen realities which is above human
expectation and ability to imagine those things.Hence, the real position of these flames in
known only to their Creator and Controller.

According to Sayyid Mawdudi, ayat Mutashabihat are those passages of Al-Quran which deal
with supernatural,invisible,unseen,unheard and unimagined realities using such language as to
help man to develop an understanding of Allah’s power or creativity and
omnipotence. 4 Whereas, Amin Ahsan Islahi stated that Mutashabihat are ayat dealing

3
Kristin Sands,Sufi Commentaries on the Qur’an in Classical Islam, p 15
4
Mawdudi, op.cit, Vol 1, P 234
metaphorically with matters which lie beyond human observation and perception.These
matters could be understood by the human mind only to the extent of necessity.Attributes and
acts of Allah and the things related to the hereafter life fall under Mutashabihat category.They
are all unseen and imperceptible to man.That is why the Quran describes such matters through
metaphor and simile5.

B. Does anyone know Mutashabihat? Explain.

No one knows about Mutashabihat except the God alone.Only Allah know the true ta’wil
(interpretation) of the mutashabihat.Ta’wil has two meanings in the Quran, the true reality of
things and what they will turn out to be.

The mutashabihat are those verses whose meanining is known to God alone such as the nature
of resurrection,the judgement day and the life after death.6

According to Surah Al-Imran :7

‘It is He who has sent down to you, [O Muhammad], the Book ; in it are Ayaat [that are] precise
– they are the foundation of the Book – and others unspecific.As for those whose hearts is
deviation [frum truth], they will follow that of it which is unspecific,seeking discord and
seeking an interpretation [suitable to them-.And no one knows its [true] interpretation except
Allah.But those firm in knowledge say ‘We believe in it.All [of it] is from our Lord.’And no
one will be reminded except those of understanding.’

Similarly as preceded in what has been reported from Ibn Abbas, “Tafsir id of four types :
Tafsir that the Arabs know in their language, Tafsir that no one is excused of being ignorant
of ; Tafsir that the scholars know ; and Tafsir that only Allah knows”7

Although maybe no one really knows the exact meaning behind mutashabihat ayat, in the above
ayat it is directed to the [rasikhoon] who are the scholars that are firm in their knowledge that
they might not know the exact true reality but they can hint at it as they have spent many years
in studying the Quran.The word Rasikhoon is from the root word ra-seen-kha which means “to
be firm, stable and rooted”.When the rasikhoon come across a Mutashabih ayat instead of
questioning Allah’s wisdom, they say, “ We believe in it”.They say “all of of it is from our
Lord” as they know that whatever Allah has recorded in the Qur’an is free from contradiction.

5
Amin Ahsan Islahi,op.cit.,vol II,PP 27-8
6
Ian Richard Netton,Encyclopaedia of Islam, p 443
7
At-Tabari 1:75