Muhkam and Mutashabih — The Clear and the Ambiguous
terms
Level: intermediate
quran-sciences
trm-003
فَأَمَّا ٱلَّذِينَ فِي قُلُوبِهِمۡ زَيۡغٌ فَيَتَّبِعُونَ مَا تَشَٰبَهَ مِنۡهُ
— آل عمران 7
Verse: "In it are explicit (muhkam) verses — they are the Book's foundation — and others ambiguous (mutashabih)." (3:7)
Muhkam: Clear, single-interpretation — the Book's foundation.
Mutashabih: Multiple interpretations or meaning known only to Allah — like disconnected letters and divine attribute verses.
Wisdom: Distinguishes grounded scholars (who believe and don't force interpretation) from those with deviation (who follow ambiguous verses seeking discord).
Source: Al-Suyuti (3/3); Al-Zarkashi (2/69); Ibn Kathir (2/7)
Question: What is the difference between muhkam and mutashabih?
Answer: Muhkam: clear, single interpretation — the Book's foundation. Mutashabih: multiple interpretations or knowledge exclusive to Allah.