Definition:
Al-Huruf al-Muqattaah (disconnected letters / fawatih): the alphabetic letters that open some surahs — like Alif-Lam-Mim, Alif-Lam-Ra, Ha-Mim, Ya-Sin, Ta-Ha, Kaf-Ha-Ya-Ayn-Sad, Ha-Mim-Ayn-Sin-Qaf.
There are 29 Arabic letters — 29 surahs open with them.
Schools of interpretation:
- Suspension of judgment (Companions and Imams in one narration): Among the knowledge Allah has reserved — we believe in them without interpreting them. Al-Shabi said: "The secret of Allah in His Book."
- Names of the surahs or the Quran: Opinion of Ibn Abbas and others.
- Names of Allah: "Alif-Lam-Ra" = "Ana Allah Ara" (I am Allah, I see). Weak opinion without chain of authority.
- Letters indicating inimitability: The Quran is composed of letters you know yet you are incapable of matching it. Preferred by Al-Farra, Al-Zajjaj, and most critical scholars.
- Letters standing for divine names: "Alif-Lam-Mim" = Allah, Latif, Majid. Narrated but weak.
Strongest view: Combining suspension of judgment with the indication of inimitability — they are mutashabih whose knowledge Allah has reserved; they are recited as they came, with faith and seeking reward.
Question: List five opinions on the disconnected letters. What is the strongest view among critical scholars?
Answer: Suspension — names of surahs — names of Allah — indication of inimitability — abbreviations of names. Strongest: combining suspension with pointing to Quranic inimitability through familiar letters.