Āl-‘Imrān 3:7
The verse
He it is Who hath revealed unto thee (Muhammad) the Scripture wherein are clear revelations - they are the substance of the Book - and others (which are) allegorical. But those in whose hearts is doubt pursue, forsooth, that which is allegorical seeking (to cause) dissension by seeking to explain it. None knoweth its explanation save Allah. And those who are of sound instruction say: We believe therein; the whole is from our Lord; but only men of understanding really heed. — Marmaduke Pickthall
The issue
This verse states that some of the verses of the Qur’ān are muhkamāt (“decisive”) and others are mutashābihāt (“similar, allegorical, or ambiguous”). The muhkamāt verses are of established meaning, without a need for interpretation, while the mutashābihāt verses can have more than one interpretation.
However, this statement contradicts another one that states that all the verses of the Qur’ān are muhkamāt, “a Book, whose verses are made decisive…” (Shakir trans. Q 11.1).
Arabic text of this item
تقول الآية إن بعض آيَات القرآن <مُّحْكَمَاتٌ> و<أُخَرُ مُتَشَابِهَات>. والآيات المحكمات: آيات قاطعة المعنى، لا حاجة لتأويلها؛ والآيات المتشابهات: آيات قابلة لأكثر من تفسير.
ولكن البيان الوارد هنا يتعارض مع بيان آخر يقول إنّ جميع آيات القرآن مُّحْكَمَاتٌ: <كِتَابٌ أُحْكِمَتْ آيَاتُهُ> (هود 11: 1).
Sources cited
Sources added in review (the original item cited none)
- al-Qurṭubī, al-Jāmiʿ li-aḥkām al-Qurʾān, on Q 3:7 · link checked 2026-10-12