Page 37 - Ulum Al Quran An Introduction To The Sciences Of The Quran

'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 allegorical, seeking discord
and searching for its hidden meanings, but no one knows its 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-Qur'an
3: 7).

Here muhkamat and mutashabihat are described as follows:

muhkama:

 Something of which knowledge was desired.

 Something with only one dimension.

 Something sufflcient in meaning, requiring no further explanation.

mutashabihat:

 Something known to Allah only.

 Something with more than one dimension.

 Something requiring further explanation.

Hence in the Qur'an those ayat dealing with halal and haram, punishments, inheritance, promise and threat, etc.belong to
the muhkamat, while those concerning the attributes of Allah, the true nature of the resurrection, judgement and life
after death etc. belong to the mutashabihat.

General and Specific
Some verses of the Qur'an are of a very wide, general application (al-'am), e.g. including all human beings, or all Muslims
etc. Other ayat are restricted in their application to certain special circumstances only (al-khas).
'Every soul shall have a taste of death' (Al-Qur'an 3: 185)

'Let there be no obscenity, nor wickedness nor wrangling in the Hajj' (Al-Qur'an 2:187).

'God (thus) directs you as regards your children (inheritance)' (Al-Qur'an 4: 11).

Furthermore one also distinguishes between 'general verses' which remain general, and others which intend a specific
meaning.

'Pilgrimage thereto is a duty man owes to God- those who can afford the journey' (Al-Qur'an
3: 97).

Of the 'special meanings' there are several varieties. Usually some kind of condition or limitation is specified.

'Your step-daughters under your guardianship, born of your wives to whom you have gone
in' (Al-Qur'an 4: 23).
'It is prescribed when death approaches any one of you, if you leave any goods that he make
a bequest to parents and next of kin' (Al-Qur'an 2: 180).

'So keep away from the women in their courses, and do not approach them until they are
clean' (Al-Qur'an 2: 222).

'Free' and 'Bound' Verses

Some of the ahkam verses are valid, 'free' (mutlaq) from any conditions or circumstances, while others are 'bound'
(muqayyad) to special conditions or situations, and apply only therein.