MUTASHÂBIHÂT – متشابهات
Literally: Mutually resembling. Similar. Comparisons. Allegories. Metaphors. Ambiguous.
As a term in fiqh: It is the âyahs in the Qur’an and the hadiths that have unclear, metaphorical, or ambiguous meanings due to the universality or subtlety of the haqiqah they contain. Expressions not meant to be taken literally but used to illustrate these truths through similes, comparisons, or representations are referred to as mutashabihât. For example, certain expressions about Allah or other ‘âlams and the like. These metaphorical expressions, comparisons, and similes convey a haqiqah that is unknown and unfamiliar to mankind and beyond human comprehension by employing concepts that are both known and familiar to them.
Future events, which are not included in the fundamental matters of îmân that all Muslims are obligated to believe in, such as the signs of qiyâmah, are also mentioned in the hadiths in the form of mutashabihât.
Unlike the muhkamât of the Qur’an and hadith al-qudsî1, mutashabihât require ta’wîl2 , not tafsir.
As stated in the âyah (Qur’an 3:7), only those ulama well-grounded in ‘ilm can explain mutashabihât through the protection, favour and grace of Allah.
1 [Hadith al-Qudsî: The hadith of the Prophet Muhammad (asm), in which the meaning is revealed by Allah and the phrasing is formulated by the Prophet (asm).] (Tr.)
2 (Ta’wîl: The explanation of the possible meaning of an allegoric or figurative expression that is mutashabihât, by stating that “This may be the possible meaning. It is possible that what is meant by this expression is this …”
A group of mufassir said that the word ta’wîl is derived from the verb اول (awl), which means to return, to revert; thus, ta’wîl refers to returning to the original meaning of a word. It involves explaining an âyah or hadith with a real analogy.
Another group said that it is derived from the word ايالت , which means governing, administration, or rule; accordingly, ta’wîl is subjugating one’s mind and thought to study the mysteries of an âyah or hadith so as to reveal its intended meaning.) (Tr.)