29. The Kitaab is the noble Qur’an revealed to our Messenger Muhammad (PBUH) on the tongue of Jibreel. The Kitaab is that which has been transmitted to us between the two binds of the Mus-haf in the seven Harfs (“recitations”) through a mutawaatir transmission.

30. What has been transmitted to us from the Noble Qur’an is a mutawaatir transmission. We know that this is Qur’an and only this is a proof. As for what has been narrated to us as ahaad (single narrations), such as the Mus-haf of Ibn Mas’ud and others, they are not a proof. This is because the Prophet (PBUH) was entrusted to convey what had been revealed to him from the Noble Qur’an to a group whose speech would be decisive proof. It cannot be imagined that those whose speech is a decisive proof would agree to not transmit something they had heard. If we find something not transmitted by those whose speech is a decisive proof, then it is a single narration, which is not recognised (as decisive proof) This is because it has come in a manner other than that which the Messenger (PBUH) has been entrusted to convey, in terms of it being of singular transmission. This is unlike the way the Messenger (PBUH) conveyed the Qur’an, where he conveyed it to many Muslims who would memorise it and whose speech would be a decisive proof; this is beside his order for it to be written.

31. The Noble Qur’an does not have a zaahir (outer) or baatin (secret) meaning. It is an Arabic speech, which has come in the tongue of the Arabs. He (SWTH) said:

“We have sent it down as an Arabic Qur’ân” [Yusuf: 2] And He (SWTH) said:

“In the plain Arabic language” [Ash-Shu’araa’: 195] It is understood the same way as any Arabic speech is understood. What Allah intends by the Qur’an is what has been expressed by the Noble Qur’an itself; Allah (SWTH) did not intend anything other than what was expressed. His intention is only understood from understanding of the syntax. Thus,

the intention of Allah (SWTH) is only what was expressed. The Arabic meaning is what Allah (SWTH) intended in His speech, which He expressed in the Arabic words and Arabic style. Accordingly, the import of the speech is what the speech indicated, through the linguistic proofs and the Shar’ee indication mentioned in the Kitaab or Sunnah. This has no ‘outer’ or ‘inner’; it rather has a meaning indicated by the Arabic speech, through the Arabic understanding of the Arabic words and Arabic styles.

32. The Qur’an is composed of aayaat which are MuHkamaat (clearcut) and aayaat which are mutashaabihaat (ambiguous), due to the saying of Allah (SWTH):

“In it are Verses that are entirely clear, they are the foundations of the Book; and others not entirely clear.” [Aali ‘Imraan: 7] As for the MuHkam part, it is the text whose meaning is apparent and clear such that it precludes the possibility of having any other meaning, i.e. its indication is explicit and not open to interpretation, Such as the saying of Alla (SWTH):

Allah has permitted trading and forbidden Riba (usury).” [Al-Baqarah: 275] And His (SWTH) saying:

“Cut off (from the wrist joint) the (right) hand of the thief, male or female.” [Al- Maa`idah: 38] And His (SWTH) saying:

“And there is (a saving of) life for you in Al-Qisas (the Law of Equality in punishment), O men of understanding” [Al-Baqarah: 179] As for the mutashaabih part, it is the opposite of muhkam. It is the text which is open to more than one meaning, i.e. where the possible meanings conflict. It is open to a number of conflicting meanings. For example,

“And divorced women shall wait (as regards their marriage) for three menstrual periods.” [Al-Baqarah: 228] He (SWTH) said:

“unless they (the women) agree to forego it, or he (the husband), in whose hands is the marriage tie.” [Al-Baqarah: 237] He (SWTH) said:

“or you have been in contact with women.” [Al-Maa’idah: 5] He (SWTH) said:

“And the Face of your Lord full of Majesty and Honour will abide forever.” [Ar-Rahman: 27] He (SWTH) said:

“For verily, you are under Our Eyes.” [Al-Tur: 48] He (SWTH) also said:

“from Our Handiwork” [Yaaseen: 71], and other such examples whose wording have a number of conflicting meanings and cannot be reconciled. Rather they need a linguistic qareenah (linkage), which would specify one of the meanings. It might also have an apparent meaning that implies anthropomorphisation (of Allah (SWTH)), a matter that is not possible, either rationally or by shar’, for the word to indicate. So, it needs a linguistic or shar’ee qareenah (linkage) to determine the intended meaning.