Al-Qur'an terdiri daripada Ayat-ayat yang Muhkamaat (jelas dan tegas) dan Ayat-ayat yang Mutashaabihaat (samar-samar), berdasarkan firman Allah (SWT):

The Qur‟an is composed of Ayat which are Muhkamaat (clearcut) and Ayat which are Mutashaabihaat (ambiguous), due to the saying of Allah (swt):

"Di dalamnya terdapat ayat-ayat yang muhkamat (jelas maknanya), itulah pokok-pokok isi Al-Kitab; dan yang lain mutasyabihat (tidak jelas maknanya)." (TMQ Al-Imran: 7)

“In it are Verses that are entirely clear, they are the foundations of the Book; and others not entirely clear.” (TMQ Al-Imran: 7)

Adapun bahagian Muhkam (jelas), ia ialah teks yang maknanya nyata dan terang sehingga menafikan kemungkinan mempunyai makna lain, iaitu petunjuknya jelas dan tidak terbuka kepada tafsiran. Seperti firman Allah (SWT):

As for the Muhkam (clear) 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 Allah (swt):

"Allah telah menghalalkan jual beli dan mengharamkan riba." (TMQ Al-Baqarah: 275)

“Allah has permitted trading and forbidden Riba (usury).” (TMQ Al-Baqarah: 275)

"Potonglah (dari sendi pergelangan tangan) tangan (kanan) pencuri, lelaki mahupun perempuan."

“Cut off (from the wrist joint) the (right) hand of the thief, male or female.” (TMQ Al-Ma‟ida: 38)

"Dan dalam hukum qisas itu ada kehidupan bagi kamu, wahai orang-orang yang berakal." (TMQ Al-Baqarah: 179)

“And there is (a saving of) life for you in Al-Qisas (the Law of Equality in punishment), O men of understanding.” (TMQ Al-Baqarah: 179)

Adapun bahagian Mutasyabih (samar), ia adalah lawan kepada Muhkam. Ia ialah teks yang terbuka kepada lebih daripada satu makna. Ia terbuka kepada beberapa makna yang bercanggah. Contohnya:

As for the Mutashaabih (ambiguous) part, it is the opposite of Muhkam. It is the text which is open to more than one meaning. It is open to a number of conflicting meanings. For example:

"Dan wanita-wanita yang dicerai hendaklah menahan diri (daripada berkahwin) selama tiga kali quru'."

“And divorced women shall wait (as regards their marriage) for three menstrual periods.” (TMQ Al-Baqarah: 228)

“Melainkan jika mereka (para wanita) memaafkannya, atau dia (suami), yang di tangannya terdapat ikatan nikah.” (TMQ Al-Baqarah: 237)

“Unless they (the women) agree to forego it, or he (the husband), in whose hands is the marriage tie.” (TMQ Al-Baqarah: 237)

"Atau kamu telah bersentuh dengan perempuan." (TMQ Al-Ma'idah: 6)

“Or you have been in contact with women.” (TMQ Al-Ma‟ida: 6)

"Dan Wajah Tuhanmu yang mempunyai Kebesaran dan Kemuliaan akan kekal abadi." (QS Ar-Rahman: 27)

“And the Face of your Lord full of Majesty and Honour will abide forever.” (TMQ Ar-Rahman: 27)

"Sesungguhnya engkau berada dalam pemeliharaan Kami." (TMQ At-Tur: 48)

“For verily, you are under Our Eyes.” (TMQ At-Tur: 48)

Dan Dia (swt) juga berfirman:

He (swt) also said:

"Daripada Hasil Tangan Kami" (TMQ Ya-Sin: 71)

“From Our Handiwork” (TMQ Ya-Seen: 71)

Dan contoh-contoh lain seumpamanya, yang lafaznya mempunyai beberapa makna yang bertentangan dan tidak dapat didamaikan. Sebaliknya, ia memerlukan Qareenah (petunjuk) linguistik yang akan menentukan salah satu daripada makna tersebut. Ia juga mungkin mempunyai makna zahir yang membawa kepada penyerupaan Allah (SWT) dengan makhluk, perkara yang tidak mungkin, sama ada secara akal atau menurut Syara', untuk lafaz tersebut menunjukkannya. Oleh itu, ia memerlukan Qareenah (petunjuk) linguistik atau Syar'i untuk menentukan maksud yang dikehendaki.

And other such examples, whose wording have a number of conflicting meanings cannot be reconciled. Rather they need a linguistic Qareenah (indication), which would specify one of the meanings. It might also have an apparent meaning that implies anthropomorphisation of Allah (swt), a matter that is not possible, either rationally or by Shar‟a, for the word to indicate. So, it needs a linguistic or Shar‟i Qareenah (indication) to determine the intended meaning.