While the entire Muslim world reads the Qur'an day and night, and while their scholars claim to be able to explain and understand the majority of its verses, there is an anomaly that they tend to conveniently skip, where God gives very specific information about the nature of the Qur'an itself:
“He is the One who sent down to you the Book, from which there are firm verses (Muhkam)-they are the essence of the Book-and others which are similar (Mutashabih). As for those who have a disease in their hearts, they follow that of it which is similar, seeking to confuse, and seeking to derive an interpretation. But none know its interpretation except God, and those who are well founded in knowledge; they say: ‘We believe in it, all is from our Lord.’ And none will remember except those who possess intelligence.” (Qur’an 3:7)
When we ask the people what they think God means in 3:7, the average answer we receive is "yes, there are straightforward verses - and these are the core, and other verses that could have multiple-meanings."
Pickthall: 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.
However, is that really what God has said? Did He say that some verses in the Book are straightforward and some are allegoric? And if so, who is the person that determines which are which (or is it a free for all where everyone can make their own choices?). It would seem to be pretty bizarre if that is what God were teaching us, and in fact, it would just create more confusion to a nation that is already terribly confused!
This type of lazy thinking not only brushes off what is a critical piece of information about the Qur'an, but t also is contradictory as the when we dig a little deeper, we find that the entire Qur'an can be 'blocked-off' to the user if he/she is not sincere:
"And when you read the Qur'an, We place between you and those who do not believe in the Hereafter an unseen veil. And we place shields over their hearts, that they should not understand it, and a deafness in their ears. And if you mention your Lord in the Qur'an alone, they run away turning their backs in aversion" (Qur'an 17:45-46)
Two Books in the Qur’an
The simplest deduction from 3:7 is that the Qur'an can be split into "two" categories (the "firm" verses" and the similar" verses") and that the believers and those who are sincere should carry out the instructions in the "firm" verses, while those who harbor doubt or are not following the proper instructions will try yo carry out the instructions in the "similar" verses - creating confusion and being misled rather than being led.
This notion that there are "two books" is openly stated in the Qur'an itself:
"God has sent down the best narrative, a Book that is similar, but dual. The skins of those who are concerned towards their Lord shiver from it, then their skins and their hearts soften up to the remembrance of God. Such is the guidance of God; He guides with it whoever He wills. And for whoever God misguides, then none can guide him." (Qur'an 39:23)
Just like the Torah is a collection of different "books," so to is the Qur'an telling us that it is also a collection of "at least two books" and that to truly implement it the proper sequencing of study must be applied.
Which is Which?
Knowing that the Qur’an is indeed a compilation of Books, and knowing that one of these Books is the ‘Muhkam Verses’, the question presents itself: How do we know which it is?
“He is the One who sent down to you the Book, from which there are firm verses (Muhkam)-they are the essence of the Book-and others which are similar (Mutashabih). As for those who have a disease in their hearts, they follow that of it which is similar, seeking to confuse, and seeking to derive an interpretation. But none know its interpretation except God, and those who are well founded in knowledge; they say: ‘We believe in it, all is from our Lord.’ And none will remember except those who possess intelligence.” (Qur’an 3:7)
We can state with complete confidence that verse 3:7 must be a "muhkam/firm" verse since it is the one giving us the definition of the muhkam/mutashabih.
“And those who believe say: "If only a chapter is sent down!" But when a fixed (Muhkam) chapter is sent down, and fighting is mentioned in it, you see those who have a disease in their hearts look at you, as if death had already come to them. It thus revealed them.” (Qur’an 47:20)
We can further state, from 47:20, that the "Muhkam" come in the form of Suras/Chapters.
We can also state from 47:20 that there is a sura/chapter in the Qur’an where warfare/fighting has been decreed and that this chapter is a "muhkam/firm" chapter.
“Warfare has been decreed for you while you hate it; and perhaps you may hate something while it is good for you, and perhaps you may love something while it is bad for you; and God knows while you do not know.” (Qur’an 2:216)
Chapter 2 is the longest and one of the most detailed chapters in the Qur’an, and we can state for a certainty that it is a ‘firm/muhkam’ chapter based on it being the only one containing the decree for warfare.
“ALR, a Book in which its revelations have been made fixed (Uhkimat), then detailed, from One who is Wise, Expert.” (Qur’an 11:1)
Verse 11:1 speaks of a Book whose verses have been made ‘fixed’, thus implying that the chapter itself is ‘fixed/muhkam’.
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Chapter 2 = firm/fixed
Chapter 3 = firm/fixed
Chapter 11 = firm/fixed
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The Initialed Suras/Chapters
A common fact to the composition of the Holy Book are the unique ‘initials’ that dominate 29 Suras/Chapters and which have been explored in the article ’19: Fact or Fiction?’
The reason this subject is being referred to here is that the 3 chapters that have been flagged as being ‘firm’ all have the common trait of being from the ‘initialed chapters’ which populate 29 chapters of the Qur’an:
| No. | Chapter No. | Quranic Initials |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | A.L.M. |
| 2 | 3 | A.L.M. |
| 3 | 7 | A.L.M.S'. |
| 4 | 10 | A.L.R. |
| 5 | 11 | A.L.R. |
| 6 | 12 | A.L.R. |
| 7 | 13 | A.L.M.R. |
| 8 | 14 | A.L.R. |
| 9 | 15 | A.L.R. |
| 10 | 19 | K.H.Y.A'.S'. |
| 11 | 20 | T'.H. |
| 12 | 26 | T'.S.M. |
| 13 | 27 | T'.S. |
| 14 | 28 | T.S.M. |
| 15 | 29 | A.L.M. |
| 16 | 30 | A.L.M. |
| 17 | 31 | A.L.M. |
| 18 | 32 | A.L.M. |
| 19 | 36 | Y.S. |
| 20 | 38 | S'. |
| 21 | 40 | H'.M. |
| 22 | 41 | H'.M. |
| 23 | 42 | H'.M.A'.S.Q. |
| 24 | 43 | H'.M. |
| 25 | 44 | H'.M. |
| 26 | 45 | H'.M. |
| 27 | 46 | H'.M. |
| 28 | 50 | Q. |
| 29 | 68 | N. |
Could it simply be that all the 29 initialed chapters form the ‘firm’ verses of the Qur’an, while the remaining 85 chapters represent the ‘similar/mutashabih’ verses?
What About The Difference in Initials?
In the table of initialed verses, any reader will notice that there are a total of 13 combinations (ALM/ALMS’/ALR/ALMR/KHYA’S’/TH/TSM/TS/YS/S’/HMA’SQ/Q/N). It can only be speculated at this stage, that each combination represents a “type of book” and that the letters are akin to mathematical sets where intersection indicates common traits, for example:
“ALM. These are the signs of the Book of Wisdom.” (Qur’an 31:1-2)
“ALR, these are the signs of the Book of Wisdom.” (Qur’an 10:1)
“ALR, these are the signs of the Book of Clarity.” (Qur’an 12:2)
“T'SM. These are the signs of the Book of Clarity.” (Qur’an 26:1-2)
“T'SM. These are the signs of the Book of Clarity.” (Qur’an 28:1-2)
“T'SM. These are the signs of the Book of Clarity. (Qur’an 26:1-2)
This reasoning tells us that all Suras/Chapters with “ALM” represent the “Book of Wisdom,” while all Suras/Chapters with “ALR” represent both the “Book of Wisdom” and the “Book of Clarity”, while all “T’SM” Suras/Chapters represent the “Book of Clarity”, etc.
The qualities and features of each Book is not within the scope of this article, however, it would be an interesting exercise to match the qualities of each Book based on its common initials.
Where are the Controversial Verses?
Keeping in mind the premise that initialed Suras/Chapters are being presented as the ‘Muhkam Verses,’ and that the remaining 85 Suras/Chapters are being presented as the ‘Mutashabih Verses,’ then according to 3:7, that would mean that there are elements within those 85 Suras/Chapters where those with a disease in their hearts would find ammunition to mislead others…
Below is a short compilation of some verses that have been misused by various groups and sects over the centuries to justify abuse, injustice, war, or outright idolatry:
- Cutting off the hands of thieves (found in 5:38). This interpretation has proven to be in error as it ignores the story of Joseph and his brother in dealing with theft under God’s law.
- Taking the words of the Prophet as law (found in 59:7). This verse specifically deals with the Prophet distributing the ‘spoils of war’ and was never for the following of man-made laws.
- Marrying more than one wife (found in 4:3). This verse ignores the condition of ‘orphans’ being the subject matter for polygamy as a form of social justice rather than sexual adventure.
- Beating women into obedience (found in 4:34).
- Fighting the non-believers until they pay a ‘tax’ (found in 9:29). The subject deals with the groups who have fought the believers and are required to pay ‘reparations’.
- The misunderstanding for women to cover their heads (24:31).
- Keeping women at home in emulation of the Prophet’s wives (33:33).
- Constantly praising and revering the Prophet in a misunderstanding of the command (33:56).
The list can be expanded, however, the common thread that all these controversial verses have is that they all occur in the ‘non-initialed chapters.’
Conclusion
“He is the One who sent down to you the Book, from which there are fixed verses (Muhkam)-they are the Mother of the Book-and others which are equivalent (Mutashabih). As for those who have a disease in their hearts, they follow that of it which is equivalent, seeking to confuse, and seeking to derive an interpretation. But none know its interpretation except God, and those who are well founded in knowledge; they say: ‘We believe in it, all is from our Lord.’ And none will remember except those who possess intelligence.” (Qur’an 3:7)
The author of the Qur’an would not have given us such instructions on how to study and apply His Book unless such instructions could be easily understood and applied. By believing that the ‘Mutashabih’ are ‘Allegoric’ and thus subject to subjectivity, or that ‘none know them except Allah,’ or that we do not need to know the difference between them, etc. is to speak in ignorance against God’s words and instructions which are meant to guide and save us from our wrongdoings and ignorance.
This brief study has, God willing, shown that the Qur’an is a collection of ‘Books,’ and that two of these books, the ‘Muhkam’ and the ‘Mutashabih,’ can be identified very easily by the prefix that begins each chapter.
What this means from a theological point of view is that the general population that is seeking the religion of Islam/Submission can be content with following the rules and guidelines and taking lessons from the stories and narrations contained with the 29 chapters of the ‘Book of Wisdom/Clarity’. The implications of which can be highlighted as follows:
- The story of our creation and journey to Earth is addressed in detail (2:29-39)
- The stories of the Prophets and the history of Moses and the Children of Israel is given (2:40)
- The People of the Book are addressed in great detail to remind them of their covenant (3:187)
- The requirement for paradise is simply to believe in God and live a good life (2:62)
- Dietary prohibitions are limited to the 4 basic rules (2:173)
- The laws of marriage, divorce, finance, testimony, and all the major requirements for a functioning and dynamic society have been covered.
Perhaps with this advancement and simplification of our understanding, humanity will be able to come together and unite around the ‘Muhkam’ of the Qur’an which has at its core a message of peace, brotherhood, piety, morality, and justice.
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Written for Free-Minds.Org
