Al-Qur'an Surah Ali 'Imran Verse 7

Mufti Taqi Usmani

He is the One who has revealed to you the Book (the Qur’ān). Out of it there are verses that are MuHkamāt (of established meaning), which are the principal verses of the Book, and some others are Mutashābihāt (whose definite meanings are unknown). Now those who have perversity in their hearts go after such part of it as is mutashābih, seeking (to create) discord, and searching for its interpretation (that meets their desires), while no one knows its interpretation except Allah; and those well-grounded in knowledge say: “We believe therein; all is from our Lord.” Only the men of understanding observe the advice.

Dr. Mustafa Khattab, the Clear Quran

He is the One Who has revealed to you ˹O Prophet˺ the Book, of which some verses are precise—they are the foundation of the Book—while others are elusive.[[ The precise verses are easy to understand and deal mostly with matters of belief and practice, such as the belief in one God (Sûrah 112), forbidden foods (see {5:3}), and the commandments in {6:151}-152 and {17:23}-39. As for the elusive verses, their full meaning is known only to Allah, such as the meaning of letter combinations at the beginning of some sûrahs, such as Alif-Lãm-Mĩm (see Stylistic Features), and how Allah settles Himself on the Throne.]] Those with deviant hearts follow the elusive verses seeking ˹to spread˺ doubt through their ˹false˺ interpretations—but none grasps their ˹full˺ meaning except Allah. As for those well-grounded in knowledge, they say, “We believe in this ˹Quran˺—it is all from our Lord.” But none will be mindful ˹of this˺ except people of reason.

Ruwwad Translation Center

It is He Who has sent down to you the Book. In it are definite verses, which are the foundation of the Book; while others are ambiguous. Those with deviant hearts follow the ambiguous verses, seeking discord and seeking their [false] interpretation. But no one knows their [true] interpretation except Allah. And those who are well-grounded in knowledge say, “We believe in it. It is all from our Lord.” None will take heed except people of understanding.

A. J. Arberry

It is He who sent down upon thee the Book, wherein are verses clear that are the Essence of the Book, and others ambiguous. As for those in whose hearts is swerving, they follow the ambiguous part, desiring dissension, and desiring its interpretation; and none knows its interpretation, save only God. And those firmly rooted in knowledge say, 'We believe in it; all is from our Lord'; yet none remembers, but men possessed of minds.

Abdul Haleem

it is He who has sent this Scripture down to you [Prophet]. Some of its verses are definite in meaning- these are the cornerstone of the Scripture- and others are ambiguous. The perverse at heart eagerly pursue the ambiguities in their attempt to make trouble and to pin down a specific meaning of their own: only God knows the true meaning. Those firmly grounded in knowledge say, ‘We believe in it: it is all from our Lord’- only those with real perception will take heed-

Abdul Majid Daryabadi

He it is who hath sent down unto thee the Book, wherein some verses are firmly constructed they are the mother of the Book: and others consimilar. But those in whose hearts is and deviation follow that which is consimilar therein, seeking discord and seeking to misinterpret the same whereas none knoweth the interpretation thereof a save Allah. And the firmly- grounded in knowledge Say: we believe therein, the whole is from our Lord. And none receiveth admonition save men of understanding.

Abdullah Yusuf Ali

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. But 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 Allah. 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.

Abul Ala Maududi

It is He Who has revealed the Book to you. Some of its verses are absolutely clear and lucid, and these are the core of the Book. Others are ambiguous. Those in whose hearts there is perversity, always go about the part which is ambiguous, seeking mischief and seeking to arrive at its meaning arbitrarily, although none knows their true meaning except Allah. On the contrary, those firmly rooted in knowledge say: 'We believe in it; it is all from our Lord alone.' No one derives true admonition from anything except the men of understanding.

Ahmed Ali

He has sent down this Book which contains some verses that are categorical and basic to the Book, and others allegorical. But those who are twisted of mind look for verses metaphorical, seeking deviation and giving to them interpretations of their own; but none knows their meaning except God; and those who are steeped in knowledge affirm: "We believe in them as all of them are from the Lord." But only those who have wisdom understand.

Ahmed Raza Khan

It is He Who has sent down to you (O dear Prophet Mohammed – peace and blessings be upon him) this Book (the Qur’an) containing the verses that have a clear meaning – they are the core of the Book – and other verses the meanings of which are indistinct; those in whose hearts is deviation pursue the verses having indistinct meanings, in order to cause turmoil and seeking its (wrongful) interpretation; and only Allah knows its proper interpretation; and those having sound knowledge say, “We believe in it, all of it is from our Lord”; and none accept guidance except the men of understanding.

Ali Quli Qarai

It is He who has sent down to you the Book. Parts of it are definitive verses, which are the mother of the Book, while others are metaphorical. As for those in whose hearts is deviance, they pursue what is metaphorical in it, courting temptation, and seeking its interpretation. But no one knows its interpretation except Allah and those firmly grounded in knowledge; they say, ‘We believe in it; all of it is from our Lord.’ And none takes admonition except those who possess intellect.

Ali Ünal

It is He Who has sent down on you this (glorious) Book, wherein are verses absolutely explicit and firm: they are the core of the Book, others being allegorical. Those in whose hearts is swerving pursue what is allegorical in it, seeking (to cause) dissension, and seeking to make it open to arbitrary interpretation, although none knows its interpretation save God. And those firmly rooted in knowledge say: "We believe in it (in the entirety of its verses, both explicit and allegorical); all is from our Lord"; yet none derives admonition except the people of discernment.

Amatul Rahman Omar

He it is Who has revealed to you this perfect Book, some of its verses are definite and decisive. They are the basic root (conveying the established meanings) of the Book (- Ummal Kitâb) and other (verses) are susceptible to various interpretations. As for those in whose hearts is perversity follow (verses) that are susceptible to different interpretations, seeking (to cause) dissension and seeking an interpretation (of their own choice). But no one knows its true interpretation except Allâh, and those who are firmly grounded in knowledge. They say, `We believe in it, it is all (- the basic and decisive verses as well as the allegorical ones) from our Lord.´ And none takes heed except those endowed with pure and clear understanding.

English Literal

He is who descended on you The Book , from it (are) perfected/tightened verses, they are (F) The Book`s origin/mother , and others resembling/ambiguous/obscure , so but those who in their hearts/minds (is) deviation from truth , so they follow what resembled from it, asking/desiring the treason and asking/desiring its interpretation/explanation , and none knows its interpretation/explanation except God. And the affirmed in the knowledge , they say: "We believed with it, all/each (is) from at our Lord, and none remember/mention except (those) of the pure minds/intelligence ."

Faridul Haque

It is He Who has sent down to you (O dear Prophet Mohammed - peace and blessings be upon him) this Book (the Qur’an) containing the verses that have a clear meaning - they are the core of the Book - and other verses the meanings of which are indistinct; those in whose hearts is deviation pursue the verses having indistinct meanings, in order to cause turmoil and seeking its (wrongful) interpretation; and only Allah knows its proper interpretation; and those having sound knowledge say, “We believe in it, all of it is from our Lord”; and none accept guidance except the men of understanding.

Hamid S. Aziz

He it is who has revealed to you the Book, in which there are some verses that are Basic (decisive, or of established meaning) they are the mother (foundation) of the Book; and others are allegorical. But as for those in whose heart is perversity, they follow what is allegorical seeking discord, craving for (their own) interpretation of it; but none know the interpretation of it except Allah. And those who are well grounded in knowledge say, "We believe in it; it is all from our Lord"; but none will grasp the message save those who possess understanding. (Or: but none know the interpretation of it except Allah and those who are well grounded in knowledge. Say: "We believe in it, it is all from our Lord, but none will grasp the message save those who possess understanding.)

Hilali & Khan

It is He Who has sent down to you (Muhammad SAW) the Book (this Quran). In it are Verses that are entirely clear, they are the foundations of the Book [and those are the Verses of Al-Ahkam (commandments, etc.), Al-Fara'id (obligatory duties) and Al-Hudud (legal laws for the punishment of thieves, adulterers, etc.)]; and others not entirely clear. So as for those in whose hearts there is a deviation (from the truth) they follow that which is not entirely clear thereof, seeking Al-Fitnah (polytheism and trials, etc.), and seeking for its hidden meanings, but none knows its hidden meanings save Allah. And those who are firmly grounded in knowledge say: "We believe in it; the whole of it (clear and unclear Verses) are from our Lord." And none receive admonition except men of understanding. (Tafsir At-Tabari).

Maulana Mohammad Ali

He it is Who has revealed the Book to thee; some of its verses are decisive -- they are the basis of the Book -- and others are allegorical. Then those in whose hearts is perversity follow the part of it which is allegorical, seeking to mislead, and seeking to give it (their own) interpretation. And none knows its interpretation save Allah, and those firmly rooted in knowledge. They say: We believe in it, it is all from our Lord. And none mind except men of understanding.

Mohammad Habib Shakir

He it is Who has revealed the Book to you; some of its verses are decisive, they are the basis of the Book, and others are allegorical; then as for those in whose hearts there is perversity they follow the part of it which is allegorical, seeking to mislead and seeking to give it (their own) interpretation. but none knows its interpretation except Allah, and those who are firmly rooted in knowledge say: We believe in it, it is all from our Lord; and none do mind except those having understanding.

Mohammed Marmaduke William 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.

Muhammad Sarwar

It is God who has revealed the Book to you in which some verses are clear statements (which accept no interpretation) and these are the fundamental ideas of the Book, while other verses may have several possibilities. Those whose hearts are perverse, follow the unclear statements in pursuit of their own mischievous goals by interpreting them in a way that will suit their own purpose. No one knows its true interpretations except God and those who have a firm grounding in knowledge say, "We believe in it. All its verses are from our Lord." No one can grasp this fact except the people of reason.

Qaribullah & Darwish

It is He who has sent down to you the Book. Some of its verses are precise in meaning they are the foundation of the Book and others obscure. Those whose hearts are swerving with disbelief, follow the obscure desiring sedition and desiring its interpretation, but no one knows its interpretation except Allah. Those who are wellgrounded in knowledge say: 'We believe in it, it is all from our Lord. And none remember except those who are possessed of minds.

Safi-ur-Rahman al-Mubarakpuri

It is He Who has sent down to you the Book. In it are verses that are entirely clear, they are the foundations of the Book; and others not entirely clear. So as for those in whose hearts there is a deviation (from the truth) they follow (only) that which is not entirely clear thereof, seeking Al-Fitnah, and seeking its Ta'wil, but none knows its Ta'wil except Allah. And those who are firmly grounded in knowledge say: "We believe in it; all of it is from our Lord." And none receive admonition except men of understanding.

Wahiduddin Khan

It is He who has sent down the Book to you. Some of its verses are clear and precise in meaning, they are the basis of the Book, while others are allegorical. Those with deviation in their hearts pursue the allegorical, so as to create dissension by seeking to explain it: but no one knows its meaning except God. Those who are firmly grounded in knowledge say, "We believe in it: it is all from our Lord." But only the wise take heed.

Talal Itani

It is He who revealed to you the Book. Some of its verses are definitive; they are the foundation of the Book, and others are unspecific. As for those in whose hearts is deviation, they follow the unspecific part, seeking descent, and seeking to derive an interpretation. But none knows its interpretation except God and those firmly rooted in knowledge say, “We believe in it; all is from our Lord.” But none recollects except those with understanding.

Tafsir jalalayn

He it is Who revealed to you the Book, wherein are verses [that are] clear, lucid in proof, forming the Mother Book, the original basis for rulings, and others allegorical, whose meanings are not known, such as the opening verses of some sras. He [God] refers to the whole [Qur'n] as; 1) `clear' [muhkam] where He says [A Book] whose verses have been made clear [Q. 11;1], meaning that it contains no imperfections; and as 2) `allegorical' [mutashbih], where He says A Book consimilar [Q. 39;23], meaning that its parts resemble each other in terms of beauty and veracity. As for those in whose hearts is deviation, inclination away from truth, they follow the allegorical part, desiring sedition, among the ignorant of them, throwing them into specious arguments and confusion, and desiring its interpretation, its explanation, and none knows its interpretation, its explanation, save God, Him alone. And those firmly rooted, established and capable, in knowledge (al-rsikhna f'l-`ilm is the subject, the predicate of which is [what follows]) say, `We believe in it, the allegorical part, that it is from God, and we do not know its meaning; all, of the clear and the allegorical, is from our Lord'; yet none remembers (yadhdhakkar, the initial t' [of yatadhakkar] has been assimilated with the dhl), that is, none is admonished, but people of pith, possessors of intellect, who, when they see those following that [allegorical part only], also say;

Tafseer Ibn Kathir

The Mutashabihat and Muhkamat Ayat

Allah said,

هُوَ الَّذِيَ أَنزَلَ عَلَيْكَ الْكِتَابَ مِنْهُ ايَاتٌ مُّحْكَمَاتٌ

It is He Who has sent down to you the Book. In it are verses that are entirely clear,

Allah states that in the Qur'an, there are Ayat that are Muhkamat, entirely clear and plain, and these are the foundations of the Book which are plain for everyone.

And there are Ayat in the Qur'an that are Mutashabihat not entirely clear for many, or some people. So those who refer to the Muhkam Ayat to understand the Mutashabih Ayat, will have acquired the correct guidance, and vice versa.

This is why Allah said,

هُنَّ أُمُّ الْكِتَابِ

They are the foundations of the Book,

meaning, they are the basis of the Qur'an, and should be referred to for clarification, when warranted.

وَأُخَرُ مُتَشَابِهَاتٌ

And others not entirely clear,

as they have several meanings, some that agree with the Muhkam and some that carry other literal indications, although these meaning might not be desired.

The Muhkamat are the Ayat,

that explain the abrogating rulings, the allowed, prohibited, laws, limits, obligations and rulings that should be believed in and implemented.

As for the Mutashabihat Ayat,

they include the abrogated Ayat, parables, oaths, and what should be believed in, but not implemented.

Muhammad bin Ishaq bin Yasar commented on,
مِنْهُ ايَاتٌ مُّحْكَمَاتٌ
(In it are verses that are entirely clear) as,

"Containing proof of the Lord, immunity for the servants and a refutation of opponents and of falsehood. They cannot be changed or altered from what they were meant for."

He also said,

"As for the unclear Ayat, they can (but must not) be altered and changed, and this is a test from Allah to the servants, just as He tested them with the allowed and prohibited things. So these Ayat must not be altered to imply a false meaning or be distorted from the truth."

Therefore, Allah said,

فَأَمَّا الَّذِينَ في قُلُوبِهِمْ زَيْغٌ

So as for those in whose hearts there is a deviation,

meaning, those who are misguided and deviate from truth to falsehood.

فَيَتَّبِعُونَ مَا تَشَابَهَ مِنْهُ

they follow that which is not entirely clear thereof,

meaning, they refer to the Mutashabih, because they are able to alter its meanings to conform with their false interpretation since the wordings of the Mutashabihat encompass such a wide area of meanings.

As for the Muhkam Ayat, they cannot be altered because they are clear and, thus, constitute unequivocal proof against the misguided people.

This is why Allah said,

ابْتِغَاء الْفِتْنَةِ

seeking Al-Fitnah,

meaning, they seek to misguide their following by pretending to prove their innovation by relying on the Qur'an -- the Mutashabih of it -- but, this is proof against and not for them.

For instance, Christians might claim that (`Isa is divine because) the Qur'an states that he is Ruhullah and His Word, which He gave to Mary, all the while ignoring Allah's statements,
إِنْ هُوَ إِلاَّ عَبْدٌ أَنْعَمْنَا عَلَيْهِ
(He (`Isa) was not more than a servant. We granted Our favor to him.) (43;59) and,

إِنَّ مَثَلَ عِيسَى عِندَ اللّهِ كَمَثَلِ ادَمَ خَلَقَهُ مِن تُرَابٍ ثِمَّ قَالَ لَهُ كُن فَيَكُونُ


Verily, the likeness of `Isa before Allah is the likeness of Adam. He created him from dust, then (He) said to him;"Be!" and he was. (3;59)

There are other Ayat that clearly assert that `Isa is but one of Allah's creatures and that he is the servant and Messenger of Allah, among other Messengers.

Allah's statement,

وَابْتِغَاء تَأْوِيلِهِ

And seeking for its Ta'wil,

to alter them as they desire.

Imam Ahmad recorded that Aishah said,

"The Messenger of Allah recited,
هُوَ الَّذِيَ أَنزَلَ عَلَيْكَ الْكِتَابَ مِنْهُ ايَاتٌ مُّحْكَمَاتٌ هُنَّ أُمُّ الْكِتَابِ وَأُخَرُ مُتَشَابِهَاتٌ
(It is He Who has sent down to you the Book. In it are verses that are entirely clear, they are the foundations of the Book; and others not entirely clear), until,
أُوْلُواْ الاألْبَابِ
(Men of understanding) and he said,

فَإِذَا رَأَيْتُمُ الَّذِين يُجَادِلُونَ فِيهِ فَهُمُ الَّذِينَ عَنَى اللهُ فَاحْذَرُوهُم

When you see those who argue in it (using the Mutashabihat), then they are those whom Allah meant. Therefore, beware of them."

Al-Bukhari recorded a similar Hadith in the Tafsir of this Ayah (3;7) as did Muslim in the book of Qadar (the Divine Will) in his Sahih, and Abu Dawud in the Sunnah section of his Sunan, from Aishah;

"The Messenger of Allah recited this Ayah,
هُوَ الَّذِيَ أَنزَلَ عَلَيْكَ الْكِتَابَ مِنْهُ ايَاتٌ مُّحْكَمَاتٌ
(It is He Who has sent down to you the Book. In it are verses that are entirely clear), until,
وَمَا يَذَّكَّرُ إِلاَّ أُوْلُواْ الالْبَابِ
(And none receive admonition except men of understanding). He then said,

فَإِذَا رَأَيْتِ الَّذِينَ يَتَّبِعُونَ مَا تَشَابَهَ مِنْهُ فَأُوليِكَ الَّذِينَ سَمَّى اللهُ فَاحْذَرُوهُم

When you see those who follow what is not so clear of the Qur'an, then they are those whom Allah described, so beware of them."

This is the wording recorded by Al-Bukhari.
Only Allah Knows the True Ta'wil (Interpretation) of the Mutashabihat

Allah said,

وَمَا يَعْلَمُ تَأْوِيلَهُ إِلاَّ اللّهُ

But none knows its Ta'wil except Allah.

Similarly, as preceded in what has been reported from Ibn Abbas,

"Tafsir is of four types;

Tafsir that the Arabs know in their language;

Tafsir that no one is excused of being ignorant of;

Tafsir that the scholars know; and

Tafsir that only Allah knows."

Scholars of Qur'an recitation have different opinions about pausing at Allah's Name in this Ayah. This stop was reported from Aishah, Urwah, Abu Ash-Sha`tha' and Abu Nahik.

Some pause after reciting,
وَالرَّاسِخُونَ فِي الْعِلْمِ
(And those who are firmly grounded in knowledge), saying that the Qur'an does not address the people with what they cannot understand.

Ibn Abi Najih said that Mujahid said that Ibn Abbas said,

"I am among those who are firmly grounded in its Ta'wil interpretation."

The Messenger of Allah supplicated for the benefit of Ibn Abbas,

اللَّهُمَّ فَقِّهْهُ فِي الدِّينِ وَعَلِّمْهُ التَّأْوِيل

O Allah! Bestow on him knowledge in the religion and teach him the Ta'wil (interpretation).
Ta'wil has two meanings in the Qur'an,

the true reality of things, and

what they will turn out to be.

For instance, Allah said,

وَقَالَ يأَبَتِ هَـذَا تَأْوِيلُ رُوْيَـى مِن قَبْلُ

And he said;"O my father! This is the Ta'wil of my dream aforetime!" (12;100)

and,

هَلْ يَنظُرُونَ إِلاَّ تَأْوِيلَهُ يَوْمَ يَأْتِى تَأْوِيلُهُ

Await they just for it's Ta'wil On the Day (Day of Resurrection) it's Ta'wil is finally fulfilled. (7;53)

refers to the true reality of Resurrection that they were told about.

If this is the meaning desired in the Ayah above (3;7) then pausing after reciting Allah's Name is warranted, because only Allah knows the true reality of things.

In this case, Allah's statement,
وَالرَّاسِخُونَ فِي الْعِلْمِ
(And those who are firmly grounded in knowledge) is connected to His statement,
يَقُولُونَ امَنَّا بِهِ
(say;"We believe in it").

If the word Ta'wil means the second meaning, that is, explaining and describing, such as what Allah said,
نَبِّيْنَا بِتَأْوِيلِهِ
((They said);"Inform us of the Ta'wil of this"), (12;36) meaning its explanation, then pausing after reciting,
وَالرَّاسِخُونَ فِي الْعِلْمِ
(And those who are firmly grounded in knowledge) is warranted. This is because the scholars have general knowledge in, and understand what they were addressed with, even though they do not have knowledge of the true reality of things. Therefore, Allah's statement,
يَقُولُونَ امَنَّا بِهِ
(say;"We believe in it") describes the conduct of the scholars.

Similarly, Allah said,

وَجَأءَ رَبُّكَ وَالْمَلَكُ صَفّاً صَفّاً

And your Lord comes, and the angels, in rows. (89;22)

means, your Lord will come, and the angels will come in rows.

Allah's statement that the knowledgeable people proclaim,

يَقُولُونَ امَنَّا بِهِ

We believe in it,

means, they believe in the Mutashabih.

كُلٌّ مِّنْ عِندِ رَبِّنَا

all of it is from our Lord,

meaning, both the Muhkam and the Mutashabih are true and authentic, and each one of them testifies to the truth of the other. This is because they both are from Allah and nothing that comes from Allah is ever met by contradiction or discrepancy.

Allah said,

أَفَلَ يَتَدَبَّرُونَ الْقُرْءَانَ وَلَوْ كَانَ مِنْ عِندِ غَيْرِ اللَّهِ لَوَجَدُواْ فِيهِ اخْتِلَـفاً كَثِيراً

Do they not then consider the Qur'an carefully! Had it been from other than Allah, they would surely have found therein many a contradiction. (4;82)

Allah said in this Ayah,

وَمَا يَذَّكَّرُ إِلاَّ أُوْلُواْ الالْبَابِ



And none receive admonition except men of understanding.

meaning, those who have good minds and sound comprehension, understand, contemplate and comprehend the meaning in the correct manner.

Further, Ibn Al-Mundhir recorded in his Tafsir that Nafi` bin Yazid said,

"Those firmly grounded in knowledge are those who are modest for Allah's sake, humbly seek His pleasure, and do not exaggerate regarding those above them, or belittle those below them."

Allah said that they supplicate to their Lord