How do we understand the Mutashaabihaat verses found in the Qur’an?

They are called Mutashaabihaat, which means ‘unclear,’ due to the meaning of the verses being unclear as to whether they are in reference to an attribute of Allah, or if they include a metaphorical or deeper meaning. This ambiguity arises because their literal translation would entail an impossibility for Allah, and thus that meaning cannot be accepted.

For example, the verse:

بل يداه مبسوطتان، ينفق كيف يشاء [1]

“Rather, His hands are outspread, He spends (bestows his blessings) however He wills.”

The question arises: is “His hand” an attribute of Allah, or is this sentence understood metaphorically? This is because a ‘hand’ is a physical body part, and it is agreed upon by the scholars of Islam that Allah is not contained in a physical body. Thus, it cannot be that Allah is describing a physical body part - so what is intended by this sentence? Such as an attribute called ‘hand’ that is not physical, or is the sentence to be understood metaphorically?

Some scholars held the opinion that it is a metaphor, because the Arabs used to say, “his hands are spread out” to mean “he is very generous,” and the meaning did not entail an actual hand. This is seen in the verse:

ولا تجعل يدك مغلولة إلى عنقك ولا تبسطها كل البسط [2]

“And do not chain your hands to your neck, and do not spread it all the way out.”

The scholars all agree this verse means “don’t be so generous that you give all of your wealth, such that you become in need,” and there is no intent of the word “hand” being literal.

So they said regarding the first verse, it means “Allah is, rather, extremely generous,” and there is no intent of the word “hand” being meant as an actual hand which is an impossibility for Allah.

This is like the phrase in English: “It’s raining cats and dogs” to mean “it is raining very heavily” and there is no intent of the literal meaning of “cats and dogs.”

Other scholars argued that the wording of the verse was not a phrase, but rather it was in reference to an attribute of Allah. However, they were clear that it did not mean what we know as a “hand,” because that is a physical object, and Allah is beyond the bounds of a physical state. Thus, this attribute called “hand” of Allah, is not physical as we understand a hand to be. If it is not physical, or it is beyond our understanding, then what is its reality?

This is where the scholars have said: It is an attribute of Allah, its reality is unknown to us, and for certain it is not a physical body part or the like of what we understand from a “hand.”

The first group of scholars represent what is known as Ta’weel, and their explanation is one way to understand the Mutashaabihaat.

The second is representative of what is known as Tafweed, and is another way to understand the Mutashaabihaat.

Both are from Ahlulsunnah, as neither group has gone against the Muhkamaat (clear-cut unambiguous) verses of the Qur’an, and the Arabic language allows for both methodologies.

And Allah knows best.

Written by Umar Elhashimi

April 14, 2025

Study Hanbali, Ashari, & Maturidi aqida at Arkview.org

Sources

[1] Surah al-Maa’idah, verse 64

[2] Surah al-Israa’, verse 29