Qur’anic terminology:

 Surah: Chapter. Each chapter of the Qur’an is named, some having alternate
names.
 Ayah: Verse or sign, depending on the context.

Qur’an contains two types of ayat

Muhkamat and Mutashabihat
Muhkamat ayat :
These are the ayat that have only one meaning according to the rules of the Arabic language or else the meaning of
the ayah is clearly known
The word muhkamat - (sg. muhkama) is derived from the root uhkima which means to decide between two things. It
is a verbal noun in the plural, meaning judgements, decisions and in technical language refers to all clearly decided
verses of the Qur'an, mostly those concerning legal rulings, but also to other clear definitions such as between truth
and falsehood etc. This is what is meant by 'general muhkamat'.
Example of muhkamat:
'O you who believe! When ye deal with each other, in transactions involving future obligations, in a fixed period of
time, reduce them to writing. Let a scribe write down faithfully as between the parties ...' (Al-Qur'an 2: 282).
Mutashabihat ayat:
These are the ayat that can have many meanings according to the rules of the Arabic language. Assigning meanings
to these ayat requires thorough thinking so that acceptable meanings are given to them.
Muhkamat and Mutashabihat.Muhkamat and Mutashabihat

The word muhkamat - (sg. muhkama) is derived from the root uhkima which means to
decide between two things. It is a verbal noun in the plural, meaning judgements,
decisions and in technical language refers to all clearly decided verses of the Qur'an,
mostly those concerning legal rulings, but also to other clear definitions such as
between truth and falsehood etc. This is what is meant by 'general muhkamat'.
Mutashabihat (sg. mutashabiha) is derived from the root 'ishtabaha' meaning 'to be
doubtful'. It is a verbal noun in the plural, meaning the uncertain or doubtful things. In
technical language it refers to those verses of the Qur'an the meanings of which are not
clear or not completely agreed upon, but open to two or more interpretations.
Example of muhkamat:
'O you who believe! When ye deal with each other, in transactions involving future
obligations, in a fixed period of time, reduce them to writing. Let a scribe write down
faithfully as between the parties ...' (Al-Qur'an 2: 282).
Example of mutashabihat:
'(God) Most Gracious is firmly established on the throne (of authority)' (Al-Qur'an 20:
5).
Note that the words in brackets have been added by the translator in an attempt to
interpret this aya.
The Qur'an on Muhkamat and Mutashabihat

The Qur'an says of itself that it contains two kinds of ayat, both of which are
fundamental components of the book, and both of which must be accepted:
'He it is who has sent down to thee the Book: in it are verses basic or fundamental (of