Tajdeed

“Al-Zamakhsharī cites two examples explaining how a ‘perspicous’ (muḥkam) verse can provide the basis for interpreting an ‘ambiguous’ (mutashābih) verse. He considers that “Looking upon their Lord” (ilā rabbihā nāẓiratun) is an ‘ambiguous’ (mutashābih) verse which can be interpreted by a ‘perspicous’ (muḥkam) verse: “Vision cannot attain Him,” (lā tudrikuhu al-abṣār).

Similarly, “We command its people (living a life of) luxury” (amarnā mutrafīhā)³⁷ is an ‘ambiguous’ (mutashābih) verse which can be interpreted by “God does not command indecency” (inna Allāh lā yāʼmuru bi al-faḥshāʼiʼ) which is a ‘perspicous’ (muḥkam) verse.”

Reference: Al-Kashshāf, – Al-Zamakhsharī’s Muʻtazilite Exegesis of the Qur’ān – by Kifayat Ullah, P.p 66-67

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Bismillah

The seeker of truth needs to accept every truth, reject every falsehood and open his mind to all possibilities because reality is greater and broader than the human mind in general and his limited mind in particular (especially the Salafi mind).

Whilst looking back at kalam, dialectical theology, and speculative theology, I came across this book, then I opened a random page and then I came across this great passage. What a blessing…

I was immediately in awe and then fell into gratitude because it was exactly what I recently argued in my article, so I was honoured to be reminded of this truth by the great works of the noble scholar al-Zamakhshari.

I was reminded that although the Salafi Dawah that is inspired by Ibn Taymiyya has brought a lot of people into Islam, they also distanced the people of intellect away from the true Islam, the Islam of the Divine that is beyond by the fabrications of men!

Like some of their disgraceful predecessors, they have killed and violated many essential tenants of Islam established clearly by the Qur’an, established unequivocally by the Muhkamat (the explicit) verses of the Kitab, explained clearly by the Mother of the Book!

By doing this, they have fell to the Satanic trap of following their desires because Allah says in the Qur’an “As for those in whose hearts is deviation [from truth], they will follow that of it which is unspecific/ambitious (mutashaabih), seeking discord and seeking an interpretation [suitable to them]” (Surah 3:7).

Their mind couldn’t grasp the transcnedence of Allah, maybe they saw Allah as too far and distant, and they wanted him closer or similar to them, so they violated the intended import of the verses in the name of “literalism”.

Instead, the Muslims were obliged to strongly emphasise on the clearly established parts of faith and use their reason and do taddabur to truly comprehend the Book. Yet, what do they dwell on? They shamelessly argue that Allah has a hand, has a shin and a face and those who do not accept these lies are deviants!

How dare they go to metaphorical verses which do not explicitly lead to their corrupt understanding, and they force and impose their deviant views on the Ummah who have negated Tajseem and Tashbih (attributing physicality, a body and anthropomorphism to the Creator of bodies, the Originator of physicality)

They cling on to these verses, and make it the absolute priority when the Qur’an has never propagated such corrupt, deviant beliefs!

Let us give the example of Imam Zamakhshari al-Mu’tazili al-Hanafi

They wrongfully use the verse “On that Day ˹some˺ faces will be bright, looking at their Lord.” (Qur’an, 75-22-23) as their basis to prove that God, the Creator of sight can be seen, whilst Allah openly, explicitly and unequivocally has stated “No vision can encompass Him, but He encompasses all vision. For He is the Most Subtle, All-Aware.” (Surah 6:103)

Now, can they play with the clear import of the second verse?

The first verse is a clear metaphor, if a Muslim of intellect contemplates over the context they will understand the intended meaning but if they take the verses out of context and they neglect the second verse which is muhkam, then they will be deviated. As a result, the Salafist undermined and violated the Muhkamat because these clear, essential, explicit verses cannot be explained or interpreted in any other coherent way!

So, why do you prioritise that which is speculative over that which is definitive o people of intellect?

This way, you undermine the message of God, and you violate the gift of God, which is the intellect and as a result the people distance themselves from this false version of Islam presented by you and then they laugh at the noble Ummah when the Ummah is free from this!

This is a reminder for Muhammad Ali (“Muslim Lantern”)