هُوَ ٱلَّذِىٓ أَنزَلَ عَلَيْكَ ٱلْكِتَـٰبَ مِنْهُ ءَايَـٰتٌ مُّحْكَمَـٰتٌ هُنَّ أُمُّ ٱلْكِتَـٰبِ وَأُخَرُ مُتَشَـٰبِهَـٰتٌ ۖ فَأَمَّا ٱلَّذِينَ فِى قُلُوبِهِمْ زَيْغٌ فَيَتَّبِعُونَ مَا تَشَـٰبَهَ مِنْهُ ٱبْتِغَآءَ ٱلْفِتْنَةِ وَٱبْتِغَآءَ تَأْوِيلِهِۦ ۗ وَمَا يَعْلَمُ تَأْوِيلَهُۥٓ إِلَّا ٱللَّهُ ۗ وَٱلرَّٰسِخُونَ فِى ٱلْعِلْمِ يَقُولُونَ ءَامَنَّا بِهِۦ كُلٌّ مِّنْ عِندِ رَبِّنَا ۗ وَمَا يَذَّكَّرُ إِلَّآ أُو۟لُوا۟ ٱلْأَلْبَـٰبِ 7
Translations
It is He who has sent down to you, [O Muḥammad], the Book; in it are verses [that are] precise - they are the foundation of the Book - and others unspecific. As for those in whose hearts is deviation [from truth], they will follow that of it which is unspecific, seeking discord and seeking an interpretation [suitable to them]. And no one knows its [true] interpretation except Allāh. But those firm in knowledge say, "We believe in it. All [of it] is from our Lord." And no one will be reminded except those of understanding.
Transliteration
Huwa alladhee anzala alayka al-kitaba minhu ayatun muhkamatun hunna ummu al-kitabi wa-ukharu mutashabihatun fa-amma alladheen fee quloobihim zayghun fayattabi'oon ma tashabaha minhu ibtighaa al-fitnati wa-ibtighaa ta'weelihi wa-ma ya'lamu ta'weelahu illa Allah wa-al-raasikhoona fee al-'ilmi yaqooloona amanna bihi kullun min 'indi rabbina wa-ma yadhdhakkaru illa uluu al-albab
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah establishes the distinction between muhkam (clear, unambiguous) verses that form the foundation of the Qur'an and mutashabih (ambiguous, similar-sounding) verses. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Qurtubi explain that those with deviation in their hearts follow the ambiguous verses to create confusion and impose false interpretations, while the firmly grounded in knowledge (al-rasikhoona) accept all verses as divine truth without imposing their own meanings. Only Allah possesses the true knowledge of the ultimate interpretation of these verses, though scholars may arrive at sound understandings through careful study.
Revelation Context
This ayah was revealed in the Medinan period as part of Surah Ali 'Imran's discussion of faith, doctrine, and responses to those who distort scripture. It addresses the broader context of refuting the People of the Book (Christians and Jews) who misinterpreted their scriptures and those hypocrites and deviants who sought to sow discord through selective interpretation of Quranic verses.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (ﷺ) said, 'The best of you are those who learn the Qur'an and teach it' (Sahih Bukhari 5027). Additionally, 'Whoever interprets the Qur'an based on his opinion, let him take his seat in the Fire' (Jami' at-Tirmidhi 2953), emphasizing the danger of baseless interpretation.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches believers to approach Quranic interpretation with humility, recognizing that true understanding comes through grounded scholarship and sincere faith rather than personal whims or desires to sow discord. It serves as a warning against following charismatic figures who cherry-pick ambiguous verses to support their agendas, and encourages reliance on established Islamic scholarship and clear Quranic principles.