What approach did you use to translate the Mutashabehat (ambiguous) verses of the Quran?
I want to explain how I approached translating the ambiguous verses, known as Al-Mutashabehat. Allah says in the Quran: “Some of its verses (Quran) have exact meanings and form the foundation stone of the Book – whilst others are ambiguous. The people whose minds are sick chase after the ambiguous wanting to stir up disagreement and concoct their own interpretations, only Allah knows their exact meaning. However, those firmly grounded in knowledge say, ‘We believe in it since all of it is from Our Lord’, these are deeply intelligent who pay attention” (Ale-Imran: 7).
The Muhkam (clear) verses are those whose meanings are straightforward and leave no room for doubt. On the other hand, the Mutashabehat (ambiguous) verses are those with multiple possible meanings and cannot be translated literally. Examples include the timing of the Day of Judgment, the emergence of Gog and Magog, the Dajjal, the return of Prophet Jesus (AS), and the mysterious broken letters (Huruf Muqatta’atat) at the beginning of some chapters (Surahs).
Allah describes the Quran as clear guidance, a book that provides clarity and perspective for everything in a person’s life. Any ambiguity in the verses comes from the limitations of our understanding, not the Quran itself.
In ‘The Majestic Quran’, I translated these ambiguous verses figuratively rather than literally. This was done by relying on the traditional Tafasir (Exegesis) of respected scholars like Ibn Kathir, Al-Razi and Al-Suyuti, who provided insights into their meanings. The process involved carefully searching for explanations from these established commentators and presenting them in a way that reflects their depth and wisdom.
As a result, this translation aligns fully with the interpretations of traditional scholars of Ahlus Sunnah, ensuring consistency and avoiding contradictions. It is our effort to make the Quran’s timeless message more accessible while staying true to its authenticity.
Dr Musharraf Hussain
The post How We Approach Translating Ambiguous (Mutashabehat) Verses appeared first on The Majestic Quran.
