Explanation of the author's statement: "Note: It is known from what has preceded that the meanings of ta'wil (interpretation) are three: the first is tafsir, which is clarifying and explaining the meaning"
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The Shaykh :"Note: It is known from what has preceded that the meanings of ta'wil (interpretation) are three:
The first is tafsir, which is clarifying and explaining the meaning. This is the terminology of the majority of exegetes, and among its instances is the saying of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) to Ibn Abbas:Musannaf Ibn Abi Shaybah 29:588. This is known among the scholars regarding the verses of attributes and others".
Who denied this regarding the verses of attributes? The people of ignorance. They said: This is not known. They say: We know the meaning of bowing, prostrating, standing, sitting, fasting, and Hajj; we know their meanings, but what pertains to creed, in their claim, its meaning is not known.
"The second is the reality to which a thing is reduced. This is the well-known meaning of ta'wil in the Book and the Sunnah, as Allah the Exalted said:[Al-A'raf 7:53] [An-Nisa 4:59] " A second verse.
"Thus, the ta'wil of the verses of attributes in this sense is the essence and the reality as they are, and this is known only to Allah".
Because if someone asked you: How did He rise above the Throne? What would you say? I would say: It is not known. But what is the meaning of rising above the Throne? I would say: It is known. Good.
"The third is diverting the word from its apparent meaning to a meaning that contradicts the apparent".
Meaning: Ta'wil may be used for diverting the word from the apparent to a meaning that contradicts it. What is the ruling on that?
He says: "And, yes, this is of two types: valid and defective:
The valid is that which is indicated by evidence, such as the ta'wil of the saying of Allah the Exalted:[An-Nahl 16:98] to mean 'when you intend to recite', not when you have finished reciting.
"And the defective is that for which there is no evidence, such as interpreting Allah's rising above His Throne as His dominion, and interpreting His Hand as His power, or the like"
Yes? Yes, "His power, His blessing, or the like". Is this ta'wil permissible or not permissible? This is not permissible, and Allah knows best. Yes.
The first is tafsir, which is clarifying and explaining the meaning. This is the terminology of the majority of exegetes, and among its instances is the saying of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) to Ibn Abbas:
O Allah, give him understanding in the religion and teach him interpretation
اللهم فقهه في الدين وعلمه التأويلWho denied this regarding the verses of attributes? The people of ignorance. They said: This is not known. They say: We know the meaning of bowing, prostrating, standing, sitting, fasting, and Hajj; we know their meanings, but what pertains to creed, in their claim, its meaning is not known.
"The second is the reality to which a thing is reduced. This is the well-known meaning of ta'wil in the Book and the Sunnah, as Allah the Exalted said:
Do they await except its result?
هل ينظرون إلا تأويلهThat is the best [way] and best in result.
ذلك خير وأحسن تأويلاً"Thus, the ta'wil of the verses of attributes in this sense is the essence and the reality as they are, and this is known only to Allah".
Because if someone asked you: How did He rise above the Throne? What would you say? I would say: It is not known. But what is the meaning of rising above the Throne? I would say: It is known. Good.
"The third is diverting the word from its apparent meaning to a meaning that contradicts the apparent".
Meaning: Ta'wil may be used for diverting the word from the apparent to a meaning that contradicts it. What is the ruling on that?
He says: "And, yes, this is of two types: valid and defective:
The valid is that which is indicated by evidence, such as the ta'wil of the saying of Allah the Exalted:
So when you recite the Qur'an, [first] seek refuge in Allah from Satan, the expelled [from His mercy].
فإذا قرأت القرآن فاستعذ بالله من الشيطان الرجيم"And the defective is that for which there is no evidence, such as interpreting Allah's rising above His Throne as His dominion, and interpreting His Hand as His power, or the like"
Yes? Yes, "His power, His blessing, or the like". Is this ta'wil permissible or not permissible? This is not permissible, and Allah knows best. Yes.