regarding the difference between ta'wil (figurative interpretation) and tafsir (Qur'anic exegesis).

The student: ...

The Shaykh : We must know that ta'wil (figurative interpretation) is intended to mean tafsir (Qur'anic exegesis), and it includes tadhmin (implication). This is what the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said to Ibn Abbas: meaning tafsir (Qur'anic exegesis)... No, this is not called ta'wil (figurative interpretation); this is called tahrif (distortion of a text's meaning). It is not permissible for us to call it ta'wil (figurative interpretation), even if they call it ta'wil (figurative interpretation). But they say: "ta'wil (figurative interpretation)" so that people will not be repelled by their actions. If they said "people of tahrif (distortion of a text's meaning)," would the Salaf (the earliest generations) accept them or not? They would not accept them. So they came up with ta'wil (figurative interpretation) as a softening measure. There are parallels to this: the Christians (Nasara) eventually called themselves Christians to attribute legitimacy to their abrogated religion and to claim that they are followers of Jesus. And Jesus (peace be upon him) disavowed the people of them, and if he had come out, he would have fought them. They lie about Jesus in what they claim, but they called themselves Christians to attribute legitimacy to themselves. Similarly, the Rafidah (the Twelver Shi'ah) reject the name Rafidah (the Twelver Shi'ah) and get angry at you, so they called themselves Shi'ah (the Shi'ah). Who is more deserving of being called a Shi'i (a follower of the Shi'ah)? The people of the Sunnah and the community (Ahl al-Sunnah wa al-Jama'ah), because they are the ones who love the Ahl al-Bayt (the Prophet's household) with a lawful, Sunnah-based love. As for these Rafidah (the Twelver Shi'ah), they love the Ahl al-Bayt (the Prophet's household) with a love of shirk (associating partners with Allah). The Ahl al-Bayt (the Prophet's household) disavow them without a doubt. For this reason, when Abdullah ibn Saba and his group said to Ali ibn Abi Talib: "You are Allah, truly", he disavowed them and ordered the digging of trenches. They were dug and filled with firewood, and he threw them into the fire. He burned them because of the severity of what they had done to him. So, can it be said of these people who exaggerated in their regard for the Ahl al-Bayt (the Prophet's household) to the point of elevating them above their station, that they are Shi'ah (the Shi'ah) of the Ahl al-Bayt (the Prophet's household)? Absolutely not, by Allah. They are the most hostile enemy of the Ahl al-Bayt (the Prophet's household) because they elevated them above their station. And the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: Yes, if the evidence indicates it, then it is ta'wil (figurative interpretation); and if the evidence does not indicate it, then it is tahrif (distortion of a text's meaning). This is the criterion.