Articles · Vol. 2 No. 9 (2026)

CLASSIFICATION OF FIGURATIVE VERSES MISINTERPRETED BY CONTEMPORARY MOVEMENTS

Authors

  • Nodir ABDUMUTALIBOV 2nd-Year Master’s Student, Islamic Studies International Islamic Academy of Uzbekistan, Tashkent, Uzbekistan

Keywords

Holy Qurʼan; mutashabih verses; figurative interpretation; taʼwil; tafwid; tajsim; tashbih; Islamic creed; radicalism; takfir; Qurʼanic exegesis; Arabic rhetoric; Sunni theology; Maturidism; Ashʿarism.

Abstract

This article examines the dangers arising from the incorrect interpretation of figurative (mutashabih) verses in the Holy Qurʼan and their impact on Islamic creed and society. The study analyzes how radical and deviant movements interpret Qurʼanic expressions only in their literal sense while rejecting the traditional scholarly methodologies of tafwid and taʼwil established by classical Sunni scholars. Special attention is given to theological issues such as tajsim (anthropomorphism), tashbih (likening Allah to creation), and extremist literalism. Through the analysis of selected Qurʼanic verses including “The Hand of Allah is above their hands” (al-Fath, 10), “Allah plotted” (Al ʿImran, 54), and the dialogue between Musa (peace be upon him) and Allah regarding seeing Him (al-Aʼraf, 143) the article demonstrates how classical scholars such as Ibn Kathir, al-Baydawi, al-Nasafi, and Fakhr al-Din al-Razi interpreted these verses within the framework of Arabic rhetoric, theology, and creed. The paper further discusses the misuse of figurative verses by extremist groups for political radicalization and takfir. It concludes that preserving sound Islamic belief requires adherence to the balanced methodologies of traditional Sunni scholarship, consideration of linguistic and historical contexts, and the strengthening of scholarly responses against superficial and extremist interpretations.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

1. Al-Ashari, A. H. (n.d.). Al-ibanah ʿan usul al-diyanah [The clarification of the fundamentals

of religion]. Dar al-Ansar.

2. Al-Baydawi, N. A. (2000). Anwar al-tanzil wa asrar al-taʼwil [The lights of revelation and

the secrets of interpretation]. Daru Rashid.

3. Al-Ghazali, A. H. (n.d.). Iljam al-ʿawamm ʿan ʿilm al-kalam [Restraining the common

people from the science of speculative theology]. Dar al-Kutub al-ʿilmiyyah.

4. Al-Maturidi, A. M. (n.d.). Kitab al-tawhid [The book of divine unity]. Dar al-Kutub al-

ʿilmiyyah.

5. Al-Nasafi, A. B. (2012). Madarik al-tanzil wa haqaʼiq al-taʼwil [The meanings of revelation

and the realities of interpretation]. Dar al-Kutub al-ʿilmiyyah.

6. Al-Razi, F. A. (1981). Mafatih al-ghayb [Keys of the unseen] (Vol. 8). Dar al-Fikr.

7. Al-Suyuti, J. (n.d.). Al-itqan fi ʿulum al-Qurʼan [The perfection in the sciences of the

Qurʼan]. Dar Ibn Kathir.

8. Ibn Hajar al-ʿAsqalani, A. (n.d.). Fath al-bari fi sharh Sahih al-Bukhari [The opening of the

Creator: Commentary on Sahih al-Bukhari]. Dar al-Maʿrifah.