The scholars who are firmly grounded in knowledge say, “We believe in it; all of it is from our Lord.” Since it comes from Him, it cannot contain any ambiguity that would lead to error or contradiction. They therefore interpret what is ambiguous in the light of what is clear, so that the ultimate outcome of the ambiguous passages is precision.

By contrast, the people of deviation and crookedness cling to the ambiguous texts, turning them into seeds of doubt and contention. They stray and mislead others, and—on the basis of those very passages—they imagine notions unbefitting of Allah, His Book, or His Messenger.

Example 1: Allah’s words, “Indeed, it is We Who give life to the dead” (36:12), and His words, “Indeed, it is We Who have sent down the Reminder, and surely We will guard it” (15:9), and the like—verses in which Allah attributes an action to Himself using the plural form. A Christian seized upon this ambiguous wording and claimed a plurality of deities, asserting that Allah is “one of three,” while neglecting the clear verses that affirm His oneness.

Those firmly grounded in knowledge, however, understand the plural here as a plural of majesty, pointing to the multitude and magnificence of Allah’s attributes. They refer this ambiguous wording back to the decisive verse: “Your God is one God; there is no god except Him” (2:163). They say to the Christian, “The claim you have made—arising from your confusion—is one by which Allah has declared you a disbeliever and branded you a liar. Listen to His statement: ‘They have certainly disbelieved who say, “Allah is one of three,” for there is no god except the One God’ (5:73).” In other words, they disbelieve by saying that Allah is one of three.

Example 2: Allah’s address to His Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him: “You do not guide those you love” (28:56), and His statement: “And indeed you guide to a straight path” (42:52).