Chapter Sixteen (1)
Clarifying Which Statements Admit Interpretation and Which Do Not

(2) Because language exists to convey the intent of the speaker—and that intent can be known only through his words—speech falls into three categories:

1. What is explicit with respect to the intended meaning and allows no other sense.
2. What is apparent in pointing to the intended meaning, though it could conceivably be taken otherwise.
3. What is neither explicit nor apparent, but rather ambiguous and in need of further explanation.

For the first category, interpretation is impossible; forcing an interpretation upon it is a patent falsehood against the speaker. Such is the case with the vast majority of the Qur’an’s unambiguous passages, whose meanings are clear—like the verses dealing with the divine attributes and with tawhid (monotheism). They state that Allah, glorified be He, [ق 19 ب] is truly a speaker: He commands and forbids, proclaims and informs, enjoins and judges, promises and threatens, announces, guides, and calls to the Abode of Peace (3). He is above His servants, exalted (4) over all things, established over His Throne; His command descends from Him and ascends to Him. He acts in reality, is each day engaged in a matter, and does whatever He wills. Apart from Him the creation has no guardian, intercessor, or supporter. He alone possesses lordship, godhood, governance, and sustaining care. He knows the secret and what is even more hidden, and not a single leaf falls without His knowledge, and He—