already known to them. The word “thread” applies only to something fine, not something thick. His words, “Until it becomes distinct to you,” imply that the reference to the two familiar threads encompasses all the addressees. Anyone who takes this to mean tethering cords—with everyone having two cords of their own, and their ability to distinguish between them varying according to their location—has only himself to blame.

Imam Ahmad said: “Most mistakes people make arise from interpretation and analogy.” An example of such interpretation is the case of those who interpreted the Quran contrary to its true meaning. Interpretation here is meant in its broad sense, as we shall explain, Allah willing.

Interpretation of spoken expressions is like analogy concerning meanings grasped by reason. An example is someone who, upon hearing that a person in a state of major ritual impurity should perform dry ablution with earth, assumed that the substitute must be like that which it replaces. He therefore drew an analogy between earth and water and rolled in the dust as an animal does, seeking, as far as possible, to bring the earth into contact with his entire body, just as water did.