That being so, the arguments he presented establish the first meaning: everything Allah Most High has revealed must have a meaning that can be understood. Yet those who offer corrupt interpretations and distorted explanations claim that the meaning they propose is the meaning of the verse, and in this they are mistaken.

Accordingly, the response to the two arguments he cited on behalf of those who consider that possible is as follows. As for the words of Allah Most High:

“And no one knows its interpretation except Allah.” [Āl ‘Imrān 7]

There are two well-known readings and two well-known views concerning this verse. We accept the reading of those who read:

“And no one knows its interpretation except Allah.” [Āl ‘Imrān 7]

But what grounds do they have for claiming that the ta’wīl known only to Allah is the meaning intended by the speaker—the meaning conveyed by the wording that the speaker intended the addressee to understand? He, Glorified and Exalted, did not say, “And no one knows its meaning except Allah,” nor did He say, “And no one knows its explanation except Allah,” or “And no one knows what it signifies and conveys except Allah,” or “what it indicates except Allah.” Rather, He said:

“And no one knows its interpretation except Allah.” [Āl ‘Imrān 7]

The term ta’wīl has one meaning in the Quran, while in the customary usage of many of the early generations and scholars of