And it is reported from Muqātil ibn Hayyān that, concerning the Most High’s words, “and others are ambiguous,” he said:

“According to what has reached us, this means Alif Lām Mīm, Alif Lām Mīm Sād, Alif Lām Mīm Rā, and Alif Lām Rā. These four are the ambiguous ones. ‘As for those in whose hearts is deviation’ means Huyayy ibn Akhtab and his Jewish companions, who ‘follow what is ambiguous in it, seeking discord and seeking its interpretation.’” He explained: “Seeking to know what will happen and how long it will last.” He further explained: “‘And no one knows its interpretation’—how long it will last—‘except Allah.’”

The third response is to say: We concede that many people