that explain one another. According to the other interpretation, the mathānī are the various aspects—that is, categories such as promise and warning, command and prohibition.

Section

Al-Rāzī said: “We must explain the terms muhkam and mutashābih first according to their original linguistic meanings, then according to their usage in the revealed Law. As for muhkam in the language, the Arabs say hakamtu, ahkamtu and hakkamtu, meaning ‘I held back and restrained.’ A judge restrains the wrongdoer from wrongdoing, and the restraining part of a bridle prevents the horse from becoming unruly. In a report from al-Nakhaʿī: ‘Restrain the orphan as you restrain