that is preserved—these two interpretations of this verse are nevertheless either less tenable or false. In any case, the wording cannot mean a leader from among human beings, unlike the words of the Most High to Abraham:

“Indeed, I will make you a leader for the people.” [Al-Baqarah 124]

And His words:

“And We made them leaders, guiding by Our command.” [Al-Anbiyā’ 73]

These and similar passages are unequivocal in this meaning and admit no other. There are many such instances: a word considered in isolation may admit several meanings, but when reinforced and uttered alongside other words, one of those meanings becomes determinate, leaving no room for another. This is an unequivocal expression, even though the word was assigned a meaning.

Fourth: Speech either conveys its meaning on its own—which is what you call literal usage—or conveys it only with a contextual indication—which is what is called figurative usage. In the latter case, the speaker can intend that meaning only when the contextual indication is present. Thus, in the first situation, the wording admits only the literal meaning, and in the second, only the figurative meaning. Consequently, no expression as actually used remains open to two meanings in reality.

Fifth: As for his statement that when a word admits two meanings, it is indeterminate with respect to each and shared between both, and his restriction of