What is the definition of muhkam and mutashabih, and nasikh and mansukh in the Qur’an, in English?
Source: FtawySummary from Ftawy's records · added here Sep 2, 2026
The muhkam (perspicuous) is the word with a clear meaning, or that which is self-sufficient and does not require clarification. The mutashabih (ambiguous) is that whose knowledge God Almighty has reserved exclusively for Himself, or that which is not self-sufficient and requires clarification. Abrogation (naskh) is the superseding of a preceding legal ruling by a later discourse. The abrogrator (nasikh) is the later ruling by which the previous ruling was superseded. The abrogated (mansukh) is the preceding ruling that was superseded and is no longer acted upon.
Summary from Ftawy's records · added here
Reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
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- 64221
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