Muhakamat

Muhakamat, from the Arabic al-muhkam (the decisive, well-grounded), is a term used in Islamic scholarship to describe texts, verses, or rules that are clear, firm, and unambiguous. The word denotes a standard of certainty and reliability within different Islamic disciplines, including Qur’anic exegesis and legal theory.

In Qur’anic exegesis, muhakamat verses are those that convey their meanings in an explicit, unambiguous way and are often regarded as the foundational pillars of guidance. By contrast, mutashabihat verses are considered ambiguous or metaphorical, requiring ta’wil (interpretation) within a regulated scholarly framework. The Qur’an itself acknowledges a distinction between muhakamat and mutashabihat, and this division has been a central theme in classical and medieval exegesis and debate.

In usul al-fiqh (the principles of Islamic jurisprudence), muhakamat refer to decisive textual rulings and well-established evidences that support legal judgments. They provide a clear basis for deriving rulings, while interpretations of mutashabihat are approached with care to avoid contradicting established doctrinal or legal norms. Different schools have varied in how they balance the authority of muhakamat against the interpretive work applied to ambiguous texts.

Scholars across traditions have discussed muhakamat in relation to authority, reason, and interpretation. While muhakamat generally signals clear, binding texts, the exact application and weight given to muhakamat versus ambiguous passages have differed by era, school, and methodological approach.

The term also appears in the titles of various classical and contemporary works addressing interpretation, jurisprudence, and theology, reflecting its broad relevance as a concept of clear, authoritative ruling.