tawil

Tawil, or ta'wil, is an Arabic term that means interpretation, often used in Islamic studies to denote the inner, esoteric, or allegorical meaning of texts, especially the Qur'an. It is contrasted with tafsir, which explains the apparent or literal sense. In ta'wil, scholars seek meanings that are spiritually or theologically significant, sometimes requiring gnosis or contextual knowledge, and may relate to divine attributes, cosmic order, or future events.

In Qur'anic exegesis, ta'wil refers to the hidden sense beyond the literal wording (batin) and is associated with the idea of multiple levels of meaning. Debates around ta'wil have been part of early and later Islamic thought, with some traditions emphasizing a strict, literal interpretation and others endorsing allegorical readings under guidance of qualified authorities. The practice is particularly prominent in Shia theology and Sufi thought, where ta'wil is used to articulate transcendent realities not readily captured by the literal text.

The term also appears in the interpretation of dreams (ta'wil al-ru'ya) within Islamic tradition, notably in classical dream-interpretation literature, where visions are interpreted to reveal truth about reality or future events.

In modern scholarship, ta'wil is discussed as a methodological approach within Qur'anic studies and Islamic philosophy, as one of several hermeneutical tools for engaging with sacred texts. It is treated with care to distinguish legitimate allegorical interpretation from arbitrary or unfounded readings.