How Can We Distinguish Literal and Metaphorical Meanings in the Quran?
Answered by Shaykh Anas al-Musa
Question
How can we distinguish between literal and metaphorical meanings in the Quran?
Answer
In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
All praise is due to Allah, Lord of all worlds. Peace and blessings be upon the Messenger sent as a mercy to the worlds, our Master and Prophet, Muhammad, and his Family and Companions.
Literal Meaning
Literal meaning refers to the use of a word in its original sense. For example, if you say, “I saw a lion in the forest,” you are referring to a well-known animal.
Similarly, in the Quran, when Allah (Most High) describes the staff of Sayyidina Musa (peace be upon him) in the verse:
“He replied, ‘It is my staff! I lean on it, and with it, I beat down (branches) for my sheep, and have other uses for it.’” [Quran, 20:18]
The word “staff” is used in its literal sense.
Metaphorical Meaning
Metaphorical meaning is when a word is used in a sense other than its original meaning but with a connection and an indication that the literal meaning is not intended. For example, if you say, “I saw a lion in the battle,” you mean a brave man, not an animal. Here, “lion” is used metaphorically due to the resemblance between a lion’s bravery and the bravery of the man, and the context of “battle” clarifies that it is metaphorical.
Similarly, in the Quran, Allah (Most High) says:
“And lower to them the wing of humility out of mercy” [Quran, 17:24]
The phrase “wing of humility” is metaphorical.
Factors That Help Distinguish Literal and Metaphorical Meanings
Several factors can help us determine whether a word or phrase in a verse is being used literally or metaphorically, including:
The General Context of the Verse or Chapter
The surrounding verses often provide clues to the intended meaning.
Linguistic Indicators
Words or phrases that suggest simile or metaphor can signal that a metaphorical meaning is intended. For instance, in the verse about Sayyidina Nuh’s Ark (peace be upon him):
“Sailing under Our (watchful) Eyes—a (fair) punishment on behalf of the one (they) denied.” [Quran, 54:14]
“Under Our Eyes” is metaphorical, indicating divine protection.
Consulting Hadiths and the Explanations of the Companions
The prophetic tradition and early interpretations can clarify meanings.
Understanding Arabic Grammar and Rhetorical Devices
Knowledge of linguistic tools like metaphor (isti‘ara), metonymy (kinaya), and simile (tashbih) is crucial in distinguishing between literal and metaphorical meanings.
Rational Evidence
Sometimes, logic dictates that a literal meaning is impossible. For example, in the verse:
“So they moved on until they came to the people of a town. They asked them for food, but the people refused to give them hospitality. There they found a wall ready (literally: willing) to collapse, so the man set it right.” [Quran, 18:77]
The “will” of the wall to collapse is metaphorical, as will is an attribute of sentient beings, not inanimate objects like a wall.
Conclusion
Knowing how to differentiate between literal and metaphorical language is important because it helps ensure a correct and deeper understanding of Quranic texts.
It also prevents misinterpretation that could lead to incorrect conclusions, and it adds new dimensions to the understanding of the text, aiding in the precise derivation of legal rulings.
You can find all of the above in these books:
- “Asrar al-Balagha” by Jurjani;
- “Al-Balagha al-Wadiha” by Jarim and Mustafa ’Amin;
- “Al-Wajiz fi ‘Usul al-Fiqh” by Zuhayli.
May Allah bless the Prophet Muhammad and give him peace, and his Family and Companions.
[Shaykh] Anas al-Musa
Shaykh Anas al-Musa, born in Hama, Syria, in 1974, is an erudite scholar of notable repute. He graduated from the Engineering Institute in Damascus, where he specialized in General Construction, and Al-Azhar University, Faculty of Usul al-Din, where he specialized in Hadith.
He studied under prominent scholars in Damascus, including Shaykh Abdul Rahman al-Shaghouri and Shaykh Adib al-Kallas, among others. Shaykh Anas has memorized the Quran and is proficient in the ten Mutawatir recitations, having studied under Shaykh Bakri al-Tarabishi and Shaykh Mowfaq ‘Ayun. He also graduated from the Iraqi Hadith School.
He has taught numerous Islamic subjects at Shari‘a institutes in Syria and Turkey. Shaykh Anas has served as an Imam and preacher for over 15 years and is a teacher of the Quran in its various readings and narrations.
Currently, he works as a teacher at SeekersGuidance and is responsible for academic guidance there. He has completed his Master’s degree in Hadith and is now pursuing his Ph.D. in the same field. Shaykh Anas al-Musa is married and resides in Istanbul.