Muḥkam and Mutashābih (Arabic: محکم و متشابه) in Quranic exegesis is the categorization of verses as "clear" (Muhkam) or "ambiguous" (Mutashabih.)
The definition of the two terms was and remains contentious. Some exegetes consider the distinction to be of whether or not the verses require further interpretation or reflection when read. Others consider Mukham to be verses with one meaning and Mutashabih those with multiple possible meanings (and for which the most appropriate meaning needs to be deduced.)[1]
Some of the most important Mutashabih verses are those that describe God in anthropomorphic terms, including him having "Hands", a "Face" or ascending/being on "the Throne." The question of if these terms should be read literally or metaphorically was debated extensively in the early centuries of Islam, and continues to be debated.
The basis of the division of verses is the Quranic passage:
Tafsir al-Tustari carries a report attributed toʿAlī in which he states: