The Arabic word God has used in the above verse for "straightforward" is "muhkamat" which means clearly structured. The other kind of verses God is referring to are "mutashbihat". "mutashbihat" means similes, metaphors or allegories to imply resemblance. In the translation, a clarifying option for that word, "mutashbihat", is used by Dr. Khalifa to explain it; multiple-meaning or allegorical verses.

In allegories, similes or metaphors, descriptions are used to elaborate, expand and portray entities or ideas by a set up that is different from their literal reality. This is the only reason the term "multiple-meaning" is used in the English translation to clarify the multiple-meaning and multiple-dimensional nature of allegories, similes or metaphors; it is only for a clarification purpose while it DOES NOT exist in the Arabic text of the entire verse or even of the entire Quran.

According to what God is stating in 3:7, allegories, similes or metaphors/mutashabehat, which are all used in Quran, are sometimes difficult to understand ; an effort is sometimes needed to extricate their meanings or implications. Some would do that on purpose as God states to create confusion and to instill doubts in the hearts of others. 3:7 by itself, is a straightforward verse that differentiates between allegorical verses and the rest of Quran and states that Quran, with the exception of the allegorical verses, is straightforward; clearly structured.

The claim that some verses in Quran, other than the allegorical ones, are set to deliver multiple meanings is a blasphemous claim from Satan who promised to mislead the majority of humans and jinns (7:16-17, 12:103, 12:106 ). For years, he has managed to twist the straightforward meaning of 3:7 to brain-wash some believers into the thinking that there are verses in Quran besides the allegorical ones that have multiple meanings, hence, hard to understand; it is hard to grasp their true meaning! He thus adds one more barrier between the believers and Quran and opens the door wide-opened to disagreements and divisions. God has never stated that in the entire Quran. Unfortunately, some submitters repeat the same lie without reflecting on its seriousness. Believing in and promoting that blasphemy reflect nothing but the disbelief in God's words and teachings in Quran as will be stated in the following reminders from Quran.

Believers might be deceived into the thinking that they have grasped multiple meanings of a non-allegorical verse for one of two reasons: 1- the mix up between understanding the meaning delivered by God in a verse, and offering a personal perspective or an application for that verse. Understanding a verse means the mental precess to comprehend what is expressed by God in that verse which He states that it is straightforward except for allegories. A personal perspective is one's personal ideas and experiences that are combined and offered to create a meaningful relationship to that verse. Personal perspective of a verse doesn't affect in the least the understanding of the meaning delivered by God. Meanings or what is intended to be expressed and delivered by God through His words and verses are not changeable. 2- we sometimes grasp what sounds new to us when we pay attention to more specific values of God's words or overcome our personal limited knowledge and/or our blindness. It might also happen when we advance in science and technology with time, which expands the application of some verses. This doesn't mean that some of the non-allegorical verses have multiple meanings. Absolutely not. It only means something is newly revealed to us that we have never known or paid attention to before (20:114, 5:101). The words of the Most Gracious establish the absolute, and concrete truth, in an efficient and unchangeable logic.

As for the allegories, God says that they could easily be grasped by those who are knowledgeable. This implies that some allegories would continue to puzzle those who are not very knowledgeable or would stay as mysterious until certain scientific advances are reached. The recommendation from God is to read and rely on the rest of Quran (all the straightforward teachings) and to be patient until the Teacher of Quran reveals the allegories for us in accordance to His will (20:114, 5:101).

This reminder is only to expose Satan's ignorance and wickedness and to refute this claim. The irony is that the truth in Quran that defeats his falsehood are verses that we often refer to and enjoy reciting! Even though they profoundly contradict his blasphemous claim, some submitters fail to connect the dots; they do not perceive the fact that they have been following Satan and repeating his line all along.

Besides the straightforwardness of 3:7 assuring the clarity and straightforwardness of Quran except for allegories, the following verses confirm the same concept by different words and descriptions. When any of the following verses is recited, one must ask: should I believe God in His Quran or Satan and his blasphemous claim about the multiple meanings of some non-allegorical verses?

- God states that His scripture is structured without any ambiguity. The Arabic text for "without any ambiguity" means: clarity, well-definition, without beating around the bush.

- God states that His scripture is structured in an easy manner for us to learn:

- God states that His scripture lays down the foundation for our redemption. How would that be achievable if some verses, whether they contain commands, ethics or clarifying history, have multiple meanings?

- What would be more compelling than God describing His scripture as a "Clear Book", "Clear Quran" or "Kitab Mubeen" and "Quran Bubeen"? The word "mubeen" and many of its derivatives such as "bayyenat", "tibian", "mustabeen", all mean clear, thorough & complete. The word is often translated as "profound" or "enlightening". These words, unfortunately, do not cover the clarity element of the Arabic word "mubeen". Quran is a clear, thorough, complete and profound scripture ; Mubeen. How would "multiple-meaning" verses fit into "clear, thorough, complete and profound"?

- The Most Gracious uses the word "bayyenat" which is again, a derivative of "mubeen"/clear, thorough & complete to describe His revelations ; clear revelations. This is an additional refutation for the Satanic claim that Quran would have verses with multiple meanings:

It is clear from all the above reminders that Satan's claim of having multiple meanings of some non-allegorical verses contradicts the absolute truth in Quran. So, again, should we believe God in His Quran or Satan and his blasphemous claim about the multiple meanings of some non-allegorical verses?

Unfortunately, many submitters are still questioning the straightforwardness of 3:7 itself!! They recite all the above reminders without comprehension and without trusting in every letter and word God uses to describe His truth. The Satanic claim makes them justify disagreements and leads them to confess, like all traditional Muslims, the ambiguity of Quran! They help Satan to spread the rumor that God has never distinguished the straightforward Quran from the so-called multiple-meaning verses. They hesitate to state the straightforward truth from God, and when they finally gather their strength to speak up, they have to prefix the truth with: "may God forgive me if I'm wrong" or "it is my understanding that.....". Hopefully, one day, they will realize that God does not need or care for what we share as "our understandings" !! He only wishes us salvation and this is not achievable unless we firmly and decissively share, promote, validate and follow His truth, expressed in clear and straightforward verses. Hopefully, one day, they will grasp and appreciate the straightforwardness of 3:7 and fully denounce Satan's claim about it.

Peaceful Friday, salaam and God bless.