المعنى الاصطلاحي

Using speech that carries two possible meanings, one of which is true and the other is false, with the intention of manifesting that which is false.

الشرح المختصر

"Eehaam" (deluding) means that the speaker says something, whether one word or more, that carries two possible meanings; one true and the other false. The deluding words (muwhimah) are words that have both true and false connotations, and the speaker’s intent is unapparent such that the intended meaning cannot be known except by inquiry and seeking explanation. If someone hears such speech, the truth becomes mixed up and he is not able to distinguish it from falsehood. The advocates of falsehood aim by using delusion and deluding words to spread their corrupt beliefs and negate the correct ones. Ahlus-Sunnah, on the other hand, use Shari`a terminologies, because their meanings are correct and free from ambiguity and possible corrupt connotations. As for the deluding words that carry two meanings, true and false, they do not use them. Rather, they explain them in detail and elaborate on their meanings. Some examples of “Eehaam” are the following: 1. The word "jism" (body): if someone says to you: "Does Allah Almighty have a jism?" This word involves "eehaam" and it has two possible meanings. The first is the body as commonly known in the Arabic language. The second meaning indicates every entity that is described with certain attributes. Thus, the first meaning is false, and we do not affirm it to Allah the Most High because there is nothing like unto Him. As for the second meaning, it is correct, even though the word is not reported in the Quran or the Sunnah. 2. The word "jihah" (place or direction): if someone says to you: "Is Allah in a certain jihah?" You should reply: this word has two meanings; the first is highness and elevation, and the second is restriction in a specific place. If you intend by this word the "jihah" of highness and elevation, then indeed Allah is High above the world, but if your intent is that Allah is confined or restricted inside a certain place in this world, then Allah is not restricted to any place. The same applies to other deluding words such as "jawhar" and "tarkeeb".

التعريف اللغوي المختصر

"Eehaam": deluding someone into falling in error and making them believe that it is not an error; derived from "wahm", which means: error, mistake, assumption, doubt, uncertainty, forgetfulness, and refrainment.

التعريف

To lead a person to a false impression.