Article: Are Mutashabih Verses Allegorical?

[Student]

Salaamun Alayka,
Sir Joseph,

Hope you're keeping well, inshallah 

I came across the book, New Approach to the Study of the Qur’an, By: Dr. Hasanuddin Ahmed, I.A.S.

http://www.netnavigate.com/hasan/newapproach/ch5.html

Point #11 of chapter 5 (in the above link) basically challenges your understanding and interpretation of 3:7 (and so your article: Are Mutashabih Verses Allegorical?) and presented cogent and diametrically opposite to your view, in my humble opinion. I've read all your posts related to 3:7 on the forum and nowhere anyone raised this aspect/possibility of interpreting 3:7 which the author of the book has presented.

The question the author (Dr. Ahmed) raised answer to exact same question sought from you also but went unanswered in one of the relevant thread:

Assuming your explanation, pursuing mutashabihat verses is prohibited according to Quran is true, it will create another issue.  It will create a need to have a list of mutashabihat verses to avoid committing a wrong and disobeying Allah’s command.   Is there any list mutashabihat verses as such?

http://quransmessage.com/forum/index.php?topic=762.msg2834#msg2834

So, I would request (greatly respecting your time) your counter argument in refuting his interpretation in defense of your article. Kindly give due consideration as you yourself subscribe to this division of Quran which means that part of the Quran is/has been kept off limits and not knowing clearly which (subjective) is even more distressing.

with warm regards,