This profound book by Harris Birkeland meticulously investigates the historical and intellectual currents that shaped early Muslim reservations and explicit opposition to various methods of interpreting the Quran. Birkeland delves into the diverse perspectives held by the Companions and Successors regarding the necessity, permissibility, and scope of ta'wil (hermeneutic interpretation) versus a strict adherence to the literal text. Drawing heavily on primary sources, the author illuminates the nuanced arguments and theological positions that defined early Islamic thought on divine revelation and its understanding, challenging simplistic narratives about interpretive consensus.