Zahir (Islam)

For other uses, see Zahir.

According to Nizari Ismaili doctrine, the Zahir is the external or apparent meaning of the Quran. In other words, this refers to general interpretations of Quranic doctrine that would be generalized by a normal human being. This is in contrast to the Batin (Islam), or underlying, esoteric dimension of the Quran, which can only be interpreted by the Aga Khan, who is the Imam of the Time.