The elucidation of the inner or esoteric meaning ( baatin ) , from the literal wording or apparent meaning of a text, ritual or religious prescription. It also denotes the method of educing the baatin from the zaahir , as such it was extensively used for the allegorical, symbolic or esoteric interpretation of the Qur'an, the shari'at, historical events of the prophets and the world of nature. It may be distinguished from tafseer.