al-Iẓhār is interpreted in eight ways:
1. The word zahara is used in the sense of badāʾ (it appeared, became manifest, became visible); as in the following verses:
Except for what is apparent [zahara] (that is, the face and hands), let them not display their adornment. (al-Nūr 24:31)
Corruption has appeared [zahara] on land and sea (that is, corruption has become manifest/has arisen on land and sea). (al-Rūm 30:41)
I fear that he may change your religion or cause corruption to appear [izhār] on the earth (that is, cause corruption to become manifest on the earth). (al-Muʾmin 40:26)
They know what is apparent of the worldly life (that is, what is visible/manifest of their blessings and deeds [what they do]). (al-Rūm 30:7)
2. Azhara [to make manifest] is used in the sense of iṭlāʿ (to make aware, to inform); as in the following verses:
Allah made it manifest to him [izhār] (that is, Allah made His Messenger aware/informed him of that secret)... (al-Taḥrīm 66:3)
The person mentioned in the verse is the Prophet's wife Ḥafṣa; she disclosed the secret of the Prophet's seclusion with his concubine Māriya to ʿĀʾisha; Allah then made His Messenger aware of this situation.
He is Knower of the unseen, and does not disclose [izhār] His unseen to anyone (that is, He does not make anyone aware of His unseen). (al-Jinn 72:26)
If they become aware of you [zahir] (that is, if they become aware of you/are informed about you)... (al-Kahf 18:20)
3. Yazharūn; is used in the sense of ascending over something, rising above; as in the following verses:
...stairs by which they may ascend [yazharūn] over their houses... (al-Zukhruf 43:33)
But they were unable to surmount it [yazharūhu] (that is, they could not ascend over it, rise above it). (al-Kahf 18:97)
4. al-Tazāhur is used in the sense of taʿāwun (mutual assistance / helping / supporting); as in the following verses:
If you two support each other [tezāhur] against him (that is, if you mutually assist each other against him)... (al-Taḥrīm 66:4)
A similar expression is also found in Sūrat al-Qaṣaṣ.
After that, the angels are also supporters [zahir] of him (that is, they are helpers/supporters of the Prophet). (al-Taḥrīm 66:4)
Even if they support [zahir] each other... (al-Isrāʾ 17:88)
The disbeliever becomes a supporter [zahir] of Satan against his Lord. (al-Furqān 25:55)
He has no supporter [zahir] among them (that is, he has no helper/supporter). (Sabaʾ 34:22)
...He sent down those who supported [muzāharat] them. (al-Aḥzāb 33:26)
5. Izhār is used in the sense of superiority through subjugation, overcoming/defeating; as in the following verses:
It is He who sent His Messenger with guidance and the religion of truth to manifest it [izhār] over every religion (that is, to subjugate all religions and make Islam superior). (al-Tawba 9:33)
O my people! Today, sovereignty is yours as those who are manifest [zahir] in the land (that is, you are superior over the people of Egypt by subjugating them). (al-Muʾmin 40:29)
And We supported those who believed against their enemy, and they became manifest [zahir] (that is, they gained superiority by defeating them). (al-Ṣaff 61:14)
6. Bi-zāhir is used in the sense of falsehood; as in the following verses:
Or do you say a manifest [zahir] (that is, false—a statement of shirk [associating partners with Allah]) word? (al-Raʿd 13:33)
Those who practice ẓihār with their wives (that is, utter a false statement)... (al-Mujādila 58:3)
7. With the word izhār, the striking of a parable by Allah is intended; as in the following verses:
You made Him as something thrown behind your backs [warāʾakum ẓihriyyan] (that is, by not honoring Him, and honoring others instead, you treated Allah as something insignificant to be thrown behind your backs). (Hūd 11:92)
They cast the Book of Allah behind their backs [warāʾa ẓuhūrihim] (that is, they treated Allah's Book as if it were thrown behind their backs: they did not act upon it but acted upon sorcery). (al-Baqara 2:101)
8. The phrase wa ḥīna tuẓhirūn is used in the sense of midday/noon; as in the following verses:
In the afternoon and at noon [ḥīna tuẓhirūn] (that is, at the first prayer after the middle of the day). (al-Rūm 30:18)
...and at noon [wa ḥīna ẓahīra] (that is, at midday), at the time when you may be undressed/have removed your clothes... (al-Nūr 24:58)