Sevāʾ is interpreted in six senses:
1. Sevāʾ is used in the sense of just/fair; as in the following verses:
Come to a word that is sevāʾ {that is, just/fair between us and you}! (Āl ʿImrān 3:64)
As sevāʾ {that is, just/fair for those who seek provision} for those who ask... (Fussilat 41:10)
And guide us to sevāʾ al-ṣirāṭ {that is, the just/fair path}! (Ṣād 38:22)
2. Sevāʾ means moderate/central; as in the following verse:
He saw him in the sevāʾ of Hell {that is, in the midst/center of Hell}. (al-Ṣāffāt 37:55)
3. Sevāʾ is used in the sense of clear matter/situation; as in the following verses:
Throw it to them on sevāʾ {that is, when the situation is clear/open}. (al-Anfāl 8:58)
Say: "I have conveyed to you as sevāʾ {that is, I have made the matter clear/open to you}." (al-Anbiyāʾ 21:109)
4. Sevāʾ means equality/equal in the legal (sharʿan) sense; as in the following verses:
In it (i.e., in Mecca), both the resident and the visitor are sevāʾ {that is, legally equal}... (al-Ḥajj 22:25)
They wished that you would disbelieve as they disbelieved so you would be sevāʾ {that is, you and the disbelievers would be legally equal in disbelief}. (al-Nisāʾ 4:89)
Among what We have provided for you as provision, do you have partners from among those whom your right hands possess (i.e., your slaves) so that you are sevāʾ {that is, you and they are equal in that provision}... would you accept that?! (al-Rūm 30:28)
(Allah has favored some of you over others in provision; those who have been given more do not hand over their provision to those whom their right hands possess (i.e., slaves) so that they become sevāʾ {that is, legally equal} in it.) (al-Naḥl 16:71)
5. Sevāʾ is used in the sense of intent [straight and moderate]; as in the following verses:
{Mūsā said}: "Perhaps my Lord will guide me to sevāʾ al-sabīl {that is, the straight and moderate path}." (al-Qaṣaṣ 28:22)
They have deviated from sevāʾ al-sabīl {that is, from the straight and moderate path}. (al-Māʾida 5:77)
6. By sevāʾ, it is meant that whether you recite it or not, it is (the same, equal, makes no difference) for them; as in the following verses:
It is sevāʾ for them (that is, the same/equal/makes no difference): they do not believe. (al-Baqara 2:6)
It is sevāʾ for them (that is, the same/equal/makes no difference) whether you warn them or do not warn them: they do not believe (because Allah has sealed their hearts). (Yā Sīn 36:10)