The Gradual Revelation of the Qur'an

Book Summary

Usool at Tafseer by Dr. Bilaal Philips

Chapter 6: The Revelations of the Qur’aan [1]

Two distinct revelations of the Qur’an can be found in Allah’s book: It is revealed in its totality in Ramadaan or on Laylatul Qadr and continuous segmental revelation up until just before the death of the Prophet صل الله عليه وسلم. To clear up apparent contradictions it is important to understand this issue.

The First Revelation

Hâ-Mîm. [These letters are one of the miracles of the Qur'ân and none but Allâh (Alone) knows their meanings]. By the manifest Book (this Qur'ân) that makes things clear. We sent it down on a blessed night. (Ad-Dukhan 44:1-3)

Similar meanings also can be found in 2:185 and 97:1. Theses verses refer to the initial revelation of the Qur’an due to the fact that the Qur’an was not revealed to Prophet Muhammad صل الله عليه وسلم on a single night in Ramadan.

Two da’eef[2] narrations but with shawaahid (supporting narrations)[3] reported from Ibn Abbas that says that the Qur’an was first separated from its station in the upper heavens and placed in Bayt al-‘Izzah in the lowest heaven, with the second version stating that it was in the Night of Decree in Ramadan. In contrast earlier revelations were sent down all at once as argued by as Suyootee to be practically an Ijmaa’.

The Second Revelation

“And (it is ) a Qur’an which I have divided into parts in order that you (Muhammad) may recite it to the people gradually, and I have revealed it by successive revelation.” (17:106)

For a period of twenty three years, Jibreel takes down sections of the Qur’an from the lowest heaven that began with Soorah al Alaq. The last chapter revealed according to Ibn Abbas is Soorah an Nasr although other Companions disagree. Further also according to Ibn Abbas the last verse revealed is the last of verses in Soorah al Baqarah dealing with riba’. [4]

THE SIGNIFICANCE OF SEGMENTED REVELATION

1. Steadying the Prophet’s صل الله عليه وسلم heart

And those who disbelieve say: "Why is not the Qur'ân revealed to him all at once?" Thus (it is sent down in parts), that We may strengthen your heart thereby. And We have revealed it to you gradually, in stages. (Al-Furqan 25:32)

The Prophet صل الله عليه وسلم faced unbearable pressure from his enemies so whenever the pressure reach its peak, Allah would send down revelation to comfort him. Allah would give him confidence (6:34), promise him help and victory (48:3), or inform him of the failure of his enemies (3:12).

2. Gentleness with the Prophet صل الله عليه وسلم

The descent of revelation was a great burden on the prophet that makes him sweat even on a cold day as described by the hadeeth of Aishah.[5] Allah also described in the Qur’an that the revelation is weighty and burdensome,

“Verily, I will cast on you a heavy set of words” (73:5)

“If I were to have revealed this Qur’an to a mountain, you would have seen it humbly crumble into pieces out of fear of Allah.” (59:21)

3. Gradation in Legislation

This method is particularly important for the first generation of Muslims who would later establish Islaam in the earth. Aishah said: “If the first thing to be revealed had been, ‘Don’t drink liquor,’ or ‘Don’t commit adultery and fornication,’ they would have said, ‘We will never give (it) up.’”.[6]

4. Facilitating the Preservation of the Qur’an

Majority of the Prophet صل الله عليه وسلم followers were illiterate therefore the main method of preserving the Qur’an is by memorization. They would have been unable to memorize all of it due to its length. Even those few who could write wouldn’t have enough writing materials. Further, gradual revelation gave them a greater opportunity to contemplate on its meanings or ask the Prophet صل الله عليه وسلم concerning verses that they need clarifications. The Sahaabah was able to gain deep understanding of the Qur’an and this is very important because their understanding and implementation became a guide for all the Muslim generations to come. This preservation is critical to maintaining the purity of the teachings of Islam, as it was the alterations in earlier books of revelation which led their followers astray.

5. Dealing with Problems as They Arose

Many verses of the Qur’an deal with problems faced the Prophet صل الله عليه وسلم and his companions. Sometimes the Qur’an is revealed to answer the questions ask to the Prophet [7]صل الله عليه وسلم. Other times it correct an error[8] made by the Prophet صل الله عليه وسلم himself. Verses were also revealed to correct wrong attitude of Muslims at that time[9]. By dealing with various incidents at the time they occurred, the Qur’an was able to reach those involved more directly, which yielded greater impact and treated these problems within their context. All of these advantages would have been not possible were the whole Qur’an revealed at one time long before or after their occurrences.

6. An Indication of the Qur’an’s Source (this section is so beautifully written that it is a shame to summarize it)

The unity and consistency of expression of the Qur’an from beginning to the end for a period of twenty three years is a clear proof that is Allah’s word, alone and not that of Prophet Muhammad صل الله عليه وسلم. Its subject matter is intimately interwoven throughout its one hundred and fourteen chapters, and all of the chapters seem interconnected like priceless pearls on a single necklace. Its rhyme and rhythm flow unhindered through every verse in the book in a unified style, in spite of the variations in subject matter and sentence structure.

How could such a consistency arise when the Qur’an was not available in its complete form from the beginning? How could it arise when it verses and chapters often dealt with incidents occurring at various stages of the movement? How could it be the product of the mid of a man who could either read or write, nor had he displayed any special ability to compose prior to the beginning of his mission? Even the greatest of writers have variations in their styles, especially over long periods of time. Therefore, the fact that the Qur’an was revealed in sections over a period of twenty three years clearly proves that its origin was not of this world. Its source had to be the Lord of the Worlds, Allah the Most Great and Glorious. Allah Himself pointed to this fact in the Qur’an, saying,

Won’t they contemplate the Qur’an? If it had come from other than Allah, they would have found in it many contradictions.

Whenever the Prophet صل الله عليه وسلم had a new revelation, he would tell his companions to put it after other revelations or before them. The Prophet صل الله عليه وسلم had no idea what he was going to ace in the future or how long he was going to live. His life was filled with a multitude of incidents which, without doubt, altered his mood and his mode of expression. Yet the Qur’an in no way reflected these differences. The Qur’an is definitely not the product of Muhammad as some would like to claim and that fact is proven by the Qur’an itself.

Educational Benefits of Segmented Revelation

The process of education depends on the following two basic principles:
1. Taking into account the mental level of the students
2. Developing their mental, spiritual and physical abilities with material which guides their thought processes in the correct direction.

Abu Khalid

[1] Summary of Chapter 6, Usool at Tafseer by Dr. Abu Ameenah Bilal Philips
[2] A subnarrator, al ‘Amash, is reliable yet a Mudallis used ‘an ‘anah in these narrations.
[3] Two reports from al Mustadrak and an Nasaa’ee. Supporting Sahih narrations collected by An Nasaa’ee. Usool at Tafseer pg. 132-133.
[4] The former is collected by Muslim and the latter by Bukhari.

[5] Bukhari, vol. 1, p. 2, no. 2
[6] Bukhari vol. 6, pp. 483-4, no. 515.

[7] 18:83
[8] 9:43
[9] 9:25