Post by ibn Ali on Jul 10, 2010 10:07:46 GMT -5
The first class of Introduction to Qur’anic Sciences by Ustadh Suhail Mulla was really beneficial. May Allah reward him abundantly.
Here are my notes for the first class:
The sciences that are related to the Qur’an as a whole constitutes:
1. Compilation during Prophet’s (peace be upon him) life and after him.
2. Information and knowledge regarding different Reasons for Revelation. (Asbaab-al-Nuzool)
3. Difference between Makki & Madani Surahs.
4. Abrogated verses.
5. Clear verses and verses with ambiguity.
–> The Qur’an was revealed to Rasulallah (peace be upon him) in a period of over 23 years.
–> The sciences of Asbaab-al-Nuzool describes how Qur’an can be better understood. There is only one better source for knowing these sciences – the Sahaba. (radiallahu anhum)
–> Asbaab is the plural form of Sabab.
Benefits of understanding Asbaab-al-Nuzool
1. We understand the circumstances in which they were revealed.
2. We see the wisdom underlying Shariah.
Example: Allah says in Surah Baqarah Ayah 158:
“Indeed, Safaa and al-Marwah are among the symbols of Allah. So whoever makes Hajj to the House or performs Umrah – there is no sin upon him for walking between them…”
One may wonder, the walking between the Safa and Marwah hills (Sa’ee) is an obligation during Hajj, then why does Allah Taa’la mentions “there is no sin upon him”.
So, taking the general meaning of this Ayah may lead to confusion. Thus, we need to understand the context in which the Ayah is revealed.
Before the advent of Islam, the pagans used to have idols placed in Safaa and Marwah. When Islam came, during Hajj season, some believers feared that walking between the two hills might be a pagan practice, so Allah confirms that Sa’ee is among the rites of His religion.
The Guiding Principle
The lesson lies in the general meaning of the words and not simply the special circumstances in which they were revealed.
Three Different Scenarios of Qur’anic verses:
1. The verse to be interpreted according to its general meaning.
eg.: “…Allah loves those who repent often and cleanse themselves.”
two meanings – cleanse internally (of heart) and externally (of body).
2. The verse to be understood according to a specific situation.
e.g: A verse revealed specific to the greatest Sahabi Sayeeduna Abu Bakr Siddiq radiallahu anhu.
Here we do not take the meaning in general.
3. Specific revelation for a particular event but with general meaning.
e.g: Surah Tawbah Ayah 113 :
It is not befitting for the Prophet and those who have believed to ask forgiveness for the polytheists, even if they are close relatives, after it has become clear to them that they are companions of Hellfire.
Understanding Makki and Madani Surahs
i. What is the benefit in knowing about them
ii. The Qur’an came to solve the problems of the Muslim community.
iii. You can understand Qur’an fully when you understand where they were revealed.
iv. We get to understand the time period of revelation.
Makki Surahs (Before)——-HIJRAH——–(After) Madani Surahs
Characteristics of Makki Surahs:
1. The Qur’an revealed in this period focused on Tawhid (Oneness of Allah) because at this period the people of Makkah used to worship many gods (Shirk).
2. The Concept of Prayer – Salah 5 times a day – was heavily focused in the Makkan period.
3. The Concept of Al-Ghaib – (Unseen) – Revelation about Heaven & Hell.
4. e.g Surah Al Ghashiyah, Surah Toor – i. were they created form nothing. ii. or they created themselves.
5. Brought challenges – i. Bring a Book alike the Qur’an. ii. Bring ten Surahs alike the Qur’an. iii. Bring even one Surah alike the Qur’an.
6. Surahs with Huroof-al-Mukattiyat – Ha Meem, Alif-Laam-Meem. – Bring something like it.
7. Surahs containing stories of Destroyed Nations – People of Aad, People of Thamud.
8. The Ayahs came very short. The kuffar didn’t want to hear the Qur’an. So Allah sent verses short. – Iza Waqa ‘atil Waqiah. Wan Nazi’ati Garqa.
9. Surahs generally containing “Ya ayyuhan naas” (O people).
Characteristics of Madani Surahs:
1. The Surahs containing Rulings in order to implement in their lives. e.g. Prohibition of Alcohol and Gambling, Paying of Zakat.
2. The addressing to the People of the Book – Jews of Madinah.
3. The dialogue relating to the munafiqoon.
4. The concept of Jihad came during the Madinah period.
5. The ayahs were very long. Longest Ayah – Surah Baqarah Ayah 282.
Waiting for the next week’s class inshaAllah…
Here are my notes for the first class:
The sciences that are related to the Qur’an as a whole constitutes:
1. Compilation during Prophet’s (peace be upon him) life and after him.
2. Information and knowledge regarding different Reasons for Revelation. (Asbaab-al-Nuzool)
3. Difference between Makki & Madani Surahs.
4. Abrogated verses.
5. Clear verses and verses with ambiguity.
–> The Qur’an was revealed to Rasulallah (peace be upon him) in a period of over 23 years.
–> The sciences of Asbaab-al-Nuzool describes how Qur’an can be better understood. There is only one better source for knowing these sciences – the Sahaba. (radiallahu anhum)
–> Asbaab is the plural form of Sabab.
Benefits of understanding Asbaab-al-Nuzool
1. We understand the circumstances in which they were revealed.
2. We see the wisdom underlying Shariah.
Example: Allah says in Surah Baqarah Ayah 158:
“Indeed, Safaa and al-Marwah are among the symbols of Allah. So whoever makes Hajj to the House or performs Umrah – there is no sin upon him for walking between them…”
One may wonder, the walking between the Safa and Marwah hills (Sa’ee) is an obligation during Hajj, then why does Allah Taa’la mentions “there is no sin upon him”.
So, taking the general meaning of this Ayah may lead to confusion. Thus, we need to understand the context in which the Ayah is revealed.
Before the advent of Islam, the pagans used to have idols placed in Safaa and Marwah. When Islam came, during Hajj season, some believers feared that walking between the two hills might be a pagan practice, so Allah confirms that Sa’ee is among the rites of His religion.
The Guiding Principle
The lesson lies in the general meaning of the words and not simply the special circumstances in which they were revealed.
Three Different Scenarios of Qur’anic verses:
1. The verse to be interpreted according to its general meaning.
eg.: “…Allah loves those who repent often and cleanse themselves.”
two meanings – cleanse internally (of heart) and externally (of body).
2. The verse to be understood according to a specific situation.
e.g: A verse revealed specific to the greatest Sahabi Sayeeduna Abu Bakr Siddiq radiallahu anhu.
Here we do not take the meaning in general.
3. Specific revelation for a particular event but with general meaning.
e.g: Surah Tawbah Ayah 113 :
It is not befitting for the Prophet and those who have believed to ask forgiveness for the polytheists, even if they are close relatives, after it has become clear to them that they are companions of Hellfire.
Understanding Makki and Madani Surahs
i. What is the benefit in knowing about them
ii. The Qur’an came to solve the problems of the Muslim community.
iii. You can understand Qur’an fully when you understand where they were revealed.
iv. We get to understand the time period of revelation.
Makki Surahs (Before)——-HIJRAH——–(After) Madani Surahs
Characteristics of Makki Surahs:
1. The Qur’an revealed in this period focused on Tawhid (Oneness of Allah) because at this period the people of Makkah used to worship many gods (Shirk).
2. The Concept of Prayer – Salah 5 times a day – was heavily focused in the Makkan period.
3. The Concept of Al-Ghaib – (Unseen) – Revelation about Heaven & Hell.
4. e.g Surah Al Ghashiyah, Surah Toor – i. were they created form nothing. ii. or they created themselves.
5. Brought challenges – i. Bring a Book alike the Qur’an. ii. Bring ten Surahs alike the Qur’an. iii. Bring even one Surah alike the Qur’an.
6. Surahs with Huroof-al-Mukattiyat – Ha Meem, Alif-Laam-Meem. – Bring something like it.
7. Surahs containing stories of Destroyed Nations – People of Aad, People of Thamud.
8. The Ayahs came very short. The kuffar didn’t want to hear the Qur’an. So Allah sent verses short. – Iza Waqa ‘atil Waqiah. Wan Nazi’ati Garqa.
9. Surahs generally containing “Ya ayyuhan naas” (O people).
Characteristics of Madani Surahs:
1. The Surahs containing Rulings in order to implement in their lives. e.g. Prohibition of Alcohol and Gambling, Paying of Zakat.
2. The addressing to the People of the Book – Jews of Madinah.
3. The dialogue relating to the munafiqoon.
4. The concept of Jihad came during the Madinah period.
5. The ayahs were very long. Longest Ayah – Surah Baqarah Ayah 282.
Waiting for the next week’s class inshaAllah…
