Sciences of Quran

ASBAB AL-NUZUL
 Outline

Definition

Significance

Sources

Classification

Scope
 Definition
Literal Asbab (pl) + Nuzul

Reasons/Causes + Descension

Reasons of Revelation
Technical The discipline in which reasons and
circumstances that may have led to
the revelations of Quranic verses,
passages and chapters are studied
 Significance
Establish True Meaning

Inference of Legal Ruling

Identification of Immediate Target

Psychological Study of Men

 Establish True Meaning

And never think that those who rejoice in what they have perpetrated
and like to be praised for what they did not do - never think them [to be]
in safety from the punishment, and for them is a painful punishment.

Assumption True Meaning

Marwan ibn al-Hakam:
None could escape painful
punishment as all Muslims took
delight in their achievements and
had longing for accolades of the
people
Abdullah ibn ‘Abbas:
The verse was revealed in relation
to the Jewish Rabbis and scholars
who exulted in the tricks they
played in response to the Prophet’s
enquiry to them
 Establish True Meaning

And [there are] those [hypocrites] who took for themselves a mosque for
causing harm and disbelief and division among the believers and as a
station for whoever had warred against Allah and His Messenger
before. And they will surely swear, "We intended only the best." And
Allah testifies that indeed they are liars.

Question True Meaning

How could a mosque be a cause of People disguising themselves as
harm, disbelief and division among followers of the Prophet built a
the believers? mosque to be used as a rallying place
against the emerging Muslim society
 Inference of Legal Ruling

O you who have believed, if there comes to you a disobedient one with
information, investigate, lest you harm a people out of ignorance and
become, over what you have done, regretful.

Principle Concerning Information and Its Veracity

Zakat collector attributed to Bani al-Mustaliq something they did not do
Spreading unsubstantiated rumours affecting the reputation of others
is an offence
 Inference of Legal Ruling

And to Allah belongs the east and the west. So wherever you [might]
turn, there is the Face of Allah . Indeed, Allah is all-Encompassing and
Knowing.

Direction of Qiblah
Mistake in identifying the Qiblah Najashi continued praying towards
on a dark night, and realizing their al-Masjid al-Aqsa
mistake in the morning
Identification of Immediate Target

Certainly has Allah heard the speech of the one who argues with you,
[O Muhammad], concerning her husband and directs her complaint to
Allah . And Allah hears your dialogue; indeed, Allah is Hearing and
Seeing.

Who Plea Arguments

Khawlah bint Husband divorced her Deprived of marital
Tha’labah by pronouncing zihar rights and impossible
to remarry
Verse revealed reversing the age-old arbitrary tradition of Arabia
Identification of Immediate Target

And of the people is he who buys the amusement of speech to mislead

[others] from the way of Allah without knowledge and who takes it in
ridicule. Those will have a humiliating punishment.

Who?
Condemnation of someone who invented playful tales to divert the
attention of those attracted to the Quran
Verse revealed in regard to al-Nazr ibn al-Harith, who recounted tales of
Persian heroes
 Psychological Study of Men

And [He also forgave] the three who were left behind [and regretted
their error] to the point that the earth closed in on them in spite of its
vastness and their souls confined them and they were certain that there
is no refuge from Allah except in Him. Then He turned to them so they
could repent. Indeed, Allah is the Accepting of repentance, the Merciful.

Steadfastness, Firmness and Determination

Three Ansar who failed to join the Tabuk expedition out of miscalculation
Faced social expulsion by the Prophet and companions for 50 days
Strong and unshakable faith
 Psychological Study of Men

Who are stingy and enjoin upon [other] people stinginess and conceal
what Allah has given them of His bounty - and We have prepared for the
disbelievers a humiliating punishment -

Who?
“Do not spend your wealth, we fear you will be overtaken by poverty…”
Verse addresses those who love this world, promote withholding
spending for right causes, encourage stinginess and hard-heartedness
 Sources
Prophet Quran revealed to the Prophet

He knew the significance of verses and to whom they were directed at

Allah enlightened the Prophet on the meaning, scope, significance and

background of verses

Companions Abdullah ibn Mas’ud: “I know well what chapter came down at what place and
what verse was revealed about whom.”
Companions witnessed the revelation of verses and chapters of the Quran

Companions statement on asbab al-nuzul considered marfu’ as they would not

say something without any basis

Successors Mursal narration accepted if the sanad is authentic and strengthened by another
similar report

Accept information from amongst the well-known mufassirun or scholars from

among the successors such as Qatadah, ‘Ikrimah, Sa’id ibn Musayyib etc.
 Classification

Multiple reasons for a single revelation

One reason for multiple revelations

One reason for one revelation

Multiple reasons for a single revelation

O Prophet, why do you prohibit [yourself from] what Allah has made lawful
for you, seeking the approval of your wives? And Allah is Forgiving and
Merciful.
Allah has already ordained for you [Muslims] the dissolution of your oaths.
And Allah is your protector, and He is the Knowing, the Wise.

Hadith of Anas ibn Malik Hadith of ‘A’ishah

Prophet’s decision not to proceed Prophet’s vow not to consume honey
with conjugal relations with his as he used to at the residence of
slave-girl (Mariyah al-Qibtiyyah) Zaynab
Multiple reasons for a single revelation

O mankind, indeed We have created you from male and female and made
you peoples and tribes that you may know one another. Indeed, the most
noble of you in the sight of Allah is the most righteous of you. Indeed, Allah
is Knowing and Acquainted.

Bilal Abyssinian Slave

Bilal ibn Rabah given the honour to Prophet took care of the funeral
make calls of prayer although he was prayer and burial of an Abyssinian
formerly a slave and non-Arab salve who never missed his daily
prayers behind him
Multiple reasons for a single revelation

These are two adversaries who have disputed over their Lord. But those
who disbelieved will have cut out for them garments of fire. Poured upon
their heads will be scalding water

Abu Dharr Ibn ‘Abbas

Those in the battle of Badr, who Group of ahl al-Kitab and Muslims
came forward to challenge each who contested each other’s claim
other to mark the beginning of the about being sincere to Allah
war
One reason for multiple revelations

Various Quraysh Allah

Wanted the
backgrounds despised those denounces the
Prophet to
of those who they Quraysh
keep them
embraced considered leaders’
away
Islam worthless standpoint
 One reason for multiple revelations

And do not send away those who call upon their Lord morning and
afternoon, seeking His countenance. Not upon you is anything of their
account and not upon them is anything of your account. So were you to
send them away, you would [then] be of the wrongdoers.
 One reason for multiple revelations

And keep yourself patient [by being] with those who call upon their Lord in
the morning and the evening, seeking His countenance. And let not your
eyes pass beyond them, desiring adornments of the worldly life, and do not
obey one whose heart We have made heedless of Our remembrance and
who follows his desire and whose affair is ever [in] neglect.
One reason for multiple revelations

Abu Jahl Abu Jahl mocked

Abu Jahl’s
commented the message Allah revealed
opposition
sarcastically on including Allah many verses in
against the
the Prophet’s and the Day of response
Prophet
position Judgment
 One reason for multiple revelations

[It will be said], "Taste! Indeed, you are the honoured, the noble!

So be patient for the decision of your Lord and do not obey from among
them a sinner or ungrateful [disbeliever].

No! Do not obey him. But prostrate and draw near [to Allah ].

Have you not considered those who exchanged the favor of Allah for
disbelief and settled their people [in] the home of ruin?
 One reason for multiple revelations

And We have not made the keepers of the Fire except angels. And We have not
made their number except as a trial for those who disbelieve - that those who were
given the Scripture will be convinced and those who have believed will increase in
faith and those who were given the Scripture and the believers will not doubt and that
those in whose hearts is hypocrisy and the disbelievers will say, "What does Allah
intend by this as an example?" Thus does Allah leave astray whom He wills and
guides whom He wills. And none knows the soldiers of your Lord except Him. And
mention of the Fire is not but a reminder to humanity.
 One Reason for One Revelation

Say, "O disbelievers, I do not worship what you worship. Nor are you
worshippers of what I worship. Nor will I be a worshipper of what you
worship. Nor will you be worshippers of what I worship. For you is your
religion, and for me is my religion."

Ibn Abbas
Quraysh leaders offered Prophet riches, women & leadership of Makkah
provided he refrained from criticizing their gods
The Prophet refused and they wanted to compromise suggesting they
worship his God for one year and the following year he adore their idols
 One Reason for One Revelation

And do not compel your slave girls to prostitution, if they desire chastity, to
seek [thereby] the temporary interests of worldly life. And if someone should
compel them, then indeed, Allah is [to them], after their compulsion,
Forgiving and Merciful.

Jabir & Ibn Abbas

‘Abdullah ibn Ubay forced his slave girls into prostitution
They brought their plight to the notice of some Ansari Muslims
Revelation prohibiting pre-Islamic tradition of flesh-trading
 Scope

The Divine Words, though

revealed on a particular
occasion referring to certain
individual or people, are
general in their applicability
and implication
 Scope

Specific individual/group, specific manner

People in general, general approach

Specific individual/group, general approach

 Specific Person, Specific Manner

So I have warned you of a Fire which is blazing. None will [enter to] burn
therein except the most wretched one. Who had denied and turned away.
But the righteous one will avoid it - [He] who gives [from] his wealth to purify
himself. And not [giving] for anyone who has [done him] a favor to be
rewarded. But only seeking the countenance of his Lord, Most High. And he
is going to be satisfied.

Abu Bakr al-Siddiq

People in General, General Approach

Companions asked the Prophet

Question raised on the basis of Jewish customs

And they ask you about menstruation. Say, "It is harm, so keep away from
wives during menstruation. And do not approach them until they are pure.
And when they have purified themselves, then come to them from where
Allah has ordained for you. Indeed, Allah loves those who are constantly
repentant and loves those who purify themselves."
 Specific Person, General Approach

Hilal ibn Umayyah

And those who accuse their wives [of adultery] and have no witnesses
except themselves - then the witness of one of them [shall be] four
testimonies [swearing] by Allah that indeed, he is of the truthful. And the fifth
[oath will be] that the curse of Allah be upon him if he should be among the
liars. But it will prevent punishment from her if she gives four testimonies
[swearing] by Allah that indeed, he is of the liars. And the fifth [oath will be]
that the wrath of Allah be upon her if he was of the truthful.