Quran Revelation and Compilation

Study Notes

Revelation

The Quran was revealed to the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) over a period of 23 years.
The revelation was received through the angel Gabriel (Jibril).
The Quran is considered the literal word of God as revealed to the Prophet.
The revelation was sometimes received in response to specific events or questions.

Compilation

The Quran was not compiled into a single book during the Prophet's lifetime.
The Prophet would often recite the revealed verses to his companions, who would memorize them.
The written compilation of the Quran began during the caliphate of Abu Bakr (632-634 CE).
The final compilation was completed during the caliphate of Uthman (644-656 CE).
The Uthmanic codex is the standardized version of the Quran used today.

Abrogation

Abrogation (naskh) refers to the process of later revelations superseding earlier ones.
There are 5-6 verses that are considered abrogated, meaning their rulings are no longer applicable.
Abrogation is a complex topic, and scholars have different opinions on its application.
The concept of abrogation is mentioned in the Quran itself (2:106, 16:101).

Interpretation

Tafsir is the science of interpreting the Quran.
There are different approaches to tafsir, including:
- Literal/historical approach
- Allegorical approach
- Thematic approach
Tafsir can be categorized into two types:
- Tafsir bi-al-ma'thur (based on the opinions of the Companions and early scholars)
- Tafsir bi-al-ra'yi (based on personal opinions and reasoning)

Historical Context

The Quran was revealed in the 7th century CE, in a time of great social and political change.
The Arabian Peninsula was a tribal society, with many different cultures and belief systems.
The Quran addressed the social and religious issues of the time, such as:
- Idolatry and polytheism
- Injustice and oppression
- Women's rights and social justice
The Quran's message was a call to monotheism, justice, and moral reform.

Revelation

The Quran was revealed to the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) in 23 years, from 610 CE to 632 CE.
The angel Gabriel (Jibril) acted as the intermediary between Allah and the Prophet.
The Quran is considered the literal word of God, without any alteration or modification.
The revelation was sometimes received in response to specific events, questions, or issues that arose in the community.

Compilation

During the Prophet's lifetime, the Quran was not compiled into a single book.
The Prophet would recite the revealed verses to his companions, who would memorize them and write them down on various materials.
The written compilation of the Quran began during the caliphate of Abu Bakr (632-634 CE), with the help of Zaid ibn Thabit.
The final compilation was completed during the caliphate of Uthman (644-656 CE), resulting in the standardized version of the Quran used today, known as the Uthmanic codex.

Abrogation

Abrogation refers to the process of later revelations superseding earlier ones, which results in the cancellation of the earlier rulings.
There are 5-6 verses that are considered abrogated, meaning their rulings are no longer applicable.
The concept of abrogation is mentioned in the Quran itself (2:106, 16:101), emphasizing the importance of following the latest revelations.
Scholars have different opinions on the application of abrogation, making it a complex topic.

Interpretation

Tafsir is the science of interpreting the Quran, which involves understanding the meaning and context of the verses.
There are different approaches to tafsir, including the literal/historical approach, allegorical approach, and thematic approach.
Tafsir can be categorized into two types: Tafsir bi-al-ma'thur (based on the opinions of the Companions and early scholars) and Tafsir bi-al-ra'yi (based on personal opinions and reasoning).

Historical Context

The Quran was revealed in the 7th century CE, during a time of great social and political change in the Arabian Peninsula.
The Arabian Peninsula was a tribal society, with many different cultures and belief systems, including idolatry and polytheism.
The Quran addressed the social and religious issues of the time, such as injustice, oppression, and the lack of women's rights and social justice.
The Quran's message was a call to monotheism, justice, and moral reform, emphasizing the importance of worshiping one God and living a righteous life.

Description

Learn about the revelation of the Quran to the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and its compilation into a single book. Discover the role of the angel Gabriel and the significance of the Quran as the literal word of God.