Page 44 - Ulum Al Quran An Introduction To The Sciences Of The Quran
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Narrated 'Urwa: Az-Zubair quarreled with a man from the Ansar because of a natural mountainous
stream at Al-Harra. The Prophet said: O Zubair, irrigate (your land) and then let the water flow to your
neighbor. The Ansar said: O Allah's apostle (this is because) he is your cousin? At that the Prophet's face
became red (with anger) and he said: O Zubair. Irrigate (your land) and then withhold the water till it fills
the land up to the walls and then let if flow to your neighbor. So the Prophet enabled Az-Zubair to take
his full right after the Ansari provoked his anger.
The Prophet had previously given an order that was in favour of both of them. Az-Zubair said: 'I don't think but this verse
was revealed in this connection: But no, by your Lord, they can have no faith, until they make you judge in all disputes
between them' (4: 65). [Bukhari, VI, No. 109.]
Kinds of Reasons
There are three kinds of 'reasons' which are connected with revelation of particular passages from the Qur'an:
Revelation in response to an event or a general situation.
Revelation in response to a particular question that has been asked by someone.
Revelation for other reasons, known or not known to us.
Response to an Event
Narrated Ibn 'Abbas: The Prophet went out towards Al-Batha' and ascended the mountain and shouted:
'O Sabahah', so the Quraish people gathered around him. He said: 'Do you see? If I tell you that an
enemy is going to attack you in the morning or in the evening, will you believe me?' They replied: 'Yes'.
He said- 'Then I am a plain Warner to you of a coming severe punishment'. Abu Lahab said: 'Is it for this
reason that you have gathered us? May you perish!' Then Allah revealed 'Perish the hands of Abu
Lahab' (Sura 111: verse 1). [Bukhari, VI, No. 496.]
The Sura concerning Abu Lahab was revealed in response to this event, when Abu Lahab said: 'May you perish!'
Response to a Particular Situation
Sura 2:158 concerning Safa and Marwa was revealed in response to a particular situation in Makka during the time of the
Prophet.
Narrated 'Urwa: I asked 'A'isha (regarding the Sa'i between As-Safa and Al-Marwa). She said: 'Out of
reverence to the idol Manat which was placed in Al-Mushallal those who used to assume Ihram in its
name, used not to perform Sa'i between As-Safa and Al-Marwa (because there were two other idols
between these two hills). So Allah revealed: Verily As.-Safa and Al-Marwa are among the symbols
of Allah.' Thereupon Allah's apostle and the Muslims used to perform Sa'i (between them). Sufyan said:
The (idol) Manat was at Al-Mushallal in Qudaid. 'A'isha added: 'The verse was revealed in connection with
the Ansar. They and (the tribe of) Ghassan used to assume Ihram in the name of Manat before they
embraced Islam'. 'A'isha added 'There were men from the Ansar who used to assume Ihram in the name
of Manat which was an idol between Makka and Medina. They said, O Allah's Apostle! We used not to
perform the Tawaf (sa'i) between As-Safa and Al-Marwa out of reverence to Manat. ' [Bukhari, VI, No.
384; also Nos. 22. 23.]
In response to this situation 2: 158 was revealed.
Question to the Prophet
On many occasions the Muslims addressed questions to the Prophet concerning Islamic beliefs and the Islamic way of life.
An example of the many occasions when a revelation was revealed in response to such a question posed to the Prophet is
Sura 4:11
Narrated Jabir: The Prophet and Abu Bakr came on foot to pay me a visit (during my illness) at Banu
Salama's (dwellings). The Prophet found me unconscious, so he asked for water and performed the
ablution from it and sprinkled some water over me. I came to my senses and said O Allah's apostle! What
do you order me to do as regards my wealth? So there was revealed 'Allah commands you as
regards your children's (inheritance)' (4: 11). [Bukhari, VI, No. 101.]
