Page 144 - Tafsir of surat at tawba repentance
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‘Allaah has heard the statement of the one who disputes with you
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about her husband’ ”
Hence, the reasons for revelation (asbaab an-nuzool) could be defined as
incidents recorded during the prophethood of Muhammad (r) about which
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Qur’aanic verses or chapters were revealed at the time of their occurrence.
How To Know the Reason for the Revelation of a Verse
The circumstances for a particular revelation could only be known to the
witnesses of the relevant events or someone who was informed by a witness.
Therefore, the only reliable source for this knowledge is the sahaabah. Like the
hadeeths of the Prophet (r), the reliability of such reports depends upon the
reliability of the chain of narrators. The statement of a tabi‘ee about the reason for
a given revelation is usually considered weak by the scholars of hadeeth if he
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didn’t attribute his opinion to one of the sahaabah.
The Benefits of Asbaab an-Nuzool
Knowledge of the reasons for revelation is of great importance to
understanding the Qur’aan, as well as many of the Islaamic laws contained in it.
The following are some of the benefits provided by knowledge of the reasons for
revelation:
1. Asbaab an-nuzool often explain the wisdom underlying the legislation of some
of the Islaamic laws. Knowledge of the wisdom behind divine laws provides
scholars with general principles which enable them to work out laws for new
problems which have similar causes or effects. Asbaab an-nuzool also show the
concern of the laws for the general welfare of man in their treatment of problems.
This, in turn, makes us aware of Allaah’s mercy, which is a fundamental part of
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Collected by Ibn Maajah, vol. 3, p. 243, no. 2063, and Ibn Abee Haatim. Authenticated by al-
Albaanee in Saheeh Sunan Ibn Maajah, vol. 1, pp. 351-2, no. 1678. The Qur’aanic verse is from
Soorah al-Mujaadilah (58):1.
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See Manaahil al-‘Irfaan, vol. 1, p. 99.
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See Principles of Islamic Jurisprudence, p.39.
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