Page 168 - Tafsir of surat at tawba repentance

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are all excluded from the category of naskh. Likewise, the divine promises and
warnings are excluded, because Allaah doesn’t break His promises. Nor could one
call it naskh if Allaah promises the believers gardens in paradise in an early verse
and in a later verse promises them the pleasure of seeing Him. The promise of
gardens has not been replaced by the promise of seeing Allaah; rather, both will
happen. 22 It should also be noted that the underlying principles of worship and
moral behavior have not changed through the ages. Salaah, fasting, charity and
pilgrim-age have been constant practices of Allaah’s religion—no matter which
prophet was delivering the message—and lying, murder, adultery, cheating, etc.
have been condemned by all the prophets. Therefore, the area in which naskh
operates is in details of the format of a religious practice or a social law, not in the
core principles.

KNOWLEDGE OF NASKH

Knowledge of naskh is of great importance to the scholars of fiqh (Islaamic
law) and tafseer (explanation of the Qur’aan), in order that application of Islaamic
laws does not become confused. Someone who is ignorant of repealed laws may
try to apply them and end up doing haraam acts and calling others to haraam.
Thus, it was reported that once ‘Alee ibn Abee Taalib, the fourth Caliph, passed
by a judge and asked him if he knew in which laws naskh had occurred. The man
replied, “No.” ‘Alee said to him, “You have perished and caused others to
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perish!” However, it should be noted that the number of authentic cases of naskh
are few and far between. There are only three reliable ways to identify these
cases:

1. A clearly worded narration from the Prophet (r) or one of his companions
(sahaabee). For example, the Prophet (r) was reported to have said,

22
See Sharh al-Kawkab al-Muneer, vol. 3, pp. 543.
23
Quoted by as-Suyootee in al-Itqaan, vol. 3, p. 59.

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