Introduction to Usul Fiqh : Al-Quran

THE SOURCES OF LAW

أدلة األحكام

Al-QUR’AN

القرآن

OUTLINE Introduction Meaning Content and arrangement Distinctive features of al-Qur’an General Classification of verses Features of Qur’anic Legislation

OUTLINE

IntroductionThe Holy Qurán is the most widely read book in the history of mankind, a source of great inspiration, guidance and wisdom for millions of Muslims all over the world. It is the essential point of imaan or faith, and important to the foundations of an Islamic society being the basis of its shariah. As such one of the aims of Minhaj-ul-Qurán is to ensure a continuous link remains between the body of the Islamic community, the ummah and its heart, with the Holy Qurán. It is a book not just to be read, but to be studied, understood and ultimately to followed all of its rulings.

AL-QUR’AN Literal: Derived from the root word [ قرأ ] means ‘reading’

or ‘recitation’. Al-Bazdawi, ‘Ali ibn Muhammad [482AH]:

الكتاب المنزل على رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم المكتوب في المصاحف، المنقول إلينا عنه

نقال متواترا بال شبهة “The book containing the words of Allah (WAHYI) revealed

to the Prophet s.a.w. Muhammad s.a.w. in Arabic and transmitted to us by continuous testimony [tawatur] wihout doubt”

The Holy Qur’an was revealed to the Holy Prophet (saw) in a variety of different ways.

1. In the form of dreams:

Prophet Muhammad (saw) would sometimes receive divine revelations of the Holy Qur’an in the form of dreams. Ayesha (ra) narrates that the beginning of Wahi began in the form of true dreams. Whenever the Holy Prophet (saw) would see a dream its true meaning and significance it would become clear by the morning (Bukhari).

Manner and Forms of Revelation

2. Revelation revealed directly into the heart :

The Holy Prophet (saw) also used to receive revelation directly into the heart. Imaam Hakim narrates that the Holy Prophet (saw) stated: “Angel Gibraeel conveyed a message into my heart. That no man can die until his ‘rizk’ or resources have been completed. So Man should fear God and try all means to achieve his resources. If there is a delay in receiving your due then do not go astray to achieve it for whatever you will receive will be through Allah and what he has already ordained”[12].


3. Revelation disclosed upon the sound of a bell:

Another method of revelation was at the sound of a bell. The Holy Prophet (saw) would hear the ringing of a bell or a musical sweet sound, which would be immediately followed by divine revelation. According to Hadrat Ayesha (r.a) once the divine revelation began, Angel Gibraeel (a.s) would come at various times with different ayahs of the Qur’an. According to her, the Holy Prophet (saw) himself stated that: “Sometimes wahi comes to me after a bell rings and that is a heavy time for me”. (Bukhari)


This method of revelation appears to be the most difficult type for the Holy Prophet (saw) to bear. If he (saw) was mounted on a camel and received revelation after the ringing of a bell, the camel would be unable to bear its weight and be forced to come down upon its knees. On another occasion it is narrated by Zaid bin Thabit (r.a) that the Holy Prophet’s (saw) thigh was resting on his thigh at the time of receiving wahi. The force of the revelation was so strong that it felt as if his own thigh was breaking. Ayesha (r.a) also reports that during these occasions the Holy Prophet’s (saw) brow would sweat or that his face would become very red.


4. Revelation Brought by an Angel in the Form of a Man:One of the most common ways of receiving revelation was through Angel Gibraeel (as). The Holy Qur’an states:Say: Whoever is an enemy to Gibraeel – for he brings down the (revelation) to thy heart by Allah’s will, a confirmation of what went before , and guidance and glad tidings for those who believe, - Whoever is an enemy to Allah and His angels and apostles, to Gibraeel and Michale, - Lo! Allah is an enemy to those who reject faith”( Al-Baqarah: 2:97-98)Angel Gibraeel (a.s) would sometimes come to the Holy Prophet (saw) in the form of a man. Ummi Salma (r.a) reports that: “once I saw Dhaya Qalbi in front of the Prophet (saw) talking to him. The Prophet (saw) then asked me: “Do you know who this man is?” I replied: “That was Dhaya Qalbi” By God I thought it was him but the Prophet of God (saw) later announced in his Kutbah it was the Angle Gibraeel”.


5. Revelation Through an Angel in his True Form:Angel Gibraeel also came to the Holy Prophet (saw) in his actual angelic form. Hadrat Abdullah ibn Masood (r.a) narrates that Prophet Muhammad (saw) said: “When I saw Angel Gibraeel he had 600 wings”[18].

6. Revelation Directly from God:God has directly communicated with some of His Prophets as with Prophet Musa (a.s) on Mount Toor. The Holy Prophet (saw) spoke directly with Allah (swt) during his ascent into the heavens, the Miraj. There, Allah (swt) gave divine revelation to his Holy Prophet (saw) concerning the obligatory prayers.


Other Names of the Holy Qur’an

al-nur the light (7:157), al-hukm the judgment (13:37)

al-dhikr the reminder (15:9), al-kitab the scripture (21:10)

al-furqan the criterion (25:1), al-tanzil the revelation (26:192)

Further descriptive titles include mubarak (blessing)[5], mussadiq (confirmation of truth)[6], mubin (explanation)[7], hakim (wisdom)[8], majid (glorious)[9] and karim (honoured)[10]

– –AL-QUR’ANAL-QUR’AN

According to Muslim Jurists, Qur’an is a proof of the Prophet-hood of Muhammad SAW, and the most authoritative guide for Muslims, and the first source of the Shari’ah. The ulama’ are unanimous on this, and some even say that it is the only original source and that all other sources are descriptive or illustrative to the Qur’an.


There are 114 chapters/surah and 6666 ayat of unequal length in the Qur’an. The shortest of the surah consist of four and the longest of 286 ayat. Each chapter has a separate title. The longest surah appear first and the surah become shorter as the text proceeds. Both the order of the ayat within each surah, and the sequence of the surah, were re-arranged and finally determined by the Prophet SAW in the year of his demise. According to this arrangement, the Qur’an begins with surah al-Fatihah and ends with surah al-Nas.

THE AGREED UPON THE AGREED UPON – AL-QUR’AN– AL-QUR’AN

Number name of the Surah English Translation

1 al-Fatihah The Opening

2 al-Baqarah The Cow

3 Al-Imran The Family Of Imran

4 an-Nisa' Women

5 al-Ma'idah The Food

6 al-Anàm The Cattle

7 al-A`raf The Elevated Places

8 al-Anfal The Spoils Of War

9 at-Taubah Repentance

10 Yunus Jonah

LIST OF SURAH IN THE QUR’ANLIST OF SURAH IN THE QUR’AN

11 Hud Hud

12 Yusuf Joseph

13 ar-Ra`d The Thunder

14 Ibrahim Abraham

15 al-Hijr The Rock

16 an-Nahl The Bee

17 Al-Isra The Night Journey

18 al-Kahf The Cave

19 Maryam Mary

20 Ta Ha Ta Ha


21 al-Anbiya' The Prophets

22 al-Hajj The Pilgrimage

23 al-Mu'minun The Believers

24 an-Nur The Light

25 al-Furqan The Criterion

26 ash-Shuàra' The Poets

27 an-Naml The Ant

28 al-Qasas The Narrative

29 al-Ànkabut The Spider

30 ar-Rum The Romans


31 Luqman Lukman

32 as-Sajdah The Adoration

33 al-Ahzab The Allies

34 Saba' Sheba

35 Fatir The Creator

36 Ya Sin Ya Sin

37 as-Saffat The Rangers

38 Sad Sad

39 az-Zumar The Companies

40 Ghafir The Forgiving One


41 Fussilat Revelations Well Expounded

42 ash-Shura The Counsel

43 az-Zukhruf The Embellishment

44 ad-Dukhan The Evident Smoke

45 al-Jathiyah The Kneeling

46 al-Ahqaf The Sandhills

47 Muhammad Muhammad

48 al-Fath The Victory

49 al-Hujurat The Chambers

50 Qaf Qaf


51 ad-Dhariyat The Scatterers

52 at-Tur The Mountain

53 an-Najm The Star

54 al-Qamar The Moon

55 ar-Rahman The Merciful

56 al-Waqiàh That Which is Coming

57 al-Hadid The Iron

58 al-Mujadilah She Who Pleaded

59 al-Hashr The Exile

60 al-Mumtahanah She Who is Tested


61 as-Saff The Ranks

62 al-Jumuàh The Day of Congregation

63 al-Munafiqun The Hypocrites

64 at-Taghabun The Cheating

65 at-Talaq, The Divorce

66 at-Tahrim The Prohibition

67 al-Mulk The Kingdom

68 al-Qalam The Pen

69 al-Haqqah The Inevitable

70 al-Maàrij The Ladders


71 Nuh Noah

72 al-Jinn The Jinn

73 al-Muzammil The Mantled One

74 al-Mudathir The Clothed One

75 al-Qiyamah The Resurrection

76 al-Insan The Man

77 al-Mursalat The Emissaries

78 an-Naba' The Tidings

79 an-Naziàt Those Who Pull Out

80 Àbasa He Frowned


81 at-Takwir The Cessation

82 al-Infitar The Cleaving Asunder

83 al-Mutaffifeen The Defrauders

84 al-Inshiqaq The Rending

85 al-Buruj the Constellations

86 at-Tariq The Night-Comer

87 al-A`la The Most High

88 al-Ghashiya The Overwhelming Calamity

89 al-Fajr The Dawn

90 al-Balad The City


91 ash-Shams The Sun

92 al-Layl The Night

93 ad-Duha The Early Hours

94 ash-Sharh The Expansion

95 at-Tin The Fig

96 al-Àlaq The Clot

97 al-qadr The Majesty

98 al-Bayyinah The Proof

99 Az-Zalzala The Shaking

100 al-Àdiyat The Assaulters


101 al-Qariàh The Terrible Calamity

102 at-Takathur Worldly Gain

103 al-Àsr Time

104 al-Humazah The Slanderer

105 al-Fil The Elephant

106 al-Quraish The Quraish

107 al-Maùn The Daily Necessaries

108 al-Kauthar Abundance

109 al-Kafirun The Unbelievers

110 an-Nasr The Help


111 Al-Masad The Palm Fibre

112 al-Ikhlas The Sincerity

113 al-Falaq The Daybreak

114 an-Nas The Men


As stated earlier the first revelation of the Holy Qur’an took place on the 16th Ramadhan, A.D 610. The period of revelation all together are: 22 years, 2 months and 22 days. There is a traditional division of the surahs between those that were revealed in the city of Makkah, (Makki surahs) and those that were revealed in the city of Madinah (Madani surahs). The following table highlights the split in the revelation period between these two cities:

PERIOD YEARS MONTHS DAYSREVELATION PERIOD 22 2 22MAKKI PERIOD 12 5 13MADANI PERIOD 9 9 9

Revelation Period and Division of Qur’anic Surahs

The compilation of the Holy Qur’an took place in three stages:

During the lifetime of the Holy Prophet (saw) During the caliphate of Sayyidina Abu Bakr During the caliphate of Sayyidina Othman bin Affan

Compilation of Qur’an

After the demise of the Holy Prophet (saw) an imposter called Musailamatul al-kazzab announced falsely his own Prophethood. Sayyidina Abu Bakr (RA) sent a Muslim expedition against him and a harsh battle took place in 632 A.D (11 A.H) at the place called Yamamah, during which hundreds of huffaz of al-Qur’an were killed as syahiid. Sayyidina Umar bin Kattab (RA) became concerned at the heavy loss of Huffaz of the Quran, fearing that a large part of the Qur’an could be lost if the rate of martyrdom increased. He expressed these fears to the Caliph Sayyidina Abu Bakr (RA) and asked him to compile the Qurán into a permanent book form. Sayyidina Abu Bakr (RA) was at first shocked at the request and said he could not do something that the Holy Prophet (saw) had never done in his own lifetime. However Sayyidina Umar (RA) continued to persuade him until Sayyidina Abu Bakr (RA) said his heart was opened by Allah (swt) and he agreed to the suggestion.

Reason For Compilation of Qur’an

The contents of al-Qur’an are not classified subject-wise. The verses on various topics appeared in different places, and no particular order can be established in the sequence of its text.

The arrangement of verses are fixed (توقيفي) and therefore cannot be violated.

Al-Qur’an is an a comprehensive guide for all Muslims in all aspect of their life and must be accepted and implemented in its entirety. Allah SWT said:

أفتؤمنون ببعض الكتاب وتكفرون ببعض فما خزي في الحياة جزاء من يفعل ذلك منكم إال

الدنيا ويوم القيامة يردون إلى أشد العذاب وما ]85الله بغافل عما تعملون [البقرة :

Is it that you believe in part of the Scripture, and disbelieve in part? What is the reward for those among you who do that but humiliation in this life? And on the Day of Resurrection, they will be assigned to the most severe torment. God is not unaware of what you do. [al-Baqarah: 85]


DISTINCTIVE FEATURES OF AL-QUR’AN

The speech and actual Word of Allah

Revealed in Arabic language in both word and meaning

Transmitted with continuous testament (mutawatir).

I’jaz (miracle) of the Qu’ran

Complete and comprehensive

Actual Word of AllahThe wordings and meanings of al-Qur’an were from Allah, the Prophet’s task is only to convey the message to mankind.

Revealed in Arabic (wordings & meaning)This attributes excludes tafsir and translation of the Qur’an.Since the Qur’an was revealed in Arabic, the translation of it into any language is not considered as ‘al-Qur’an’ and all the rulings related to al-Qur’an does not apply to the translations.


Transmitted with continuous testament (mutawatir)

Al-Qur’an was transmitted from the Prophet s.a.w to the following generation by such a large number of people that they cannot be expected to agree upon a lie, all of them together.

Such kind of transmission implies that there is no doubt about the authenticity of al-Qur’an as there is clear evidence about its transmission.


The Qur’an is Allah's eternal miracle.I’jaz means miracle, it refers to inability of the human beings individually or collectively to bring about something similar to the Qur’an

I’jaz is an additional proof of the authenticity of al-qur’an and the truth of the prophet hood of Muhammad s.a.w. Allah SWT said:

قل لئن اجتمعت اإلنس والجن على أن يأتوا بمثل هذا القرآن ال يأتون بمثله ولو كان بعضهم لبعض ظهيرا

"Say, if the whole of mankind and jinns were being together to produce something similar to this Qur’an, they could not produce something similar to it; even if they backed-up each other with help and support." (17.88)


Miracle (I’jaz) of the Qur’an This is reflected in at least four aspects of the Qur’an:

1. Linguistic excellence

﴿ ى� ح� ض�� ﴿ ١ح�ال ى� ح� ح ح�ا إ�ا إ� ي� �� ح ح�ال ﴾٢ ﴿ ى� ح� ح� ح�ا ح� ح� ض�� ح� ح� �ح �ح� ح� ح�ا ﴾٣ �ر ي� ح ض! �ح إ آ" ي$ حل ح� ﴾ ﴿ ى� حل ض&%� ي' ا ح) إ� ح� �ل ﴿ ٤ح ى� ح( �ي ح* ح+ ح� ض�� ح� ح� إ,� ي- ض. ح/ ي0 ح1 حل ح� ى2 ٥﴾ ح� آا ح+ م3ا إ*� ح. ح5 ي6 إ� ح. ي7 حل ح&ا ﴾

﴿٦ ﴿ ى2 ح6 ح8 ح+ %'� م ح(ا ح5 ح6 ح9 ح� ح� ﴾٧ ﴿ ى� ح: ي; ح&ا ح+ م$" إ> ح�ا ح5 ح6 ح9 ح� ح� ح$" ٨﴾ ح+ ح7 إ*� ح� يل ا ح��ا ح&ا ح+ ﴾ ﴿ �ي ح8 ي= ﴿ ٩ح< �ي ح8 ي: ح< ح$" ح+ ح� إ> ح�1ا ال ح��ا ح&ا ح� ﴾١٠ ﴿ ي? د6 ح� ح+ ح� د� ح� Aإ ح3 ي- إ: إ� ح��ا ح&ا ح� ﴾١١ ﴾

2. Narration of events which took place centuries ago.

﴿ م�ا ح6 �ح ح) إ:� إ Bإ ي8 Cح يل ا إ+ي ي7 إ8 Eإ ح�ا آا ى� ح� �ح ح:ا ي� �ح ح� ﴾ ١١ح+Then We caused them to fall into a deep sleep for many years

inside the cave.

http://tanzil.net/#93:1








Inimitability (I’jaz) of the Qur’an

3. Accurate prediction of future events, such as the conquest of Makkah (al-Fath:27) and the eventual defeat of Persians by the Roman Empire.

﴿ ﴿ ١ال7 Fض ��ض� ال Gإ Hح إ� ض; ي7 ٢﴾ إ8 Hإ ح� ح; إ6 ي- ح� د�) 7Iض ح� Jإ ي� ح&% ي' ا �Eح �ي ح&ا إ+ي ﴾ ﴿ Kح 0Hض إ� Lي ح� M ٣ح ض6 ي- ح� إ�) ح� ض� Hي ح� إ�) �ض ي� ح&% ي' ا Oإ ��ـ ح إل M ح) إ:� إ Rإ ي� إ� إ+ي ﴾..﴿٤﴾

The Romans have been defeated, in a nearby land. They will reverse their defeat with a victory, within a few years: [for] with God rests all power of decision, first and last.

Inimitability (I’jaz) of the Qur’an4. Scientific discoveries such as: The development of embryo [al-Mu’minun:12-14]The fertilization of certain plants by wind [al-Hijr:22)All life originate from water [al-Anbiya’:30)

¹ا فإن البعث¹ من¹ ريب¹ ف¹ي كنتم¹ إ¹ن اس¹ الن ه¹ا أي ي¹ام¹ن ثم¹ علقة¹ من¹ ثم¹ طفة¹ ن م¹ن ثم¹ تراب¹ م¹ن خلقناك¹مف¹¹ي ونقر لكم¹¹ ن¹¹ نبي ل قة¹¹ مخل وغير قة¹¹ مخل مضغة¹¹ طفال نخرجكم¹ ثم¹ مس¹مى أجل¹ إل¹ى نشاء م¹ا األرحام¹يرد م¹ن ومنك¹م يتوف¹ى م¹ن ومنك¹م أشدكم¹ لتبلغوا ثم¹وترى علم¹شيئا بعد يعلم¹م¹ن لكيال العمر أرذل¹ إل¹ىوربت¹ ت¹ اهتز الماء عليه¹ا أنزلن¹ا هامدة¹فإذا األرض¹

الحج ] : بهيج زوج كل من 5وأنبتت

Miracle (I’jaz) of the Qur’an Meaning:

O people! If you are in doubt about the Resurrection, remember that We first created you from dust, then from a sperm drop, then from clotted blood, then a lump of flesh, both shaped and unshaped, so that We might manifest to you [Our power]. We cause what We will to stay in the womb for an appointed time, then We bring you forth as infants and then We cause you to grow and reach full growth. Then, some of you will pass away early in life, while some of you will reach extreme old age in which they will know nothing of what they once knew. You see the earth, dead and barren, but no sooner do We send down rain upon it than it begins to stir and swell, and produce every kind of fertile plants..

THE MAKKAN AND MADINAN REVELATIONMakkan

19/30 were revealed during the Prophet s.a.w. residence in Makkah.

The Makkan part of the Qur’an mainly emphasis on:a. The topics related to believe, b. The Oneness of Allah (Tawhid), c. The necessity of the Prophet hood of Muhammad s.a.w., d. The hereafter, argument with the unbelievers and their invitation to Islam.

Medinan 11/30 were revealed after the

Prophet s.a.w.’s migration to al-Madinah

The Madinan part of the Qur’an comprised legal rules and regulated the various aspects of life in the new environment of al-Madinah.Example:Principles regulation of the political, legal, social, organization of the family and economic life of the new community in Madinah

Al-Quran is complete and comprehensive.

Allah said:

لنا عليك الكتاب تبيانا لكل شيء وهدى ورحمة ونزوبشرى للمسلمين

" And We have sent down to you the Book (the Qur‘an) as an exposition of everything, a guidance, a mercy, and glad tidings for those who have submitted themselves (to Allah as Muslims)" [Al-Nahl:89]


GENERAL CLASSIFICATION OF THE VERSES IN AL-QUR’AN

There are different kinds of verses in the Qur’an which can be classified into four categories as follows:

a. The verses related to the Islamic believe system (aqidah), which includes the belief in Allah, His Prophet s.a.w.; belief in the Day of Judgment and other related theme.

b. The verses related to the moral and ethics (akhlaq), which include the good ethics system that must be upheld and the evil deeds, which must be avoided.

c. The verses related to the stories of the earlier Prophet s.a.w.s of Allah a.s. and the previous people (qasas al-Qur’ani) which can be taken as a lesson for everyone.

d. The verses related to the sayings and doings of the individuals and his relations with others which are also called ‘Ayat al-ahkam or the legal verses of the Qur’an.

Features of Quranic Legislation

Graduality Designed to facilitate understanding, implementation and

bringing about effective social reform. This can be observed form the prohibition of alcoholic drink:1. First phase [al-Baqarah: 219]

2. Second phase [al-Nisa’: 43]

3. Final phase [al-Maidah: 90]

First Phase

يسألونك عن الخمر والميسر قل فيهما إثم فعهما اس وإثمهما أكبر من ن كبير ومنافع للن

They ask you (O Muhammad SAW) concerning alcoholic drink and gambling. Say: “In them is a great sin, and (some) benefit for men, but the sin of them is greater than their benefit.”

[Al-Baqarah: 219]

Second Phase

ى ذين آمنوا ال تقربوا الصالة وأنتم سكارى حت ها ال يا أي تعلموا ما تقولون

O you who believe! Approach not As Salat (the prayer) when you are in a drunken state until you know (the meaning) of what you utter [al-Nisa’: 43]

Final Phaseما الخمر والميسر واألنصاب واألزالم ذين آمنوا إن ها ال يا أي

كم تفلحون يطان فاجتنبوه لعل رجس من عمل الشO you who believe! Intoxicants (all kinds of alcoholic drinks), gambling, Al Ansâb, and Al Azlam (arrows for seeking luck or decision) are an abomination of Shaitan's (Satan) handiwork. So avoid (strictly all) that (abomination) in order that you may be successful

[al-Maidah: 90]

Qat’i and Zanni

A text of the Qur’ani in conveying a rule may be very clear and unequivocal which is known as definitive (qat’i) or it may lend itself to more than one interpretation speculative/probable (zanni).

Concise & Detail (al-ijmal wa'l-tafsil) Large part of the Qur’an speaks about general principles and

only small part of the Qur’an lays down specific rules. Being the principle source of the Shari’ah, the Qur’an lays

down general guidelines and principles on almost every major topic of Islamic law.

The significance about the general of the Qur’an is that it provides the scope of interpretation, deriving fresh messages and new principles more suitable for the change of time. The wisdom for the specifics is that they constitute universal norms and principles that are essential for existence and continuation of social order

It is observed that the Qur’an is specific on matters which are deemed to be unchangeable, but in matters which are liable to change, it merely lays down general guidelines

REASON OF REVELATION - ASBAB AL-NUZUL

Asbab al-nuzul refers to the phenomena and events which are related to the revelation of its particular passages. It mentions about the reasons for revelation of various verses.

A supplementary meaning or a shade of expression may at times reflect the main purpose of a particular text and this cannot be known without the knowledge of the Asbab al-nuzul

Ignorance of Asbab al-nuzul may lead to the omission or misunderstanding of the injunction of the verse.

Miracle (I’jaz) of the Qur’an This is reflected in at least four aspects of the Qur’an:a. Linguistic excellence

b. Narration of events which took place centuries ago.

c. Accurate prediction of future events, such as the conquest of Makkah (al-Fath:27) and the eventual defeat of Persians by the Roman Empire.

d. Scientific discoveries such as: The development of embryo [al-Mu’minun:12-14]The fertilization of certain plants by wind [al-Hijr:22)All life originate from water [al-Anbiya’:30)

Justification – or Illah (al-Ta’lil)

‘Illah refers to the rationale of an injunction or the purpose of the law.

There are instances where the Qur’an justifies its rulings with a reference to the benefits or objectives which they may serve. E.g. The Qur’an regulates the distribution of booty among the needy, the orphans and the wayfarers “so that wealth does not merely circulate among the wealthy” [al-Hashr :7]

However, It is observed that some of the Qur’anic rulings are independent of justification. The believers are supposed to accept its rulings regardless of whether they can be rationally explained.

FINISH

Education

Introduction to Usul Fiqh : Al-Quran