Naskh (Abrogation): Difference between revisions

{{QualityScore|Lead=1|Structure=3|Content=3|Language=3|References=3}}

'''Abrogation''' ([[Abrogation|Naskh]]) refers to one [[Qur'an|Qur'anic]] verse superseding another, and is itself supported by Qur'anic verses and various [[hadith]] narrations. There was scholarly disagreement as to which verses were abrogated (see the article [[List of Abrogations in the Qur'an]]). Some critics point to this as a failure of the Quran and Muhammad to provide clarity on such an important matter.

The concept of ''Naskh'', or abrogation, has traditionally been an important feature of [[Islam]] and its theology. The Qur'an is said to have been revealed by the angel [[Gabriel|Jibreel]] to Prophet [[Muhammad]] over a period of twenty-three years.<ref>''Living Religions: An Encyclopaedia of the World's Faiths,'' Mary Pat Fisher, 1997, page 338,  I.B. Tauris Publishers, </ref><ref>{{Quran|17|106}}</ref> During those years, a lot had changed in his personal and private life.  

Muhammad began as a preacher, and ended his life as the founder and Head of the first Islamic state, so it is not surprising that the style and message of [[:Category:Medinan Surah|later Medinan]] Qur'anic revelations changed and often conflicted with [[:Category:Meccan Surah|earlier Meccan]] ones.  

Not all Muslims believe in abrogation, though it is the mainstream view. Nevertheless, there has never been agreement as to the scope of verses affected, nor even the precise definition of the term, such as whether it includes clarifications. The most commonly referenced application of the doctrine today is the gradual prohibition on the consumption of [[alcohol]], though those who reject the concept of abrogation argue that alcohol was never in any way permitted. The verses about alcohol do not feature in the more limited sets of abrogated verses proposed by some scholars such as al-Suyuti (see [[List of Abrogations in the Qur'an]]).

==Qur'an==

The following [[sahih]] narration indicates, that there are many verses in the Qur'an that have been abrogated, but all of them had to be included.

{{Quote|{{Bukhari|6|60|53}}|I said to 'Uthman bin 'Affan (while he was collecting the Qur'an) regarding the Verse:-- "Those of you who die and leave wives ..." (2.240) "'''This Verse was abrogated''' by an other Verse. So why should you write it? (Or leave it in the Qur'an)?" 'Uthman said. "O son of my brother! I will not shift anything of it from its place."}}

{{Quote|{{Bukhari|6|60|33}}|They had a choice, either fast or feed a poor for every day.." and added, "This Verse is '''abrogated'''."}}

{{Quote|{{Bukhari|6|60|32}}|That he heard Ibn 'Abbas reciting the Divine Verse:--

{{Quote|{{Bukhari|6|60|34}}|"For those who can fast, they had a choice either fast, or feed a poor for every day," (2.184) was revealed, it was permissible for one to give a ransom and give up fasting, till the Verse succeeding it was revealed and abrogated it.}}

{{Quote|{{Bukhari|6|60|54}}|'Ata said: Ibn 'Abbas said, "This Verse, i.e. the Statement of Allah: "..without turning them out.." '''cancelled the obligation''' of staying for the waiting period in her dead husband's house, and she can complete this period wherever she likes}}

{{Quote|{{Bukhari|6|60|68}}|This Verse:--"Whether you show what is in your minds or conceal it.." (2.284) '''was abrogated'''}}

{{Quote|{{Bukhari|6|60|69}}|A man from the companions of Allah's Apostle who I think, was Ibn 'Umar said, "The Verse:-- ‘Whether you show what is in your minds or conceal it ...’ '''was abrogated''' by the Verse following it."}}

{{Quote|{{Muslim|003|0675}}|The Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) abrogated some of his commands by others, '''just as the Qur'an abrogates''' some part with the other.}}

{{Quote|{{Muslim|4|1317}}|Al-Bara' b. 'Azib reported: This verse was revealed (in this way): "Guard the prayers and the 'Asr prayer." We recited it (in this very way) so long as Allah desired. Allah, then, abrogated it and it was revealed: "Guard the prayers, and the middle prayer." A person who was sitting with Shaqiq (one of the narrators in the chain of transmitters) said: Now it implies the 'Asr prayer. Upon this al-Bara' said: I have already informed you how this (verse) was revealed and how '''Allah abrogated it''', and Allah knows best. Imam Muslim said: Ashja'i narrated it from Sufyan al-Thauri, who narrated it from al-Aswad b. Qais, who narrated it from 'Uqba, who narrated it from al-Bara' b. 'Azib who said: We recited with the Prophet (may peace be upon him) (the above-mentioned verse like this, i. e. instead of Salat al- Wusta, Salat al-'Asr) for a certain period, as it has been mentioned (in the above-quoted hadith).}}

{{Quote|{{Muslim|4|1433}}|Anas b. Malik reported that the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) invoked curse in the morning (prayer) for thirty days upon those who killed the Companions (of the Holy Prophet) at Bi'r Ma'una. He cursed (the tribes) of Ri'l, Dhakwan, Lihyan, and Usayya, who had disobeyed Allah and His Messenger (may peace be upon him). Anas said: Allah the Exalted and Great revealed (a verse) regarding those who were killed at Bi'r Ma'una, and we recited it, till it was abrogated later on (and the verse was like this):, convey to it our people the tidings that we have met our Lord, and He was pleased with us and we were pleased with Him".}}

{{Quote|{{Muslim|43|7173}}|Sa'id b. Jubair reported: I said to Ibn Abbas: Will the repentance of that person be accepted who kills a believer intentionally? He said: No. I recited to him this verse of Sura al-Furqan (xix.): "And those who call not upon another god with Allah and slay not the soul which Allah has forbidden except in the cause of justice" to the end of the verse. He said: This is a Meccan verse which has been abrogated by a verse revealed at Medina: "He who slays a believer intentionally, for him is the requital of Hell-Fire where he would abide for ever," and in the narration of Ibn Hisham (the words are): I recited to him this verse of Sura al-Furqan: "Except one who made repentance." (see also Sahih al-Bukhari Volume 6, Book 60, Number 285)}}

{{Quote|{{Abudawud|5|1299}}|In Surat al-Muzzammil (73), the verse: "Keep vigil at night but a little, a half thereof" (2-3) '''has been abrogated''' by the following verse: "He knoweth that ye count it not, and turneth unto you in mercy. Recite then of the Qur'an that which is easy for you" (v.20). The phrase "the vigil of the night" (nashi'at al-layl) means the early hours of the night. They (the companions) would pray (the tahajjud prayer) in the early hours of the night.}}

{{Quote|{{Abudawud|1|1300}}|Ibn ‘Abbas said: When the opening verses of Surah asl-muzzammil (lxxiii.), were revealed, the Companions would pray as long as they would pray during Ramadan '''until its last verses were revealed'''.}}  

{{Quote|{{Abudawud|12|2275}}|Women who are divorced shall wait, keeping themselves apart, three monthly courses; and then said: And for such of your women as despair of menstruation, if ye doubt, their period (of waiting) shall be three months. '''This was abrogated from the former verse'''. Again he said: (O ye who believe, if ye wed believing women) and divorce them before ye have touched them, then there is no period that ye should reckon.}}

{{Quote|{{Muslim|11|3941}}|Abu Ishaq said that he heard al-Bara' b 'Azib (Allah be pleased with him) say: The last complete sura revealed (in the Holy Qur'an) is Sura tauba (i e. al-Bara'at, ix.), and the last verse revealed is that pertaining to '''Kalala'''. [i.e. 4:176]}}