Organization of the Quran: Difference between revisions

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===Meccan Surahs===
===Meccan Surahs===


The traditional Islamic narrative postulates that the Meccan suras were revealed while the Ummah was in Mecca, before the Hijrah, when the [[Ummah]] was weak. Non-Muslim scholars, such as Christoph Luxenberg believe these to be originally Christian, used by Aramaic-speaking Christian missionaries. Luxenberg, in particular, believes that many of these surahs are, in fact, Aramaic. Other surahs show Aramaic influence. The Meccan verses are generally peaceful, though some threats against unbelievers are made here and there.
The traditional Islamic narrative postulates that the Meccan suras were revealed while the [[Ummah]] was in Mecca, before the Hijrah, when the [[Ummah]] was weak. The surahs classified by  the traditional scholars as "Meccan" are generally pacifist and tolerant, though some threats against unbelievers of hell fire are still made.  


===Medinan Surahs===
===Medinan Surahs===


After the Hijrah, Muslim history puts the Muslims in Medina. The Medinan Muslims were strong and willing to use force against any opponents. The Medinan Surahs reflect this in the harshness of their tone, with repeated threats of violence against unbelievers.
After the Hijrah, Muslim history puts the Muslim community in Medina. The Medinan Muslims were strong and willing to use force against any opponents. The Medinan Surahs reflect this in the harshness of their tone, with repeated threats of and calls to physical violence against unbelievers in this world.
 
==Secular Critical Scholarship==
 
Recently, some critical scholars such as Christoph Luxenberg and Gabriel Said Reynolds have postulated that the original core material of the Quran was Christian, used by Aramaic-speaking Christian missionaries, priests and laity. Luxenberg, in particular, believes that many of these surahs were, in fact, originally written in a literay dialect of Aramaic known as Syriac, and that this Syriac material was later Arabacized. Other surahs show Syriac influence, having been apparently composes in an Aramaic-Arabic "Mischsprache" or mixed-language. The particulars of Luxenberg's thesis have been torn apart by scholars since he published it, but the general idea that a Syriac "Qeryana" or lectionary was the core of the Quran has gained more respect in the scholarly community since that time.


{{Core Scripture}}
{{Core Scripture}}

Revision as of 04:12, 28 August 2020

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Present Organization

Except for the first surah, Al-Fatiha, the Qur'an is organized by descending length of the surah. That is to say that the longest surah is Surah 2 and the shortest is Surah 114. This organization indicates nothing about the chronology of the material in any possible dating scheme.

Meccan and Medinan Surahs

The traditional Islamic narrative postulates that the Qur'an was revealed in two phases: before and after the hijrah from Mecca to Medina. Thus, the terms Meccan Surahs and Medinan Surahs arose.

Meccan Surahs

The traditional Islamic narrative postulates that the Meccan suras were revealed while the Ummah was in Mecca, before the Hijrah, when the Ummah was weak. The surahs classified by the traditional scholars as "Meccan" are generally pacifist and tolerant, though some threats against unbelievers of hell fire are still made.

Medinan Surahs

After the Hijrah, Muslim history puts the Muslim community in Medina. The Medinan Muslims were strong and willing to use force against any opponents. The Medinan Surahs reflect this in the harshness of their tone, with repeated threats of and calls to physical violence against unbelievers in this world.

Secular Critical Scholarship

Recently, some critical scholars such as Christoph Luxenberg and Gabriel Said Reynolds have postulated that the original core material of the Quran was Christian, used by Aramaic-speaking Christian missionaries, priests and laity. Luxenberg, in particular, believes that many of these surahs were, in fact, originally written in a literay dialect of Aramaic known as Syriac, and that this Syriac material was later Arabacized. Other surahs show Syriac influence, having been apparently composes in an Aramaic-Arabic "Mischsprache" or mixed-language. The particulars of Luxenberg's thesis have been torn apart by scholars since he published it, but the general idea that a Syriac "Qeryana" or lectionary was the core of the Quran has gained more respect in the scholarly community since that time.

This page is featured in the core article, Islam and Scripture which serves as a starting point for anyone wishing to learn more about this topic
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See Also