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Huruf Muqatta'at (Disjointed Letters in the Qur'an): Difference between revisions
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Huruf Muqatta'at (Disjointed Letters in the Qur'an) (view source)
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== Classical Islamic Opinions == | == Classical Islamic Opinions == | ||
Tomes have been written over the centuries on the possible meanings and probable significance of | Tomes have been written over the centuries on the possible meanings and probable significance of these 'mystical letters' as they are sometimes called. Opinions have been numerous but a consensus elusive. There is no report in the [[hadith|Ahadith]] or [[Sirat Rasul Allah|Sirat]] of [[Muhammad|Muhammad's]] having used such expressions in his ordinary speech, or his having thrown light as to its usage in the Qur'an. And, more importantly, none of his [[Sahabah|Companions]] seemed to have asked him, regarding it. This apparent lack of inquisitiveness is cited as proof that the usage of such abbreviations were well known to the Arabs of the time and were in vogue long before the advent of Islam. | ||
these 'mystical letters' as they are sometimes called. Opinions have been numerous but a consensus elusive. There is no report in the [[hadith|Ahadith]] or [[Sirat Rasul Allah|Sirat]] of [[Muhammad|Muhammad's]] having used such expressions in his ordinary speech, or his having thrown light as to its usage in the Qur'an. And, more importantly, none of his [[Sahabah|Companions]] seemed to have asked him, regarding it. This apparent lack of inquisitiveness is cited as proof that the usage of such abbreviations were well known to the Arabs of the time and were in vogue long before the advent of Islam. | |||
Some of the better known opinions are: | Some of the better known opinions are: | ||
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Alif Lām Rā stands for 'Anā Allāhu Rā'i or I am Allah the Seer<br> | Alif Lām Rā stands for 'Anā Allāhu Rā'i or I am Allah the Seer<br> | ||
The Companions Ibn Abbas and Ibn Mas'ud are said to have favored this view as cited by Abu Hayyan al Andalusi in his Bahr Al Muhit.<br> | The Companions Ibn Abbas and Ibn Mas'ud are said to have favored this view as cited by Abu Hayyan al Andalusi in his Bahr Al Muhit.<br> | ||
As plausible as it may sound this opinion does not find favor among other | As plausible as it may sound this opinion does not find favor among other classical commentators because the possible combinations of letters are virtually infinite and the Attributes they represent seem to be chosen arbitrarily | ||
classical commentators because the possible combinations of letters are virtually infinite and the Attributes they represent seem to be chosen arbitrarily | |||
<li>Fakhr al-Din al-Razi, a classical commentator of the Qur'an, has noted some twenty opinions regarding these letters, and mentions multiple opinions that these letters present the names of the Surahs as appointed by Allah. In addition, he mentions that Arabs would name things after such letters (for example, 'money' as 'ع', clouds as 'غ', and fish as 'ن'). {{bdo|ltr|<ref>{{cite journal|coauthors=Javed Ahmed Ghamidi, Shehzad Saleem|year=2003|month=July|title=Al-Baqarah (1-7)|journal=Renaissance|author=Michael R. Rose; Casandra L. Rauser; Laurence D. Mueller}}</ref>}} | <li>Fakhr al-Din al-Razi, a classical commentator of the Qur'an, has noted some twenty opinions regarding these letters, and mentions multiple opinions that these letters present the names of the Surahs as appointed by Allah. In addition, he mentions that Arabs would name things after such letters (for example, 'money' as 'ع', clouds as 'غ', and fish as 'ن'). {{bdo|ltr|<ref>{{cite journal|coauthors=Javed Ahmed Ghamidi, Shehzad Saleem|year=2003|month=July|title=Al-Baqarah (1-7)|journal=Renaissance|author=Michael R. Rose; Casandra L. Rauser; Laurence D. Mueller}}</ref>}} | ||
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=== The Classical Islamic Fallacy === | === The Classical Islamic Fallacy === | ||
The classical | The classical Muslim scholars considered the text of the Qur'an to be unchanged. Thus, they were not willing to admit that the muqattā'at were possibly added after the Ahadith were compiled, or, at least, were little known. That is, the absence of evidence was really evidence of absence. | ||
== Modern Islamic Research == | == Modern Islamic Research == | ||
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|} | |} | ||
== | ==Secular View == | ||
The secular view begins with three lines of evidence: | The secular view begins with three lines of evidence: | ||
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2. The presence of two sets of muqatta`āt in Surah 42. This appears to indicate the work of two scribes. | 2. The presence of two sets of muqatta`āt in Surah 42. This appears to indicate the work of two scribes. | ||
Thus, we conclude that the muqatta`āt are scribal initials. The consecutive appearances of some sets indicates that some scribes were given consecutive surahs to copy. | Thus, we conclude that the muqatta`āt are scribal initials. The consecutive appearances of some sets indicates that some scribes were given consecutive surahs to copy. | ||
{{Core Scripture}} | {{Core Scripture}} | ||
==See Also== | ==See Also== | ||
*[[The Origins of the Qur'an]] | *[[The Origins of the Quran|The Origins of the Qur'an]] | ||
*[[Al-Fatiha]] | *[[Al-Fatiha]] | ||
==References== | ==References== | ||
{{reflist}} | {{reflist}} | ||
[[Category:Qur'an]] | [[Category:Qur'an]] | ||