Page 295 - Quranic Wisdom - New.indd

Quranic Wisdom

The Concept of Nskh

in the Quran

t is a common belief that certain verses of the Quran are
Iabrogated, and although they can be found in the present
version of the Quran, they are not in any practical sense applicable
to our lives. This perception is based on the following verse of
the Quran:
If We abrogate a verse or cause it to be forgotten, We
will replace it by a better one or one similar to it. Do
you not know that God has power over all things?
(2:106)

But this interpretation is not correct. In fact, the word nskh
does not have the sense of eternal abrogation; it is used in the
sense of temporary suspension. In principle it is applicable in
every age, but its applicability depends upon the situation. If the
situation allows it, the message of these verses will be applicable,
but if the situation does not allow it, then the message of these
verses will remain suspended.
At present, the Quran would appear to be a complete book in
bound form but this kind of binding dates from a later period.
The fact is that the Quran was revealed in a piecemeal fashion in
accordance with the situation. This revelation continued for all
of the twenty-three years of the Prophet’s life. (It was only in the
final days of the Prophet’s life that the Quran was compiled in
its present form). Irrespective of the fact that the applicability of
Quranic injunctions may be contingent upon a number of factors
relevant to different periods and situations, the injunctions, in
essence, remain eternal in nature.

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