28 Apr
The stages of revelation of Quran are a firmly established and profoundly significant aspect of Islamic tradition. They unfold over 23 years of the Prophet Muhammad’s life, beginning in 610 CE with the Nigh of decree (Laylat al-Qadr) when the first verses were revealed in the cave of Hira. This divine message was then systematically revealed in segments, to guide, correct, and comfort the early Muslim community through its formative years. The revelation occurred in two distinct periods: the Meccan, which is characterized by its focus on faith, morality, and the afterlife, and the Medinan, which expanded to include social legislation and community life. This phased revelation allowed for the teachings of Islam to be absorbed and implemented gradually and practically, providing clear evidence of the Quran’s enduring relevance and adaptability to various human societies across history.
The Revelation of the Quran
The Quran was revealed in stages over a period of 23 years by the angel Jibreel in a series of encounters and revelations.
According to the vast majority of scholars, the stages of revelation of Quran were three as follows: Writing in Al-Lauh al-Mahfoodh, Revelation to Lower Heaven, and Revelation to our Prophet (SWS) by Jibreel.
This revelation occurred gradually according to Allah’s infinite wisdom. Whenever Allah intended to reveal certain verses, He would instruct Jibril to deliver them to Prophet Muhammad, the revelation was gradual to facilitate the learning and study process for the early Muslims. This approach made it easier for them to comprehend and apply its teachings.
The Quran was revealed in fragments, with verses being sent down in response to specific events and circumstances providing guidance, moral teachings, laws, and theological insights relevant to the needs of the community. Muhammad would memorize and recite the verses to his companions, who in turn would commit them to memory.
Meccan and Medinan Periods in the revelation stages
The Meccan Period in the stages of revelation of Quran spanning approximately 13 years, marked the initial phase of Islam’s dissemination. During this time, Prophet Muhammad’s focus was to introduce Islam’s core tenets, emphasizing monotheism, resurrection, and righteous conduct. The Meccan Surahs revealed amidst oppression by the Quraysh tribe, address moral issues and recount stories of past prophets, often in poetic language. Despite adversity, the Quran offered solace and guidance to the early Muslim community, advocating for justice, compassion, and fair treatment of marginalized groups.
The Medinan Period refers to the phase of the revelation when the Prophet Muhammad lived in Medina after he migrated from Mecca. This period spans approximately 10 years. During this Medinan of the stages of revelation of Quran, the focus shifted from the earlier emphasis on faith and monotheism towards more practical guidance and regulations for the Muslim community.
During this period, there was a shift from emphasizing faith to providing practical guidance for the Muslim community. The Quran addressed various topics, outlining regulations such as prayer schedules and fasting to foster unity. It discussed self-defense and engagement with non-Muslims, while also offering moral and ethical guidance for dealing with conflicts. Affirming Muhammad’s prophethood, the Quran maintained its eloquence and persuasive style, guiding the Muslim community effectively.
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Compilation of the Quran
The compilation of the Quran involved collecting and organizing the verses revealed to Prophet Muhammad into a book. This process occurred over several stages starting from the time of the Prophet and was completed after his death, under the caliphates of Abu Bakr and Uthman.
During Prophet Muhammad’s time, companions preserved Quran revelations meticulously, recording them on various materials and relying on strong memories. Caliph Abu Bakr initiated compilation due to significant losses of memorizers in the Yamamah battle. Zaid bin Thabit supervised the collection and transcription of Quran verses, aiming to verify and proofread each. Umar Ibn Al Khattab safeguarded the compiled Quran until his death, succeeded by his daughter Hafsah, who continued its preservation and played a vital role in its compilation.
During the reign of Uthman bin Affan, the compilation of the Quran was updated to accommodate the expansion of the Islamic state and new Muslims speaking different languages. This expansion led to pronunciation errors among non-Arabic speakers. To address this, Uthman standardized the Quran into a clearer format suitable for the diverse Muslim community. He obtained Quran scriptures from Hafsa, the wife of the Prophet, and ordered multiple copies to be made under the supervision of prominent companions such as Zaid bin Thabit and Abdullah bin Al-Zubair.
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