Clarifying the Quran: Insights on Order, Prioritization, and

⚠️ Disclaimer: This article has been translated by AI for readability and ease of access. You can find the original article here:
<a href=”https://t.me/DrAkramNadwi/5520″ target=”_blank”>https://t.me/DrAkramNadwi/5520

✍️ By: Dr. Mohammad Akram Nadwi, Oxford

❓ Question 1:
There are two arrangements of the Quran: the chronological order of revelation (نزولی ترتیب) and the written compilation (تدوینی ترتیب). Wouldn’t the Quran be more credible if it were kept in its chronological order? What could be the wisdom and reasons for changing the chronological order?

✅ Answer 1:
📖 The Quran is a “Book,” and it is repeatedly referred to as such in the Quran:
🔹 “Alif, Lam, Meem.

This is the Book, about which there is no doubt, a guidance for those conscious of Allah” (Surah Al-Baqarah 1-2)
🔹 “And He teaches them the Book and wisdom” (Surah Al-Baqarah 129)

🕋 Every book has a central theme, and that theme is broken down into components and arranged systematically. The Quran also follows this structure:
1️⃣ Introduction: Surah Al-Fatiha
2️⃣ Groups: Different sections of Surahs
3️⃣ Verses: Each Surah is made up of verses

📜 Why the current order?
The Quran exists with Allah in a well-ordered form, and under divine guidance, the Prophet ﷺ recited and preserved it in this order. This arrangement maintains the internal context and makes understanding easier.

⏳ Chronological Order:
The verses were revealed as per the Prophet’s circumstances, with revelations providing guidance at the right time. This is called the external context or Shan-e-Nuzool (reasons for revelation).

Today, circumstances differ, so there’s no need to keep the chronological order. Scholars choose verses based on relevance to the audience. Understanding the chronological order helps, but the current arrangement preserves the internal coherence.

📚 Conclusion:
The Quran is a well-structured book, and keeping it in its current order is the correct approach. Otherwise, the whole system would collapse. The internal and external context both aid in understanding it better.

❓ Question 2:
My teacher specialized in Islamic jurisprudence (فقہ). When I asked which discipline I should give more importance to, he advised me to focus on Fiqh. Why didn’t he mention the Quran? In general, why is the Quran not given the highest priority in our institutions? What are the reasons, harms, and possible remedies?

✅ Answer 2:
📖 In this religion, the Quran is the only book of guidance, and the Sunnah is its explanation. In the early centuries, these two sources were of utmost importance. Jurisprudence (Fiqh) is how scholars of different times solved people’s issues based on the Quran and Sunnah. Since people’s conditions change, so do the solutions provided by scholars.

📜 Order of Study:
The Quran is the primary source of guidance, the Sunnah explains it, and Fiqh holds historical significance. This sequence should also be reflected in our educational curriculum. It is essential to understand that Fiqh is the result of human thought and is bound by time and context.

🛑 Current Situation:
Your teacher’s advice reflects a traditional mindset, which has distanced Muslims from the Quran and Sunnah. The Quran has been reduced to being a book recited only in Tarawih prayers. It no longer provides guidance for any occasion nor does it offer solutions to issues. Similarly, the significance of the Sunnah has been diminished, and even Hadith has been made subservient to Fiqh. This is a great disservice to the status of Prophethood.

❓ Question 3:
The Quran uses parables (امثال) in its narrative, as it says: “And Allah presents examples for the people.” Can some aspects of the Quran’s narrative be symbolic, similar to the symbolic narrative in fictional literature?

✅ Answer 3:
📖 The Quran is divine revelation, which means to make things clear. Through it, Allah has made His commands and prohibitions clear to His servants. The Quran is repeatedly referred to as “Al-Kitab Al-Mubeen” (the clear book). Its verses are described as “clear signs,” confirming its clarity.

🌟 Early Understanding:
The Prophet ﷺ and the early generations understood the Quran as a clear book, free of ambiguity. However, certain groups like the Shia and some Sufis treated the Quran as a “coded book,” interpreting every statement symbolically. This approach distorts the Quran’s clear Arabic language into something enigmatic and complex.

❌ Conclusion:
Considering the Quran as symbolic undermines Allah’s mercy and opens the door to misguidance. May Allah protect us from all trials. Ameen.