AN ANALYTICAL STUDY OF THE SAYINGS OF THE ‘ULAMĂ‘ REGARDING THE ARRANGEMENT OF THE SŪRAHS

Dr. Taha ‘Abidin Taha*

The researcher uses both the inductive as well as the dedective methods to study this subject. The paper is divided into an introduction, and three chapters. The paper deals with the following points:

• What is meant by Arrangement of Sūrahs.
• Opinions of the ‘ulamā’ about this subject with their proofs.
• Examining these opinions and selecting the preferable.
• In conclusion the ruling with regard to the arrangement of sūrahs in mentioned.

The paper has come out with the following conclusions:

1)      The difference of opinion in this subject is old, and every one of the three schools claims to have the backing of the majority of the ‘ulamā’. According to the researcher, the arrangement of the sūrahs is tawqīfī, and has been taught by the Prophet (Peace and blessings of Allah be upon him).

2)      This Prophetic arrangement has many merits and subtleties which our minds cannot comprehend.

3)      It is wājib to follow this arrangement in writing the mushaf. But in the recitation of Qur’ān and in salāh it is mustahabb, and it is permissible to follow a different arrangement. It is also permissible to follow a different arrangement for the purpose of teaching the Qur’ān by commencing with the shorter sūrahs.

4)      With a view to preserving the Glorious Qur’ān from tampering, a consensus has evolved on the fact that it’s wājib to follow the order of sūrahs as found in the Uthmānic Mushaf.

5)      The belief that the order of the sūrahs is tawqīfī calls for our sticking to it, and preserving it.

6)      In the light of these conclusions, the researcher has made a number of important recommendations some of which are:

• To highlight the stand that the rasm is tawqīfī, and to bring out the weakness of the other stand.
• To study the affinity between the sūrahs, and to carry on the great efforts made by the salaf in this field.

(*) Member Teaching Staff, Umm al-Qura University, Faculty of Da’wah and Usul al-Din, Makkah.

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