All Praises belongs to Allah the Most High. Allah is the One who sustains life and causes death. I bear witness that He is alone above His throne in a manner that befits His Majesty. I also attest to the fact that Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) is His final Messenger sent to mankind and Jinn. To our topic:
This is part of a collection of terminology and jargon that the Muslim should know and understand. Included in this series is the difference between a Messenger and Prophet, the difference between Miskeen and Fuqarah, the difference between Islam and Iman and various others. This definition and benefit was taken from a course given at Madinah International University. The selections are my own based on what the ulema have mentioned in their books of Fiqh, Hadeeth, Usul and Tafseer. These definitions helped me to understand the language of the scholars better, in particularly religious verdicts. And I hope it will assist my brothers and sisters as well. Ameen.
بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
There are three opinions about the way a verse is either described as being Meccan or Madaanee. They are as follow;
- 1. Considers the place: Whatever was revealed in Mecca is Meccee and whatever was revealed in Madinah is Madaanee.
- 2. Considers the time: This means what was revealed before Hijra is Meccee and whatever was revealed after Hijra is Madaanee.
- 3. Considers the people being addressed. This means whatever addressed the people of Mecca is Meccan and vice-verse. i.e “Oh you who believe” [ Madinah] and “ Oh people…”[ Mecca]
The strongest opinion the ulema go with is number 2.
|
Madinah |
Mecca |
| Address the believers in Madinah with “ O you who believe….” | Calls to the oneness of Allah, establishes Prophet hood, and mentions the resurrection, and the rewards and penalties in the next life. |
| Addresses the people of the book . i.e the Jews and Christians. These verses invite them to Islam and sheds light on the alterations made their books Allah revealed. | Mentions paradise, hell, and the terrors of the Day of Judgement. |
| Exposes the hidden plots and plans of the hypocrites and explains their dangers to Islam. | Every surah which has a sajdah in it is Meccan , except (Hajj) |
| Explains the legislation, its boundaries, and its obligations. | Every surah which has (كلا) is Meccan |
| Debates the polytheists with intellectual proof and clear cut signs found in the universe’s structure. | |
| Mentions the stories of the previous nations, Prophets, offers comfort for the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), and reprimand the polytheists. |
- · The professor referenced his lecture from “ Itqan feeUloom Al-Quran By As-Suyouti and Muwaqi’ Uloom min Muwaqi’l Nujoum by Al-Balqeenee (may Allah have mercy on them both)
Translated by Abu Aaliyah Abdullah ibn Dwight Battle
Doha, Qatar © 1430H
The explanation is clear enough and i tank you very much may GOD the almight bless and add your knowledge on islam.
Precise and to the point.
Jazakallahu khairan! 🙂
I pray Allah reward you Abundantly
(Amin)