Guide for Citation: Ayuba Muhammad Kaura (2024). An Analytical Survey on the Views of Scholars on the First and Last Revealed Verses (Ayat) of the Glorious Qur'an. Middle East Res J. Humanities Soc. Sci, 4(4): 125-128
An Analytical Survey on the First and Last Revealed Verses (Ayat)
of the Glorious Qur’an
By
Dr. Ayuba Muhammad Kaura
Department of Islamic Studies
Federal University Gusau
08036308809, 08021452868
Abstract
The Glorious Qur’an is the book of Allah (S.W.T), revealed to
Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W) through Angel Jibril (A.S) over time in a gradual
manner. This was done to strengthen the Prophet, aid him, protect him against
those who opposed his message, and allow mankind to gradually absorb the laws
of Allah (S.W.T). This paper aims to analyze the views of scholars on the first
and last Qur’anic revelations to Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W). It also presents the
divergent opinions of different scholars on this subject. In conclusion, the
paper offers some recommendations and suggestions, supported by authentic
Ahadith of the Prophet (S.A.W), regarding the first and last revealed verses
(ayah) of the Glorious Qur’an.
Keywords: Qur’an, Survey, Verses
Introduction
The Glorious Qur’an is the book of Allah
(S.W.T), containing the very words of Allah revealed to Prophet Muhammad
(S.A.W) through Angel Jibril (A.S), just as the earlier books were sent to
Dawud, Musa, and Isa (Alayhimus-Salam). It was revealed for the admonition of
mankind, as the Glorious Qur’an itself testifies:
ولقد
يسرنا القرأن للذكر فهل من مدكر (سورة القمر)
And
assuredly we have made the Qur’an easy for admonition; is there then anyone who
would be admonished … (Q54:17).
The Glorious Qur’an is replete with historical discourse and allusions without being a book of history. While the Qur’an is easy for admonition, it is not easy in the absolute sense; it does not lack profundities of thought or subtleties of meaning. Its ease lies in the lessons of meekness, humility, and willing surrender to Allah (S.W.T) that can be deduced from it.
The
Prophet (S.A.W) and his Sahabah devoted themselves to understanding the Qur’an,
including the circumstances of its revelation, the times of its revelation, and
other historical events that occurred then. Therefore, it is essential to know
the first and last revealed Ayah to appreciate the meticulous attention to the
memorization and preservation of the Glorious Qur’an by the Sahabah (A.S). This
knowledge also aids in understanding the history of Islamic legislation and in
identifying the abrogative Ayah from the abrogated ones.
Views of
Scholars on the First Revealed Verse of the Glorious Qur’an
The
Glorious Qur’an contains 114 suwar (chapters), divided into two major
categories: Makkan and Madinan suwar. This division is based on where the
verses or chapters were revealed to the Prophet (S.A.W). Different scholars
hold varying opinions regarding the first verse revealed to Prophet Muhammad
(S.A.W). According to Al-Hakim (1978), Ubaid bn Amir, Amru bn Dinar, Bayhaqi,
and Abu-Musa believed that the first revealed verses to the Noble Prophet
(S.A.W) were the first five verses of Surah al-Alaq.
إقر
أباسم ربك الذى خلق (1) خلق الإ نسان من علق (2) إقرأ وربك الأكرم (3) الذى علم با
لقلم (4) علم الإنسان مالم يعلم (5)
Proclaim
in the name of thy load who created, man, out of a leech- like clot. Proclaim!
And your lord is most bountiful, he who taught (the use of) the pen, Taught man
that which he knew no(Q96:1-5).
To bark their view, they
quoted a Hadith thus:-
It was
reported by Aisha (R.A) who said; the first thing which the Noble Prophet
observed was a dream where a bright light was shown unto him on the importance
of going to The Cave of Hira, later the Prophet (S.A.W) reflected on what he
saw in the dream, then the Prophet devoted himself at the cave for a period of
days. As a result the Angel appeared to him where the (Angel) hold his chest
and pressed it hard for the first time, second time up to the third time,
commanding the Prophet to read. The Prophet (S.A.W) then replied to him: what
M’I to read? At last, the Angle recited to him the first five verses of surah 96.
However, some scholars believe that the first
Qur’anic verses revealed to the Prophet (S.A.W) were from Surah 96 and Surah
68. Among these scholars are Sufyan bn Naji’ah, Mujahid, and Abdul-Rahman.
Another perspective, shared by Abi-Salmah, states that when Jabir bn Abdullah
was asked about the first verse revealed to the Prophet (S.A.W), he replied
that it was Surah 74 (Q.74), which reads:
يأ
يها المدثر (1) قم فأ نزر (2) وربك فكبر (3) … الأ
ية
Jabir reported to have said: He heard the
Prophet (S.A.W) saying:
When I
was in the Cave of Hira, I heard a voice and I raised up my head, I then saw
Angel, this made me be afraid and be confused, I then quickly went to Khadijah
asking her to cover me with a wrapper, from then surah 74 was revealed to me.
But Imam Siyuti (n.d) opines that the question
posed to Jabir was about the revelation of the entire chapter, as Surah 74 was
revealed all at once (in bulk) before the completion of Surah 96. The first
five verses of Surah 96 were revealed earlier, indicating the start of the
Prophet's (S.A.W) prophecy, while Surah 74 was revealed later, signifying the
beginning of his messengership.
Similarly, some reliable narrations indicate
that the first five verses of Surah 96 were revealed to the Prophet (S.A.W) as
a sign of his prophecy, whereas Surah 74 came later, indicating his role as a
messenger. Supporting this view, a hadith narrated by Imam Bukhari and Muslim
reports that Aisha (R.A) stated the first inspiration received by the Prophet
(S.A.W) was the beginning of Surah 96 (إقرأ باسم ربك الذي خلق).
Although Imam Bukhari recorded the hadith with only the first three verses,
Imam Muslim extended it to the first five verses. Both traditions are affirmed
as sound hadiths, as related by Bayhaqi and Hakim.
Ali (1998) demonstrated that the first five
verses of Surah 96 were the initial direct revelation to the Noble Prophet
(S.A.W). After that, there was a period of interruption, extending over several
months or perhaps up to a year. Then Surah 68 is generally considered the next
revelation in chronological order. The remainder of Surah 96 was revealed soon
after the Fatrah (interval) and includes the command to preach, as it
elaborates on the primary obstacle to delivering the message: man's own
obstinacy, vanity, and insolence.
Zamak-Shari (1995) proposed that the majority
of expositors believe the first verses revealed were contained in Surah
al-Fatiha (Chapter 1). He justified this view with a narration by Imam Bayhaqi,
where the Prophet (S.A.W) reportedly said to Khadijah:
If I’m
isolated and I heard a call then I became afraid form, Khadija then replied
that may Allah protect you, since you are honest and trust. After a moment,
Abubakar (R.A) entered and found them discussing on the issue in which he
advised the Prophet to see Waraqah bn Nawfal, then the Prophet met Waraqah and
explained to him. Waraqah then advised the Prophet (S.A.W) not to be afraid and
he should wait and listen to what will come unto him. Later, the Prophet (S.A.W)
heard a voice saying: Oh Muhammad! Say in the name of your Lord, the Beneficent
the Merciful, praise be to Allah the Lord of the universe…
However, many scholars have opposed
Zamak-Shari’s view, including Imam Zurqani (1996). He argued that the tradition
suggesting Surah al-Fatiha was the first revelation cannot be relied upon for
two reasons:
Firstly, the context of the tradition does not
indicate that Surah al-Fatiha was the initial inspiration received by the
Prophet (S.A.W) while he was in the cave of Hirah. It is generally understood
to have been revealed after the significant event in the cave.
Secondly, the tradition cited by Zamak-Shari is
considered mursal, as its transmission chain is incomplete and does not include
the companion who reported it, making it less reliable compared to the sound
tradition narrated by Aisha (R.A.).
In his explanation, Ibn Hajar (1996) also
opposed Zamak-Shari's view. He asserted that the majority of scholars agree
that the first Qur’anic revelation occurred in the cave of Hirah, where the
first five verses of Surah al-‘Alaq were revealed. Only a minority of scholars
hold a different opinion. Narrated by Imam Ahmad, Aisha (R.A) is reported to
have said::
The
first inspiration the Prophet (S.A.W) received was at the Cave of Hirah when
the Angel came to him and said: Read! The Prophet (S.A.W) replied: I’m not a
reciter. Then the Prophet (S.A.W) said: the angel then hold me and pressed me
hard, he then released me and said: recite! I then replied to him I’m not a
reciter. The angel then pressed me hard for the second time up to third time
and then released me and said: recite in the name of your Lord, he recited up
to" علم الإ نسان مالم يعلم" Imam Ibn kathir (1990).
In 1977, Doi, maintained that, the first revelation of the Glorious
Qur’an began on the 15th night of the month of Ramadan in the
41st year after the birth of the Prophet (S.A.W). Its first surah
was revealed in the cave of Hirah when the verse "إ قرأ بإسم ربك الذى خلق" (Recite in the name of thy lord who created)
was revealed.
In a journal of El-Khanemi College of Islamic Theology
(2002), it is indicated that the first Qur’anic revelation took place at the
cave of Hirah where the first five verses of Q; 96 were revealed, and it
reads:
إ قرأ باسم ربك الذى خلق (1) خلق الإ نسان من علق
(2) إقر أور بك الأ كرم (3) الذى علم بالقلم (4) علم الإ نسان مالم يعلم (5)
In his explanation, Philips (1997) stated that
sections of the Qur’an were taken down from the lowest heaven by the angel
Jibril to Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W). This process of revelation continued over
the twenty-three years of his prophethood. It began with the first five verses
of Surah al-‘Alaq, which were revealed to the Prophet (S.A.W) while he was on a
spiritual retreat in the cave of Hirah.
Views of Scholars on the Last
Revealed Verse of the Glorious Qur’an
As scholars differ on the first Qur’anic
revelation, there is also a diversity of opinion regarding the last revealed
Ayah of the Qur’an. As-Sabuni (2003) explained that the majority of scholars
believe Q.2:281 is the last Qur’anic revelation. Among these scholars is Imam
Siyuti, who maintained that the last revealed Ayah was "وَاتَّقُوا
يَوْمًا تُرْجَعُونَ فِيهِ إِلَى اللَّهِ..." ("And fear a Day when you
will be returned to Allah..."). Imam Siyuti supported his view by quoting
the following Hadith:
Abdullahi ibn Abbas (R.A)
reported that the last revealed verse of the Qur’an was Surah 2:281:
"وَاتَّقُوا
يَوْمًا تُرْجَعُونَ فِيهِ إِلَى اللَّهِ ثُمَّ تُوَفَّىٰ كُلُّ نَفْسٍ مَّا
كَسَبَتْ وَهُمْ لَا يُظْلَمُونَ"
("And fear the day when
you shall be brought back to Allah. Then every soul will be paid what it
earned, and none shall be dealt with unjustly.")
This was transmitted by Imam
Nasa’i. Imam Siyuti expressed that the Prophet (S.A.W) survived only for nine
nights after the revelation of this Ayah and then died on Monday night on the
3rd of Rabi-Awwal.
However, some scholars
believe that the last revealed Ayah was Surah Al-Ma’ida (Q5:3), which states:
"الْيَوْمَ
أَكْمَلْتُ لَكُمْ دِينَكُمْ وَأَتْمَمْتُ عَلَيْكُمْ نِعْمَتِي وَرَضِيتُ لَكُمُ
الْإِسْلَامَ دِينًا"
("This day I have
perfected for you your religion, completed My favor upon you, and have chosen
for you Islam as your religion...")
Doi (1970) noted that this
verse was revealed on the 9th of Dhul-Hijjah in the 10th year of Hijrah, during
the Prophet’s (S.A.W) lifetime.
Imam
Siyuti (n.d) criticized this view, arguing that this verse was revealed during
the Prophet's (S.A.W) farewell pilgrimage at Arafat. He noted that the Prophet
(S.A.W) lived for eighty-one days after this event and passed away nine days
after the revelation of Q2:281, which is therefore the last verse revealed. He
emphasized that while Q5:3 marked the completion of religious laws, Q2:281 was
a final exhortation for Muslims to strengthen their faith and prepare for
accountability before Allah.
Other opinions include the
view that Q2:279 was the last verse, dealing with usury:
"يَا
أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا اتَّقُوا اللَّهَ وَذَرُوا مَا بَقِيَ مِنَ الرِّبَا
إِن كُنتُم مُّؤْمِنِينَ"
("O you who believe!
Fear Allah, and give up what remains of your demand for usury, if you are
indeed believers.")
Another perspective comes
from some scholars who suggest that the last revealed Ayah was Q4:175, which
addresses legal decisions about inheritance:
"يَسْتَفْتُونَكَ
قُلِ اللَّهُ يُفْتِيكُمْ فِي الْكَلَالَةِ..."
("They ask you for a
legal decision. Say: Allah directs (thus) about those who leave no descendants
or ascendants as heirs...")
Others consider Q18:109,
which emphasizes worship and the anticipation of meeting the Lord, as the final
revelation:
"فَمَن
كَانَ يَرْجُو لِقَاءَ رَبِّهِ فَلْيَعْمَلْ عَمَلًا صَالِحًا..."
("So whoever hopes for
the meeting with his Lord, let him do righteous work...")
Imam Az-Zuhuri (n.d) believed
that Q2:282, dealing with debt transactions, was the last revelation:
"يَا
أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا إِذَا تَدَايَنتُم بِدَيْنٍ إِلَىٰ أَجَلٍ مُّسَمًّى
فَاكْتُبُوهُ..."
("O you who have
believed, when you contract a debt for a specified term, write it
down...")
Some scholars argue that
verses 128 and 129 of Surah At-Taubah were the last:
"لَقَدْ
جَاءَكُمْ رَسُولٌ مِّنْ أَنفُسِكُمْ..."
("There has certainly
come to you a Messenger from among yourselves...")
Philips (1997) suggested that
the last revealed verses are found in Q110:1-4:
"إِذَا
جَاءَ نَصْرُ اللَّهِ وَالْفَتْحُ"
("When the victory of
Allah has come and the conquest...")
Imam Zurqani (1996) explained
that these verses signaled the Prophet's (S.A.W) impending departure, causing
Umar (R.A) to weep, stating that "anything that reaches its peak will
decline."
Other scholars propose that
Q4:93, concerning the punishment for intentionally killing a believer, was the
final verse:
"وَمَن
يَقْتُلْ مُؤْمِنًا مُّتَعَمِّدًا فَجَزَاؤُهُ جَهَنَّمُ خَالِدًا فِيهَا..."
("And whoever kills a
believer intentionally, his recompense is Hell, wherein he will abide
eternally...")
Some also argue that Q9:11
was among the last revealed verses:
"فَإِن
تَابُوا وَأَقَامُوا الصَّلَاةَ وَآتَوُا الزَّكَاةَ فَإِخْوَانُكُمْ فِي الدِّينِ..."
("But if they repent,
establish prayer, and give zakah, then they are your brothers in
religion...")
Finally, some claim that
Q3:195 was the last verse:
"فَاسْتَجَابَ
لَهُمْ رَبُّهُمْ أَنِّي لَا أُضِيعُ عَمَلَ عَامِلٍ مِّنكُم..."
("So their Lord
responded to them, 'Never will I allow to be lost the work of [any] worker
among you, whether male or female...'")
As reported by Ummu Salamah.
According to the journal of
El-Kanemi College of Islamic Theology (2002), this verse is specifically
focused on women.
Conclusion
To sum
up, we observe that various views have been analyzed by different scholars
regarding the first and last revealed verses of the Qur’an. The majority
opinion holds that the first revealed verses to the Prophet (S.A.W) were
Q96:1-5. This is supported by the fact that if "اقْرَأْ بِاسْمِ رَبِّكَ
الَّذِي خَلَقَ" ("Read in the name of your Lord who created")
were not the first revealed verses, the Prophet (S.A.W) would have recited what
had been revealed to him earlier instead of insisting, "I am not a
reciter." Additionally, the tradition reported by Aisha (R.A) about the
beginning of his inspiration indicates that the Prophet (S.A.W) had not seen
the angel before this incident. The narration clearly shows that Aisha (R.A)
directly heard this from the Prophet (S.A.W).
Regarding
the last revealed verses, scholars, including Qur’anic exegetes and Hadith
narrators, hold different opinions. However, most scholars agree that the first
Qur’anic revelation was Q96:1-5 ("اقْرَأْ")
and the last verse was Q2:281:
"وَاتَّقُوا
يَوْمًا تُرْجَعُونَ فِيهِ إِلَى اللَّهِ ثُمَّ تُوَفَّى كُلُّ نَفْسٍ مَا
كَسَبَتْ وَهُمْ لَا يُظْلَمُونَ"
("And
fear the Day when you will be returned to Allah, and every soul will be fully
compensated for what it earned, and they will not be wronged.")
Recommendations
Based on
the views presented, the predominant scholarly consensus affirms that the first
Qur’anic verses revealed to the Prophet (S.A.W) were the first five verses of
Surah al-Alaq, and the last verse was Q2:281 from Surah al-Baqara. The
revelation of "اقْرَأْ" marked the beginning of the
Prophet's (S.A.W) inspiration, and if this had not been the first revelation,
the Prophet (S.A.W) would have recited earlier revelations.
The first verses of Surah al-Alaq confirm the prophethood of the Prophet (S.A.W). Q2:281 is considered the last verse because reliable narrations state that the Prophet (S.A.W) lived only nine days after its revelation, passing away on Monday, 3rd Rabi-Awwal. No subsequent revelation followed this verse. Furthermore, this final verse serves as a reminder for Muslims to reaffirm their faith before the last hour.
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