THE WISDOM OF THE QUR’AN’S REVELATION IN STAGES

1. The Qur’an instituted a huge transformation never witnessed before throughout the world’s history, and established unprecedented  order. The principles and commands of the Qur’an were sent in stages so the people could gradually adapt to these changes.

It would have been impossible for the people who lived during the period of ignorance to suddenly abandon the bad principles and habits they were accustomed to. Indeed, this would have been  extremely difficult for humans by nature.

If the first command to those addicted to alcohol was to give up drinking, they would quite likely have objected or ignored the  command.

The Qur’an placed an emphasis on the people reaching a certain level of maturity and ascribed its commands in a gentle, gradual manner.

2. Additionally, as the revelations were sent, the Companions memorized the scripts and contemplated their meaning. At the same time, they were personally executing each of these commands. If the en- tire Qur’an was sent down at one time, understanding and applying these commands would have become extremely difficult.

3. The revelation of the Divine Scripts in stages was a great source of joy both to the Prophet and to the Muslims of that period. Under the oppression and hostility of their adversaries, the revelations were a source of consolation; it raised their spirits, they became even stronger and attained new dynamism.

4. Another reason for the revelations being sent in stages was to eliminate the disbeliever’s conception that “This was previously devised and written by humans.”

5. Finally; many of the verses of the Qur’an were clearly sent in connection with a specific question or event during that period. There- fore, it was quite natural for the revelations to be sent over a period of time.

 

Akgul, Muhittin. Tafsir: An Introduction to Qur’anic Exegesis. Tughra Books Press, Inc. 2013