Intermediate
Quranic Sciences
Surah: Al-Baqarah (106)
Abrogating and Abrogated — Divine Legislative Development
مَا نَنسَخۡ مِنۡ ءَايَةٍ أَوۡ نُنسِهَا نَأۡتِ بِخَيۡرٍ مِّنۡهَآ أَوۡ مِثۡلِهَآ
— البقرة الآية 106
Definition:
Naskh: lifting a preceding Sharia ruling by a subsequent legal evidence.
Nasikh: the abrogating evidence. Mansukh: the abrogated ruling.
Types: (1) Both recitation and ruling abrogated. (2) Ruling abrogated, text remains — most common. (3) Recitation abrogated, ruling remains — rare.
Example: Widow's waiting period was one year (2:240), then abrogated to four months and ten days (2:234).
Wisdom: Gradual legislation respecting people's capacity.
Naskh: lifting a preceding Sharia ruling by a subsequent legal evidence.
Nasikh: the abrogating evidence. Mansukh: the abrogated ruling.
Types: (1) Both recitation and ruling abrogated. (2) Ruling abrogated, text remains — most common. (3) Recitation abrogated, ruling remains — rare.
Example: Widow's waiting period was one year (2:240), then abrogated to four months and ten days (2:234).
Wisdom: Gradual legislation respecting people's capacity.
Source: Al-Suyuti, Al-Itqan (3/61); Al-Zarkashi (2/29)
Test Yourself
What is the most common type of abrogation in the Quran?
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