Al-Wahidi With Introduction

1 Asb b al-Nuz l By: Al ibn Ahmad al-W hid TRANSLATED BY Mokrane Guezzou Edited and with a brief Introduction by Yousef Meri The Complete Text 2008 Royal Aal al-Bayt Institute for Islamic Thought Amman, Jordan series Editor s Introduction and Foreword The Great Tafsirs of the Holy Qur an project ( ) of the Royal Aal al-Bayt Institute for Islamic Thought, Amman, Jordan ( ) is pleased to make available for the first time ever in English translation one of the most significant works in the branch of the Qur anic sciences ( ulum al-Qur an)

2 Known as asbab al-nuzul the occasions, reasons, and contexts for the Revelation of the Holy Qur an. The present work by Ali ibn Ahmad Al-Wahidi , (d. 468/1075) Asbab al-Nuzul is the earliest and best-known representative work of this genre. For most of the Qur an, the exact occasions and contexts of Revelation were not preserved in the historical record. However, for those that have been, the original context of the revelation of a particular verse of the Qur an will aid the reader in better understanding the historical context of the revelation and the issues that confronted the Prophet Muhammad and the nascent Muslim community.

3 Such issues as the relations between Muhammad and the Jews and Christians are highlighted herein. The reader will also discover details about the relationship of Muhammad to various individuals such as from among the Companions and Followers, groups and tribes such as the Aws and Khazraj, and also to the Ummah which give insight into his prophetic mission, his personal qualities and attributes such as his exemplary humility and generosity, his relationship to his enemies, his conduct of war.

4 How he dealt with false allegations of infidelity against his favourite wife A ishah, to cite but a few examples. Muslims and non-Muslims are often not aware of the occasions of the revelation of the verses when they quote verses from the Qur an. Thus, this leads to a situation whereby verses are quoted out of context, and misapplied in order to justify violent and inhuman acts in the name of Islam. It is often suggested by those who have little or no understanding of Qur anic exegesis that what is required is a reinterpretation of the Qur an to meet the demands of the 21st century.

5 Rather, it is knowledge of the history of the Qur an s interpretation coupled with an understanding of contemporary social and political issues which contribute to a better-informed understanding. In other words, the most pressing need as with any religious tradition or scripture, is to understand the fundamental sources particular to that tradition. Asbab al-Nuzul along with other works that appear in the Great Tafsirs series will elucidate the meanings of the Qur anic verses. Notwithstanding the translator Mokrane Guezzou s scholarly critical assessment of Asbab al-Nuzul, he concludes with a positive affirmation of Al-Wahidi s work and its importance to Islamic learning.

6 Moreover, the single volume length makes this an indispensable reference for students and scholars of Islamic and religious studies, and for those who have a particular interest in the Qur anic sciences. Mokrane Guezzou also undertook the translation of the second volume of the series , Ibn Abbas s (attrib.) Tanwir al-Miqbas fi Tafsir Ibn Abbas. Forthcoming titles in this series include Sahl al-Tustari s Ta fs i r, Osman Bakar s Scientific Commentary on the Qur an, Kashani s Ta wilat, Baydawi s Ta fs i r, Qushayri s Lata if al-Isharat, Nasafi s Ta fs i r, Tabari s Ta fs i r, and Fakhr al-Din al-Razi s Great Tafsir (Mafatih al-Ghayb).

7 Yousef Waleed Meri series Editor Amman, Jordan 24 Jumada I 1428/ 10 June 2007 ii Introduction The Qur an is the heart and soul of Islam. It is the ultimate and uncontested authority in the worldview of Islam which decides truth from falsehood and right from Everything that is Islamic has its origin in or takes inspiration from the Qur an, whether it is a question of norms of daily life, tenets of faith, law or spirituality.

8 The firm idea that the Qur an is Islam s normative text is not a belated conclusion that Muslim apologetics had awoken to or accredited their sacred Book with late in history. This is echoed time and again in the Glorious Qur an itself: (The month of Ramadan in which was revealed the Qur an, a guidance for mankind, and a clear proof of the guidance and the Criterion (of right and wrong)..) [II:185], (And We reveal of the Qur an that which is healing and a mercy for ) [XXVII:82], (Lo! This Qur an guideth unto that which is ) [XXVII:9]. This same firm conviction is also reiterated in many traditions of the Prophet of Islam, God s blessings and peace be upon him.

9 In one of these traditions he is reported to have said at the farewell pilgrimage (Hajjat al-Wada ), at the end of his sermon: I have left with you two things which, if you were to adhere to them, you will never err: the Book of Allah and my practice .2 In another tradition, Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib also reported that the Prophet said: [..] The Book of Allah contains the narrations of nations that have come before you and the news of nations that will come after you as it is the ultimate judgment between you [..]. Whoever seeks guidance in other than it, Allah will send him astray.

10 It is God s firm Rope, the Wise Remembrance and the Straight Path [..]. Its wonders are endless . And because the Qur an is the highest code for Muslims in everything relating to their spiritual, religious, ethical, social and legal matters, they have been strongly prompted to study and teach it. In fact, when carried out with sincere intention, studying the Word of God and teaching it to others is considered one of the greatest acts of worship in Islam. The best among you are those who learn the Qur an and teach it to others , declared the Messenger of God, God s blessings and peace be upon The prophetic Companions were in the habit of memorising small passages from the Qur an at a time, ten verses at a time as reported by the prophetic Companion Abd Allah ibn Mas ud.