Transliteration:( Wa izaa baddalnaaa Aayatam makaana Aayatinw wal laahu a'lamu bimaa yunazzilu qaalooo innamaa anta muftar; bal aksaruhum laa ya'lamoon )
228. From this we understand that there has been abrogation in Quranic verses, abrogation in respect of recitation and abrogation in respect of laws. To raise objections in respect of abrogation and not understanding the wisdom thereof is indeed the way of the infidels. If there was nor abrogation in the Quranic verses, then how come the Taurah and Injeel are presently abrogated? Abrogation is no proof of Allah Almighty's lack of knowledge, but this has been caused by our changing conditions.
229. This means Allah Almigthy is fully aware about His wisdom and the expediency of His servants.Â
The time when a particular injunction was revealed, it was most suitable for it. If a doctor brings about a change in his prescription, he does so in accordance with the change in the condition of the patient.
230. Reason for its Revelation:
Abdullah ibn Abbas (May Allah be pleased with him) said that when severe laws would be revealed, the believers would carry them out bravely and steadfastly, though this would bring about difficulties for them. Then a few days later when lighter laws would be revealed the disbelievers would say that the Holy Prophet صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم is joking with his Companions as he was conveying all these from himself. If this was Divine Message, then those lighter injunctions which were revealed today could have been revealed earlier. Did Allah Almighty not have knowledge of this (Allah forbid) that abrogated injunctions would not be suitable! This verse was revealed to refute this idle talk of the infidels.
231. This means that most infidels raise objection in respect of abrogation because of their own ignorance, as they are unaware of the wisdoms connected with this. But there are others who despite having the knowledge of these wisdoms still raise objections, due to their stubbornness. For a detailed discussion on questions and answers, read Tafseer Naeemi, Para Three.
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101. And when We change a verse in place of another – and Allah knows best what He reveals – they (the disbelievers) say: “You (O Muhammad) are but a forger.†Rather, most of them know not. 102. Say (O Muhammad); “Ruh-ul-Qudus has brought it (the Qur’an) down from your Lord with truth.†for the conviction of those who believe, and as a guide and good news for the Muslims.
Allah tells us of the weak minds of the idolators, and their lack of faith and conviction. He explains that it is impossible for them to have faith when He has decreed that they are doomed. When they saw that some rulings had been changed by being abrogated, they said to the Messenger of Allah :
(You are but a forger) meaning one who tells lies. But Allah is the Lord Who does whatever He wills, and rules as He wants.
(And when We change a verse (of the Qur’an) in place of another) Mujahid said: this means, “We remove one and put another in its place.†Qatadah said: this is like the Ayah:
(Whatever verse We change ﴿abrogate﴾ or omit ﴿the abrogated﴾…)†(2:106). Allah said, in response to them:
(Say: “Ruh-ul-Qudus has brought it…â€) meaning, Jibril,
(from your Lord with truth, ) meaning, with truthfulness and justice
(for the conviction of those who believe,) so that they will believe what was revealed earlier and what was revealed later, and humble themselves towards Allah.
(and as a guide and good news for the Muslims.) meaning He has made it a guide and good news to the Muslims who believe in Allah and His Messengers.
102. This may also mean: To send down one commandment to elaborate upon the other, for the commandments were sent down piecemeal in the Quran. For instance, the commandments about prohibition and fornication were sent down gradually one after the other during several years. But We hesitate to accept this interpretation because An-Nahl is a Makki Surah and to the best of our information there is no instance to show that commandments were sent down piecemeal at Makkah. Therefore, we prefer the other interpretation. The Quran has added details of one theme and explained the same with different kinds of illustrations at different places. Likewise it has related a story in different words at different places and presented its different aspects and details at other places. It has put forward one argument at one place to prove a theme and another at another place to prove the same theme. It has related one theme concisely at one place and in detail at the other. That is what the disbelievers of Makkah put forward as proof that Muhammad (peace be upon him) forged the Quran himself. They argued like this: Had the Quran been the Word of Allah, it would have related one thing in full at one place, for Allah’s knowledge is not defective that He should have to think out gradually the details of a theme and to give different versions to explain the same thing. In contrast to this, the knowledge of a human being is defective. A man has to think out gradually as has been done in the case of the Quran which is a clear proof that you have forged it yourself.
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