ulum-al-quran

'They ask you (O Muhammad) concerning the Spirit. Say: "the Spirit", its knowledge is with
my Lord and from the knowledge it is only a little that has been given to you (mankind)' (17:
85).
The second report, although the first one has been declared sahih by Tirmidhi, is considered to be stronger because it
comes from Ibn Mas'ud, who says that he was present on the occasion of the revelation, while the report from Ibn 'Abbas
in Tirmidhi does not contain this information. [See Salih, op.cit., pp. 145-6; Bukhari, VI, No. 245.]
Specific or General
Another question leads directly to the field of tafsir, but is still connected with asbab al-nuzul. When one knows about the
sabab al-nuzul, it is still to be decided whether the revelation has a specific implication for the particular occasion it was
connected with, or whether it is of general implication and needs to be applied by all Muslims at all times.
'As to the thief, male or female, cut off his or her hands: a punishment by way of example,
from God, for their crime: and God is exalted in power' (5: 41).
This verse although it was revealed concerning a specific person who had stolen a piece of armor and had been punished
accordingly, is of general application. [See Wahidi, op.cit., p.111; also Tafsir Ibn al-Jauzi, Beirut, 1964, Vol.II, p.348.]
What is not Asbab al-Nuzul
In some cases scholars have provided us with the background of certain events that have been narrated in the Qur'an.
Obviously, however, such information does not belong to the field of asbab al-nuzul. Although it may help to understand
the message of the revelation, it is not related in a direct and reliable way, showing immediate reason for or the occasion
of the revelation.
'Seest thou not how thy Lord dealt with the companions of the elephant' (105:1).
The following passage from a book of tafsir, although it contains information about the background of the event narrated
in the sura, does not belong to the field of asbab al-nuzul:
Summary
(The companions of the elephant) had come from the Yemen and wanted to destroy the Ka'ba (they
were) from Abyssinia and their leader was Abraha al-Ashram, the Abyssinian. [Tujibi, mukhtasar min
tafsir al-Tabari, Cairo, 1970, II, p.529.]
The branch of 'ulum al-Qur’an concerned with the asbab al-nuzul is one of the most important areas of knowledge for the
proper understanding and explanation of the Qur'anic revelation. The message of the Qur'an is guidance for all times.
However its ayat were revealed at particular points of time in history and in particular circumstances.
One of the most crucial steps in meaningful interpretation is to distinguish between that part which is attached solely to
the historical event and that part, which, although attached to the historical event, also has wider implications. The
knowledge of asbab al-nuzul helps to distinguish between these two by:
Clarifying the events and circumstances, which are connected with the revelation of certain ayat.
Illustrating the application of such ayat by referring to situations, when the Companions of the Prophet
found them proper and applicable.
AL-NASIKH WA AL-MANSUKH
The revelations from Allah as found in the Qur'an touch on a variety of subjects, among them beliefs, history, tales of the
prophets, day of judgement, Paradise and Hell, and many others. Particularly important are the ahkam (legal rulings),
because they prescribe the manner of legal relationships between people, as Allah wishes them to be observed.
While the basic message of Islam remains always the same, the legal rulings have varied throughout the ages, and many
prophets before Muhammad brought particular codes of law (shari'a) for their respective communities.
The Arabic words 'nasikh' and 'mansukh' are both derived from the same root word 'nasakha' which carries meanings
such as 'to abolish, to replace, to withdraw, to abrogate'.