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evelation 151that we do not accept the traditional notion of synonymity betweenthe two terms. We reject the idea that both describe the process ofthe Qur"an’s ‘coming down’ indiscriminately as revelation to theProphet MuÈammad (ß). We believe, instead, that both terms supportour thesis of the division of the text into many variant sections thatdiffer in theme and status, at the centre of which is the divisionbetween verses of prophethood and verses of messengerhood, which,according to our analysis, have been revealed in different ways.References to both words in the Book will demonstrate the considerableextent to which the second form of the verb nazzala (in al-tanzÊl)differs semantically from the fourth form anzala (in al-inz§l).Verses that use anzala (noun: inz§l):…and We sent down 35 [anzaln§] iron… ( Al-\adÊd 57:25)O you children of Adam! We have bestowed [anzaln§] raiment uponyou to cover your shame, as well as to be an adornment to you…( Al-A#r§f 7:26)We have sent it down [anzaln§hu] as an Arabic qur"an…(Yåsuf 12:2)We have indeed revealed this [anzaln§hu] (message) in the night ofpower. ( Al-Qadr 97:1)…and sent down [anzaln§] to you manna and quails… ( Al-Baqara2:57)…and We send down [anzaln§] pure water from the sky. ( Al-Furq§n25:48)…and We have sent down [anzaln§] unto you (also) the message; thatyou may explain clearly to men what is sent for them, and that theymay give thought. ( Al-NaÈl 16:44)Verses that use ‘nazzala’ (noun: tanzÊl):It is We who have sent down 36 [nazzaln§] the qur"an to you by stages.( Al-Ins§n 76:23)The revelation of the book [tanzÊl al-kit§b] is from God the exalted inpower, full of wisdom. ( Al-J§thiyya 45:2)35All the translations that were consulted keep the spatial connotation of ‘comingdown’ [from heaven] which is, as it will become clear, not connotated in MS’s use ofthe word. The best translation of the term inz§l would be: ‘transformation of revelationso that it enters human consciousness’ and of tanzÊl: ‘delivery of revelation so that itpenetrates the human mind’.36Since the two terms are treated as synonyms, translators do not indicate asemantic difference. Therefore, one needs constantly to reread these verses in lightof the new definitions provided by MS and pay attention to whether the verse mentionsthe verb nazzala or anzala.