Quran - Tafseer Sura Ikhlas (112) by Bilal Philip

Al-Halleemee, one of the major Qur’aanic scholars of that time said:
“Writing in the tenths and fifths 4 , names of the
chapters and the numbers of the verses are all
despised, based on Ibn Mas‘ood’s statement, ‘Free
the Qur’aan from any additions.’ However, vowel
marks, 5 are allowed because they do not have form
similar to that of the text of the Qur’aan. They are
only necessary indications of correct pronunciation
and their presence does no harm.” 6
In time, however, the opposition of the early scholars was overwhelmed by the
will of the masses and such additions became common place.
The Reason for Revelation
T
he Qur’aan is a book of guidance for all peoples in all times until the Day of
Judgment, showing them the correct path in their relations with their Creator
and in their relations with themselves as individuals and as groups. At the
same time, the Qur’aan was revealed to one man living in a specific time and
place among a specific community. On occasions, certain events would occur
about which the Prophet’s followers were unsure, or on other occasions they
might actually ask him about some matters which were unclear to them. In
response to these and similar needs, verses were revealed to the Prophet (r).
These events represent the context in which revelation came and are referred to as
“asbaab an-nuzool” (reasons for revelation). The Qur’aan, therefore, used
particular incidents to give instructions of universal significance.
The circumstances for a particular revelation could only be known to the
witnesses of the relevant events or someone who was informed by a witness.
4 I.e. a tenth portion of the Qur’aan and a fifth portion of the Qur’aan.
5 The grammarian, Abul-Aswad ad-Du’alee (d. 638 CE) was reported to have suggested to the
fourth Caliph, ‘Alee, that signs indicating vowelling be included in order to avoid
mispronunciation of the Qur’aan which could easily lead to the distortion of its meanings. The
marks which he developed are not the same as those used today. The Fat-hah (vowel “a”) was
indicated by a dot above the beginning of the letter; Kasrah (vowel “e” or “i” ) was indicated by a
dot below the beginning of the letter and Dammah (vowel “u”) was indicated by a dot at the end of
the letter. (Mabaahith fee ‘Uloom al-Qur’aan, pp. 150-151)
6 Mabaahith fee ‘Uloom al-Qur’aan, pp. 150-153.