While I was with Aisha, the mother of the Believers, a person from Iraq came and asked, "What type
of shroud is the best?" `Aisha said, "May Allah be merciful to you! What does it matter?" He said, "O
mother of the Believers! Show me (the copy of) your Qur'an," She said, "Why?" He said, "In order to
compile and arrange the Qur'an according to it, for people recite it with its Suras not in proper order."
`Aisha said, "What does it matter which part of it you read first? (Be informed) that the first thing that
was revealed thereof was a Sura from Al-Mufassal, and in it was mentioned Paradise and the Fire.
When the people embraced Islam, the Verses regarding legal and illegal things were revealed. If the
first thing to be revealed was: 'Do not drink alcoholic drinks.' people would have said, 'We will never
leave alcoholic drinks,' and if there had been revealed, 'Do not commit illegal sexual intercourse, 'they
would have said, 'We will never give up illegal sexual intercourse.' While I was a young girl of
playing age, the following Verse was revealed in Mecca to Muhammad: 'Nay! But the Hour is their
appointed time (for their full recompense), and the Hour will be more grievous and more bitter.'
(54.46) Sura Al-Baqara (The Cow) and Surat An-Nisa (The Women) were revealed while I was with
him." Then `Aisha took out the copy of the Qur'an for the man and dictated to him the Verses of the
Suras (in their proper order) .
Narrated by Narrated Yusuf bin Mahk:
Context
In this hadith, Aisha, the mother of the believers, addresses a question about the arrangement of the Qur'an. She explains that the early revelations focused on fundamental beliefs about Paradise and Hell before addressing legal matters. This highlights the gradual approach of divine revelation, which was tailored to the needs of the early Muslim community, ensuring a smooth transition into Islamic teachings.
Modern Application
This understanding of the Qur'an's revelation can encourage individuals to approach its teachings with patience and context. Recognizing the gradual development of laws can foster a more compassionate and understanding attitude towards others' learning journeys.
Topics
This hadith is tagged with Quran and Divine Revelation because it illustrates the process of how the Qur'an was revealed in stages, addressing the needs of the community at that time.
And [remember] when the Prophet confided to one of his wives a statement; and when she informed [another] of it and Allah showed it to him, he made known part of it and ignored a part. And when he informed her about it, she said, "Who told you this?" He said, "I was informed by the Knowing, the Acquainted."
And thus We have revealed to you an Arabic Qur'an that you may warn the Mother of Cities [Makkah] and those around it and warn of the Day of Assembly, about which there is no doubt. A party will be in Paradise and a party in the Blaze.
