Makki and Madni Surahs

After the first verses of revelation came informing the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلمthat he had been chosen for prophet-hood, Allaah sent Jibreel A.Sم to teach him the correct method of prayer. This was necessary because the correct method of prayer could not be arrived at by logical reasoning. Therefore, even the Prophet S.A.W himself had to be taught the correct method of worshipping Allaah. Thus, the early verses called upon the Prophet S.A.Wيand his early band of followers to make their Salaah regularly.

Since the kuffars of Makkah were in the habit of worshipping idols in the belief that these home-made gods would carry their prayers to Allaah for them, the early verses were also aimed at clarifying this misconception. The verses taught that Salaah should only be made for and to Allaah, as He is the only one who can answer them.

Since there was no way that human beings could possibly come to know about the unseen world, the early verses taught them about its wonders, its mysteries, and its horrors. The verses described Paradise and its pleasures in order to encourage the believers to continue to do good deeds and to assure them of a reward. They also described the Hell-fire and its torments in order to encourage the believers to strive to avoid evil deeds. Description of the fire and its inhabitants also reassured the believers that those who do wrong in this life will not escape Allaah’s punishment. Such descriptions were also aimed at scaring the disbelievers into reconsidering their position before it became too late. Some of the verses also reasoned with those who could not accept the resurrection by giving them examples from nature, such as rain falling on dead earth bringing it back to life.

َاللَّهُ الَّذِى أَرْسَلَ الرِّيَاحَ فَتُثِيرُ سَحَـباً فَسُقْنَاهُ إِلَى بَلَدٍ مَّيِّتٍ فَأَحْيَيْنَا بِهِ الاٌّرْضَ بَعْدَ مَوْتِهَا كَذَلِكَ النُّشُورُ﴾

• {And it is Allah Who sends the winds, so that they raise up the clouds, and We drive them to a dead land, and revive therewith the earth after its death. As such (will be) the Resurrection!} [Surah Faatir (35): 9]

• Others pointed out logically that the recreation of life would be easier than its creation, although it is all the same to Allah.
• {And He it is Who originates the creation, then He will repeat it; and this is easier for Him} [Surah al-Room (30): 27]

Makki and Madni Surahs

Makki Chapter

Madni Chapters

General Rules

The Features Of Makkan Revelations:

• Mention of 'Jihad' and detailing on its rulings.
• Details of Islamic jurispudence and legal system as well as laws governing family, money transaction, international law and acts of worship.
• Mention of 'hypocracy' and dealing with hypocrates.
• Any verse that starts with ي( O you who believe ).
• Long verses.
• Easy vocabulary.
• Arguments with the 'people of the Book' i.e., Jews and Christians.

• Any chapter that has a verse that commands to prostrate to Allah (Sajdah verses) is Makki, except chapters 13 and 22.
• Any chapter that contains the word kalla  (never) is Makki, and are found only in the second half of the Qur'an.
• Any chapter that has the phrase (Yaayha Al Naas) Oي Mankind, but does not have the phrase O you who believe is Makki, except chapter 22.
• All chapters that start with initial letters اchoppedلare Makki, except chapters 2,3 and 13.
• Any chapter that relates the story of Adam and Iblis (i.e., Satan) is Makki, except chapter 2.
• Any chapter that relates the stories of previous prophets and their people is Makki, except chapter 2.
• Short verses, and strong rhetorical style and rythmic sound.
• Repeated use of emphasis, exhortation, analogies and oath.
• Emphasis on the beleif in Allah, the Day of Judgement and description of Hell and Heaven (paradise).
• Call for adherence to good moral and universal characters like truthfullness, kindness to relatives, old and neighbour, etc.
• Argument with the polytheists and refutation of their associating partners with Allah.
• Warning the polytheists through stories of previous messengers when punishment came to thier people when they rejected their message.

THE FEATURES OF MADEENAN REVELATIONS

Introduction

• Tawheed:

When Islaam was first presented to the people of Makkah, they were in a state of disbelief. Most of them believed in Allaah (as the Lord, Creator, the Sustainer), but they did not worship Him alone. Rather, they put between themselves and Allaah many intermediaries. They made idols to represent these intermediaries and worshipped them instead of Allaah. Thus, the early revelations taught the people about Allaah’s unity (Tawheed) and power over all things. They told the people that Allaah was without parents, offspring or any partner who shared His powers. They also pointed out that idols could neither bring good nor hold back evil. And they questioned the logic of worshipping things which could not even see or hear.

These are general rules that should be considered when talking about Makki or Madani chapters:

• Judgement of Makki or Madani is possible only by authentic verdict of the companions of the Prophet Muhammad who witnessed the period of revelation of these chapters.
• By default, any Makki sura is entirely Makki, unless some verses of it is explicitly mentioned Madani by some authentic report. This is also true for Madani chapters.
• Madani verses can abrogate earlier Madani verses as well as any Makki verse. However, a Makki verse can not abrogate a ruling set by a Madani verse.
• Understanding of Madani chapters should be built on the earlier Makki verses. In general, understanding of any verse must be built on other earlier verses according to thier chronology of revelation.
• Revelation of a particular chapter can be interrupted by verses from other chapters

Laws:

Once Madeenah had become the new center of the Islaamic movement, theIslaamic state was born. The Prophet S.A.W became the ruler over the Muslims of Madeenah, as well as the Jews and the Arab idol-worshipers who lived there. A constitution was drawn up and a system of justice was established. Thus, the verses during the Madeenan stage contained many social, economical and spiritual laws which were necessary for the organization and the development of an Islaamic state. Zakaah, Sawm, and Hajj were revealed. Likewise, it was during this period that drinking alcohol, eating swine, and gambling were all forbidden

• During the twenty two year period of the Quranic revelations, Prophet Muhammad lived in Mecca for twelve years (610 622 A.D.) and in Medinah for ten (622 632 A.D.). Of the 114 Surahs of the Holy Quran, about 92 were revealed in Mecca and 22 in Medinah. Some surah are composite.
• Generally speaking, there are three characteristics which distinguish Meccan Surahs from the Medinite ones: 
• 1. The Meccan Surahs deal mainly with faith, while the Medinite Surahs deal mainly with action or the implementation of faith. 
• 2. Meccan Surahs are generally prophetic, while the Medinite Surahs deal with the realization and fulfillment of prophecies. 
• 3. Meccan Surahs emphasize Man's relationship with God, while Medinite Surahs emphasize man's relationship with fellow man and lay down rules and regulations for social and moral conduct. 

SALAAH:

THE MUNAFIQOON:

The Unseen:

For the first time since the beginning of the final message we find people entering Islaam, yet not believing in it. In Makkah, Muslims were oppressed and attacked, so no one would enter Islaam unless he truly believed. On the other hand, the Muslims of Madeenah were strong and they ruled the city. Thus, we find some people entering Islaam in order to benefit from its strength and to oppose it from within. `Abdullaah ibn Ubayy ibn Salool was about to be crowned King of Madeenah when the Prophet صS.A.Wمarrived. The Prophet S.A.W was made the ruler of Madeenah and IbnSalool’s hopes were ruined. Since the Muslims were strong and he could not openly oppose them, he accepted Islaam and worked against it from within. He eventually became the head of the Munaafiqoon (hypocrites). Thus, the verses of the Madeenan stage warned the Muslims about the dangers of the hypocrites and taught them how to deal effectively with them.

Research By:

M. Saeed

Compiled and Made By:

Aamish Ejaz CH

Emaan:

Jihaad:

Very few laws were revealed in the Makkan verses. Instead, the verses concentrated on the principles which would build the Eemaan of the early Muslims. These verses spoke of the importance of fearing Allaah and being aware of His presence and knowledge of all things. They were often filled with advice about being patient, perseverant, truthful and trustworthy, in order to build the moral spiritual character of the early Muslims who were in a minority and under a lot of pressure from Makkan society.

The right to fight against the enemy was given for the first time in al-Madeenah. During the Makkan period, Muslims were forbidden to fight back. This was for two basic reasons: (1) The Muslims were a minority and could easily be wiped out, and (2) only the strong could survive the test. TheMakkan period prepared the foundation of the Islaamic movement to come. It was during the Madeenan stage that a series of battles were fought against the forces of disbelief until finally Makkah was conquered and the whole of the Arabian Peninsula came under the rule of Islaam. Thus, a number of theMadeenan verses taught Muslims the Islaamic principles of war. For example, they taught how to deal with prisoners of war and they forbade retreat during an attack except as a trick to trap the enemy. They also encouraged the Muslims to prepare themselves with the best weapons and battle gear they could find.

Presented By:

Favad Nafees

Short Verses:

The Makkan Surahs usually had short verses, catchy rhymes, and a very strong rhythm. These qualities were meant to catch the attention of listeners who were basically opposed to the message of Islaam. The verses had to be short because the audience would not be willing to listen to long, drawn-out statements. As soon as they heard any of the Qur’aan, they would stick their fingers in their ears and turn away. Thus, the verses often had to strike home immediately.

JIHAAD:

The right to fight against the enemy was given for the first time in al-Madeenah. During the Makkan period, Muslims were forbidden to fight back. This was for two basic reasons: (1) The Muslims were a minority and could easily be wiped out, and (2) only the strong could survive the test. TheMakkan period prepared the foundation of the Islaamic movement to come. It was during the Madeenan stage that a series of battles were fought against the forces of disbelief until finally Makkah was conquered and the whole of the Arabian Peninsula came under the rule of Islaam. Thus, a number of theMadeenan verses taught Muslims the Islaamic principles of war. For example, they taught how to deal with prisoners of war and they forbade retreat during an attack except as a trick to trap the enemy. They also encouraged the Muslims to prepare themselves with the best weapons and battle gear they could find.

LONG VERSES:

The Madeenan verses tended to be longer than those of Makkah. In fact, there are a number of Madeenan verses which are longer than the whole Surahs of the Makkan period.