DRH :
The Qur’an was revealed over a period of approximately 23 years, in both Makkah and Madinah. Islamic legislation developed gradually according to the stages of the revelation and the community’s readiness to receive and implement the rulings. The Makkan revelations generally focused on faith, monotheism, morality, and character, while the Madinan revelations provided greater detail concerning legal and social matters.
A good example is the law of inheritance. Surah Al-Baqarah established a general principle concerning property and the rights of relatives after death, as stated in verse 2:180. Later, Surah An-Nisa provided detailed rules concerning the specific shares of heirs, including children, parents, spouses, and siblings, as explained in verses 4:11 and the verses that follow.
Another example of gradual legislation is alcohol. The Qur’an first highlighted its sin and harmful effects, then stated that its sin was greater than its benefit, followed by the prohibition of approaching prayer while intoxicated. Finally, the Qur’an commanded believers to avoid it completely.
These examples demonstrate why, when researching an Islamic ruling, it is important to consider the Qur’an as a whole rather than relying on a single verse or passage. The relevant verses should be examined together, along with their context and chronology, while also referring to the authentic Sunnah, which explains and elaborates on many Qur’anic rulings.
2026-09-14 04:23:05