Meccan Surahs and Verses

The emergence of the Quran from the unseen world into this world is called descent; the first place of this emergence is the heart of the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh). The surahs that were revealed before the migration of the Prophet are called Meccan, and those that were revealed after are called Medinan. Even those that were revealed in Mecca and other places after the migration are called Medinan surahs.

In addition to the disagreement about the names of the surahs and their order in the Quran, there are also different views on whether they were revealed in Mecca or Medina. The main reason for these different views is that no clear information has been narrated from the Prophet on this subject. In other words, the Prophet did not give any information about whether this verse or surah is Meccan or Medinan. There is only fragmentary information and narrations on this subject from some companions who witnessed the revelation, and these are insufficient.

Despite these disagreements, it is agreed that 20 chapters of the Holy Quran were revealed in Medina and 82 chapters in Mecca. There are different views on whether the remaining 12 chapters were revealed in Mecca or Medina. The differences in the definitions of Meccan and Medinan have also played a role in this. As Suyuti points out in his al-Itqan, there are three views on this issue:

1. The surahs and verses revealed before the Hijra are Makkan; those revealed after the Hijra are Civil. The criterion taken as basis in this is the time: the place of revelation is not taken into account. For example, the surahs and verses revealed after the Hijra during the Farewell Pilgrimage, in Mecca or during the journeys are considered Civil.

2. Those that were sent down in Mecca and its surroundings (such as Arafat, Mina, Muzdalifa, Taif) are Meccan; those that were sent down in Medina and its surroundings (such as Badr, Uhud) are civilized.

3. Those who address the people of Mecca are Meccan, and those who address the people of Medina are civilized.

However, this third view has not found many supporters. In the meantime, let us state that since the majority of the Quranic suras are revealed as a whole, in addition to suras that are revealed in parts, it should not be overlooked that there are Meccan verses in a Meccan sura and Meccan verses in a Meccan sura. In a mushaf printed in Egypt in 1342 AH, this is also indicated in the information given at the beginning of each sura, and if that sura is a Meccan sura, for example, the Medinan verses in it are specified.

There are some features that distinguish Meccan and Medinan surahs from each other at first glance. From this sentence:

a) Surahs that contain the word "kella" (the word "kella" is used 33 times in 15 surahs).

b) Surahs that contain verses of prostration.

c) Surahs with muqattaa letters at the beginning, except for Surah Al-Baqarah and Alu Imran.

d) Except for the Surah Al-Baqarah, the Surahs that contain the stories of the prophets, past nations, Prophet Adam and Iblis.

e) With some exceptions, the surahs that contain the address (ya eyyühennasü) are Meccan surahs that were revealed in Mecca.

The Madani suras are generally;

a) Contains issues related to criminal penalties and civil law.

b) Jihad and its rules are explained in these surahs.

c) Except for the Surah Al-Ankabut, the Surahs that mention the hypocrites were revealed in Medina because the emergence of the hypocrites was in Medina.

Apart from these, in general, Meccan surahs have a definite attitude towards vinegar, blasphemy and idolatry; in contrast, the existence and unity of Allah, as well as the principles of faith and the hereafter, are discussed. These surahs are generally short, and their verses are also short and easy to memorize (For more information, see Menna' el-Kattan, Mabahis Fi Ulumil-Kur'an, Cairo 1981, pp. 54-55).

There are many benefits to knowing the Meccan-Medani Surahs. First of all, this knowledge is of great help to those who want to interpret the Holy Quran. Although the meanings of the verses are generally considered and it is not a general rule that the reason or place of revelation determines the meaning; knowing where, who or what the verse or verses were revealed about greatly helps in understanding them.

On the other hand, especially for those who will explain and teach the Quran to new generations, the fact that the styles of address and style of preaching in the Quran are different from those addressed in Mecca and Medina provides guidance. In this way, it is better understood what kind of style should be used at which stages of Islamic preaching, and what style and methods should be used to preach to communities such as polytheists, infidels, people of the book, and believers.

Also, knowing the Meccan and Medinan surahs and verses provides great convenience in determining the abrogated and abrogated verses in the Qur'an. When two verses that seem to contradict each other are encountered, it can be easily understood that the earlier one in terms of time (for example the Meccan ones) is abrogated and the other abrogated (Menna' el-Kattân, Mebahis Fi Ulumil-Quran, p. 51).