Approaching the West — Page 143
A pproaching the West—143 itself. The reference is to the revealed messages given to previous Prophets of God. Some previous revelations had become either antiquated or forgotten. The new communications sent down to Prophet Mu ḥ ammad (peace and blessings of All ā h be on him) replaced them. The Qur’ ā n superseded the instructions given through some of the past Prophets. Taking the word “ Ā yah” in the sense of a legal code, the “abrogation of Signs” would mean that in certain matters, the Law of Isl ā m is different from some of the previously revealed religious instructions. Obviously, in such a case the followers of the previous scriptures would not like this change, and they would erroneously regard it as an evidence of the Qur’ ā n being a forgery. And when we bring one Sign [ Ā yah] in place of another—and All ā h knows best what He reveals—they say, ‘You are but a fabricator. ’ Nay, most of them know not. (16:102) The previous Scriptures were meant for specific people and for a limited time. The verses of the Qur’ ā n gave comprehensive and global instructions to mankind for all times to come. This is a Book whose verses have been made unchangeable and then they have been expounded in detail. It is from One Wise, and All-Aware. (11:2) Abrogation of some of the Signs may also mean that if the disbelievers express their repentance during a course of given time, a “warning of punishment” promised to the