The Holy Quran with Five Volume Commentary (Vol 4) — Page 402
CH. 25 AL-FURQAN separate one from another. The addition of the infinitive to the verb is done in order to intensify the sense (Lane). Commentary: The Quran was revealed piecemeal and at intervals. This was intended to serve two very useful purposes: (i) The interval between the revelation of different passages afforded the believers an opportunity to witness fulfilment of some of the prophecies made in the passages already revealed and thus their faith became strengthened and fortified. Further it was intended to answer the objections raised by disbelievers during the interval. (ii) When Muslims needed guidance on a particular occasion to meet a particular PT. 19 prophecy of Prophet Isaiah that the last Divine Book would be revealed piecemeal and at intervals. The prophecy is as follows: Whom shall he teach knowledge and whom shall he make to understand the message? them that are weaned from the milk, and drawn from the breast? For it is precept upon precept; precept upon precept, line upon line, line upon line; here a little and there a little: for with strange lips and another tongue will he speak to this people (Isaiah 28:9-10). The words, "We have arranged it in the best form," signify that whereas the Quran was revealed gradually and piecemeal to meet the needs of changing circumstances, it did not remain a collection of disorderly need, necessary and fragments but was given a perfect relevant verses were revealed. order and arrangement by Divine Besides, the revelation of the Quran revelation. It may be noted here that was spread over a period of 23 years the present order of the Quran is in order to enable the Companions of different from that in which it was the Holy Prophet to remember, learn originally revealed. It was revealed in and assimilate it. Moreover, the an order which suited the needs and requirements of its immediate Quran had anticipated one possible objection of disbelievers and its addressees and was arranged, under Divine direction, in an order which gradual revelation was intended to suited the permanent needs of answer that objection. If it had been humanity at large. Since both these revealed at once and in the form of kinds of needs were different, the two one complete book, the disbelievers orders should necessarily have been could have said that the Holy Prophet different. It is indeed an outstanding had got it all prepared from miracle of the Quran that it was somebody. Thus its gradual revelation revealed in an order which was best at different times, on different suited for the needs of the period occasions and under vastly different during which it was revealed and was conditions and circumstances, arranged for permanent use in the effectively smashed this possible order which was also best suited for objection. Last of all there was a humanity's lasting needs. 2316