The Revelation of the Qur’ān and the Tafsīr of Surah al-Qadr
This book, which aims to make a modest contribution to the field of Qur’ānic sciences and tafsīr studies, consists of two parts. In the first part, the issue of the nuzūl of the Qur’ān, which was sent as a guide and source of guidance for all humanity, is examined comprehensively and comparatively. A conceptual framework is drawn by addressing the lexical and terminological meanings of the word nuzūl, the concepts of inzāl and tanzīl, and the relationship of the Qur’ān with collective or gradual revelation. Additionally, focusing on the concept of wahy, the modes of communication between Allah, Jibrīl, and the Prophet, the nature of Lawh-i Mahfūz and Bayt al-‘Izzah, and how the modes of revelation mentioned in Sūrat al-Shūrā, verse 51, should be understood are explained. The impact of societal needs, questions, and problems on the revelation of verses and the subject of gradual revelation (tadrīj) are also emphasized. In the second part, Sūrat al-Qadr, which addresses the Night of Decree when the Qur’ān began to be revealed, is examined in detail. The names of the sūrah, the meanings of these names, its sabab al-nuzūl, the debates regarding whether it is Makkī or Madanī, and its place in the chronological order of revelation are explained using tables and analyzed extensively. In the context of Fadā’il al-Qur’ān, narrations regarding the sūrah found in classical sources are touched upon, and its characteristics are discussed in the context of Munāsabāt al-Qur’ān. Evaluations are made regarding the place of Sūrah al-Qadr in both the Mushaf arrangement and the order of revelation. Comments on the notion of the Night of Decree (Laylat al-Qadr) being “better than a thousand months” are included, as well as detailed lexical and grammatical explanations of the sūrah, differences in qirā’āt, the descent of the angels and the Rūh, and the nature of salām. As a result, the sūrah is interpreted in detail based on the views of both classical and modern mufassirūn.
Keywords: Tafsīr; Qur’ān; Revelation; Wahy; Surah al-Qadr