Appearance
The Occasion, Atmosphere and Climate of Revelation of the Qur'an
While Qur'anic exegetes have diligently explored the specific occasions and reasons for the revelation of individual verses, they have largely not delved into understanding the broader context encompassing the revelation of an entire sūrah and the climate of revelation which pertains to the entirety of the Qur'an. This broader horizon of revelation remains under-explored in existing exegeses.
The distinction lies between the specific incidents or events, known as the occasion or cause of revelation, which prompted the revelation of one or more Qur'anic verses during the Prophet's (s.a.w.) time within or beyond the region of Ḥijāz, and the broader context or setting, referred to as the atmosphere and climate of revelation.
The atmosphere of revelation, pertaining to a whole sūrah, involves the overall conditions, traits of the populace, events, and particular situations prevalent during the time a sūrah was revealed, both within Ḥijāz and beyond. Each Qur'anic sūrah inaugurates a distinct phase of revelation, beginning with the revered phrase "In the name of God, the All-Beneficent, the All-Merciful" (the basmala) and concluding with the basmala introducing the subsequent sūrah. While certain sūrahs, like Sūrah al-Ḥamd, Sūrah al-Anʿām, and Sūrah al-Naṣr, were revealed in their entirety at once, others unfolded gradually, over months or years. Certain events transpired and particular conditions were present in the lives of Muslims and the wider world during the revelation of a sūrah. Identifying and elucidating these events and conditions at the start of each sūrah would delineate the atmosphere surrounding its revelation. The climate of revelation, on the other hand, relates to the entirety of the Noble Qur'an, signifying the overarching temporal and spatial context within which the Qur'an was revealed. The Qur'an was revealed to the pure and noble heart of the Prophet (s.a.w.) across 23 years. During this period, various events unfolded both within the Islamic community and beyond, in the wider world. The prevailing conditions, thoughts, and the impact of the Qur'an's verses on the contemporary world all contribute to what is termed the climate of the Qur'an's revelation.
The distinction between the occasion, atmosphere, and climate of revelation extends beyond their respective scopes—the occasion being specific to verses, the atmosphere to an entire sūrah, and the climate to the entirety of the Qur'an—to encompass their interactions. The occasion of revelation is concerned with the direct impact of particular events on the revelation of verses. Conversely, the atmosphere of a sūrah's revelation and the climate of the Qur'an's revelation involve the dynamic interplay and mutual influence between the external atmosphere or the global environment and the revelation process. This implies that both the prevailing atmosphere and climate were instrumental in necessitating the revelation of sūrahs and the Qur'an, while simultaneously, the revelation of sūrahs and the Qur'an as a whole brought about transformative changes to the atmosphere and climate. This reciprocal relationship underscores the deep integration of the divine message with its historical and environmental context, highlighting the transformative impact of the Qur'an on its surroundings and vice versa.
Unlocking the depths of the Qur'an is partially dependent on comprehending the context of its revelation, including the specific circumstances (occasion), the broader situational background (atmosphere), and the overarching historical and cultural environment (climate) during which the verses were revealed. To explore the atmosphere of specific sūrahs and the general climate of the Qur'an's revelation, exegetes can draw from a diverse array of sources, including historical accounts, ḥadīth, and the Qur'an itself. Addressing the gap in understanding both the atmosphere of individual sūrahs and the overall climate of the Qur'an's revelation falls within the purview of Qur'anic exegetes. As a pertinent example, it is beneficial to illustrate the societal framework of Ḥijāz during the time Sūrah al-Nisāʾ was revealed to the Prophet (s.a.w.), which can offer insights into the specific atmosphere of revelation for this sūrah:
Sūrah al-Nisāʾ was revealed around the third or fourth year after the Hijra, during a period when Ḥijāzī society consisted of distinct groups with varied interests and allegiances:
Among them were the polytheists of Mecca, who were staunchly opposed to the Islamic movement, dedicating their efforts and resources to undermine the burgeoning Islamic system.
Additionally, there were internal hypocrites within the Muslim community itself, constituting over a third of its members. These individuals often engaged in espionage on behalf of external entities and posed significant challenges to the Islamic system at critical moments. This was evident during the Battle of Uḥud when over three hundred out of a thousand Muslim soldiers retreated from the battlefield, only to regroup and face the enemy once more. The prevalence of hypocrisy at this critical stage in Islamic history represented a grave threat to the newly formed Muslim community. Consequently, many verses revealed in Medina specifically aimed to unmask and address the scheming and treacherous behavior of these hypocrites.
The Jewish tribes residing around Medina played a significant role due to their substantial economic influence, primarily through usury and money-changing activities. The less affluent segments of Medina's population often found themselves borrowing from these tribes, leading to indebtedness and a perception of the Jewish tribes as economically advanced. These tribes maintained connections not only with the internal hypocrites within the Muslim community but also with the external polytheists opposing the Islamic system.
A group characterized by weak faith, distinct from the hypocrites, Jews, and polytheists. The Qur'an often describes them as those in whose hearts is a disease (8:49).
These four groups formed the core opposition to the Islamic system. Additionally, the Qur'an identifies a group known as the rumourmongers (murjifūn), who seized particular moments to spread demoralizing gossip and rumors, undermining the Muslim community's morale. These individuals were not a separate faction but rather emerged from within the ranks of the internal hypocrites or the Jewish communities in Medina. Their activities, characterized by the spread of destabilizing rumors, did not stem from a solid ideological foundation but were influenced by the agendas of others, serving as an extension of the existing opposition at critical times.
The revelation of Sūrah al-Nisāʾ occurred against this backdrop, making the understanding of these dynamics crucial for interpreting the sūrah, particularly verses 71 to 91.