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Why was the Quran revealed gradually?
Why wasn't Quran revealed at once, but revealed by stages?
“However, the deniers said: “The Qur’an should have been sent down to him once in total, shouldn’t it?” To strengthen your heart by it, thus it is so (We have sent down little by little) and We have read it (to you) slowly.” (Al-Furqan, 32)
“And (it is) a Quran which we have divided (into parts), in order that you might recite it to men at intervals. And we have revealed it by stages.” (Al-Isra, 106)
Verses of the Quran were revealed gradually in proportion to the events and the people’s benefits, needs and the situations
For instance;
The first revealed verse on (reduction) alcoholic drinks is as follows;
“And of the fruits of the date-palm, and grapes, whence ye derive strong drink and (also) good nourishment. Lo! therein, is indeed a sign for people who have wisdom.” ( An-Nahl 67)
Before this ayah’s revelation drinking wasn’t forbidden by Islam. So Muslims went on drinking as they used to do before before converting to Islam. After this ayah’s revelation, Hadrat Omar and Muaz Ibn Jabal came to Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) and said;
“Oh Rasulullah! Give us a satisfactory explanation about alcoholic drinks and gambling; for they disturb the mind and destroy the property.”
There upon, the 219th verse of the Surah “al Baqara” was revealed:
“They ask you (O Muhammad) concerning alcoholic drinks and gambling. Say: "In them is a great sin, and (some) benefit for men, but the sin of them is greater than their benefit." …Thus Allah makes clear to you His verses in order that you may give thought.” (Baqara: 219)
When this verse was revealed some Muslims thought that In that ayah, alcoholic drinks and gambling weren’t forbidden; furthermore, they had some benefits to humans) and went on alcohol use But some Muslims thought that “It is declared in the ayah that they have a great sin.” and quit drinking alcohol.
The third ayah revealed on alcohol is:
“O you who believe! Do not come near prayer while you are drunk till you know what you are saying nor while you are unclean (i.e., after ejaculation or intercourse) - unless you are travelling on the road- till after you take a major bath… Doubtless, Allah is abundantly Pardoner, abundantly Forgiving." (Nisa 43)
This verse, which was revealed upon some people’s reciting Quran in the wrong way in the prayers as imams (prayer leaders) while they are drunk, is the first verse declaring that alcohol is only forbidden during the prayer times. After the revelation of this ayah, Muslims quit drinking during the prayer times.
However later on, upon some drunk people’s hurting each other in a fight, Hadrat Othman prayed as follows: “O my Lord! Tell us Your decision about alcoholic drinks clearly!”
Upon this invocation, alcohol was forbidden for the fourth and the last time by these verses:
“O you who believe! Intoxicants (all kinds of alcoholic drinks), and gambling, and stone altars (idols), and (divination by) arrows are an abomination of Satan’s handiwork. So avoid (strictly all) that (abomination) in order that you may prosper.
Satan's plan is (but) to excite enmity and hatred between you, with intoxicants and gambling, and hinder you from the remembrance of Allah, and from prayer: will ye not then abstain?” (Maidah 90, 91)
In this way, Allah (swt) forbade the alcoholic drinks gradually, in four stages. Because, before Islam, a great number of people had alcohol addiction and also they made big profits by alcohol trade. If alcoholic drinks had been forbidden at once, it would have been extremely hard and difficult for the Muslims to internalize the prohibition.
Gradual change is the most effective and natural way of reform
Today, it is well-known and admitted and experienced by today’s sociologists and psychologists that the gradual treatment of an addiction is better and more effective than any other programs. This method is acceptable for many issues, like reforming a lifestyle, giving up harmful habits and many other changes. Because it is easier and more admissible for human soul to understand, internalize and implement a new habit gradually than adopting it at once. Shortly, gradual change, as Quran followed, is the most natural, steady, substantial and the most admissable way for the human soul.
If we consider that Quran verses aim to reform not a small society or a few individual bad habits; but the whole humanity and great number of social problems and addictions; we will exactly comprehend the wisdom why the Quran was revealed gradually.
Gradual revelation is the best way to transmit the verses authentically
Besides, the authentically preservation and the transmission of the verses could only be possible with their strongly memorization by Prophet Muhammad (pbuh). The best way of the preservation is being revealed gradually, in stages. Kaynak: http://askaquestionto.us - Why was the Quran revealed gradually?