Al-Furqaan (The Criterion)

32. “And those who disbelieve say: ‘Why has not the Qur’an been sent down upon him all at once? Thus (is it revealed), that We may strengthen your heart by it and We have rehearsed it to you in slow, well-arranged stages, gradually’.”

Pretext-seekers found new pretexts every moment. They sometimes said: Why is not revelation made to us? Sometimes they said: Why do not we see angel of revelation? Why does not the Prophet have money, palace, and gold? And sometimes they said:

“Why is not the Qur’an revealed to him all at once?”

The Qur’an has got two kinds of revelation: A) Instant revelation on the heart of the Prophet (S) that occurred in the night of Power, when all of the Qur’an was sent down to the Prophet’s heart. B) Gradual revelation that the Qur’an was sent down on special occasions during 23 years.

Any way, the word ‘Kaǒalika’ (thus) is the answer of them, that is, the advantage and wisdom of gradual revelation of the Qur’an is to make the heart of the Prophet (S) stronger and to make memorization and keeping of the Qur’an easier.

Moreover, there are abrogating and abrogated verses in the Qur’an and every answer must be exactly for a question and these are not consistent with instant revelation of the Qur’an. In addition, the Prophet (S) was illiterate and he did not know writing and reading, so to make him understand the revelation, the Qur’an was sent down gradually, while Moses and Christ knew writing and reading.

Explanations

1. Gradual revelation of the Qur’an is the factor of continual and permanent relation of the Prophet (S) with the source of revelation and it makes him stable in his way. It shows that prophethood is not a temporal matter.

2. A religion that is comprehensive and enlivened has a strong relation with events and occasions. And events and occasions occur gradually, not instantly.

3. To obey all orders and to avoid prohibitions instantly was difficult for common people and it caused them distress and constriction.

4. Since each Surah and verse of the Qur’an was by itself, a miracle, its gradual revelation was as a continual miracle and each miracle soothed the heart of the Prophet (S) against enemies’ oppression.

5. There is much difference between revelation of each verse according to special position and instant revelation of all verses regardless of situations.

6. Some verses are the answers of people’s questions.

Therefore, a question must first be raised and then its answer be given. Some verses and judgments were descended for a certain period; so a verse must be sent down to annul them.

Slowly and Distinctly Reading of the Qur’an (Tartil)

The Prophet (S) said:

“Tartil is to recite the Qur’an distinctly (not like reading poem and prose). When you reach its wits, you stop and purify your Heart and spirit. Your aim of recitation must not be reaching the end of Surah.”1

Imam Ali (as) said:

“The purpose of Tartil is to stop when it needs full stop and articulation of letters.”2

Imam Sadiq (as) said:

“Tartil is to recite the Qur’an beautifully and slowly. It is to stop and to resort to Allah, when reciting the verses that are about the Fire and punishment. It is to pray and to ask Allah the Heaven, when verses about the Paradise are read.”3

In the end, it is understood from all narrations and the words of commentators that Tartil is to recite the holy Qur’an slowly and in proper order.

Reading must be done verse by verse and they must not be mixed, so that the verses can enter the conscience of society and used by next generations. Therefore the future ages can use the light of its guidance and make dark places of their life lighted by it.