The Traditions of Revelation: An Analytical Study of their Effects on Tafsīr Literature

Abstract

Sabab al-Nuzūl (cause of revelation) in Qur'anic studies means the time, context, cause, and the situation in which Allah has revealed verses. Cause of revelation has an important role in the interpretation of Qur’ān. Nevertheless,most of the verses and suras of Qur’ān are revealed independent of events, these verses are revealed to fulfill the general aim of Waḥī which is the guidance of people. Such knowledge is an invaluable tool for grasping the meaning of this type of Qur’ānic verse. Many Muslim scholars consider the studying of Asbāb alNuzūl and their related discussions as necessary. Some exegetes have written books studying the subject. The earliest and the most important work in this genre is undoubtedly Kitab Asbāb al-Nuzūl (Book of Occasions of Revelation) of ‘Alī bin Aḥmad al-Wāḥidī (d. 1075 CE). Another important work is by al-Suyūṭī (d. 1505 CE) which is a slight improvement of al-Wāḥidī’s book. In this paper descriptive method and comparative study are used to analysis traditions of revelation and their effects on Tafsīr literature. This paper proves the value of the causes of revelation in Qur’ānic Interptation and their effects on Tafsīr Literature, so that verification and authencity of traditions of causes of revelation are mandatory for Tafsīr.