The Narrations Concerning the Cause of Revelation of the Last Verse of Surah Muhammad: A Study and Verification

Abstract

Objectives: The study aims to gather and verify the narrations concerning the cause of revelation of the last verse of Surah Muhammad, assessing whether they truly explain its revelation and determining their authenticity.

Methods: The researchers employed an inductive method to collect the narrations related to the cause of revelation, evaluate and authenticate them, and examine whether they serve as the actual reason for the verse’s revelation or if they are merely interpretative narrations. They also applied an analytical approach to assess how these narrations align with the context of the verse and guide the interpretation of the text.

Results: The substitution mentioned in the verse did not actually occur. This method is used in other parts of the Quran, often in hypothetical scenarios or as a form of threat. The narration should be understood as highlighting the virtues of Salman al-Farsi and his people. Additionally, the focus of the narration is on al-‘Ala’ ibn ‘Abd al-Rahman, and most of his narrators are debated in terms of reliability, with differences in their authentication. Therefore, the narration for this hadith is not authentic, and it should not be considered as the cause for the revelation of the verse as some interpreters suggested; rather, it is an interpretative narration.