Verse 106 of Surah Al-Baqarah, as the sole verse in the Holy Qur'an explicitly addressing the subject of naskh (abrogation) of verses, holds an unparalleled position in exegetical, theological, and philosophical discussions. This verse, by elucidating the concept of naskh and its connection with Divine power and sovereignty, provides a profound framework for understanding the evolutions of rulings and Qur'anic verses. Much like a river that alters its course over time yet continuously flows towards a Divine destination, naskh in the Qur'an exemplifies the dynamism and wisdom of God in guiding humanity. This treatise, adopting a scientific and systematic approach, analyses this verse and the concepts associated with it, aiming to offer a comprehensive perspective suitable for erudite audiences and academic environments.
Verse 106 of Surah Al-Baqarah is situated amidst Qur'anic dialogues concerning the People of the Book and prior to the delineation of Islamic rulings. This placement serves as a bridge connecting the critique of the People of the Book's behaviours to the explication of the dynamism of Divine rulings. The verse, by introducing the topic of naskh, addresses the doubts of the People of the Book and lays the groundwork for comprehending juridical transformations. This structure manifests the Divine wisdom in the sequencing of the verses and the response to the intellectual and religious needs of the audience.
This verse is the only one in the Holy Qur'an that explicitly speaks of naskh. Like a beacon illuminating the darkness of doubts, it forms the pivot of exegetical discussions about the evolution of Qur'anic rulings. Naskh, as a pivotal concept, demonstrates the dynamism of Shariah and offers a framework for understanding Divine wisdom in the substitution of rulings.
The position of Verse 106 of Surah Al-Baqarah, as a turning point in the Qur'anic discourse with the People of the Book, and its importance as the sole explicit reference to naskh, have rendered it the focal point of exegetical and theological attention. This section sets the stage for a deeper analysis of the concept of naskh.
The word naskh, derived from the root n-s-kh, signifies copying, transferring, or transforming something into another form. This concept, analogous to an illuminator reproducing an original work, is employed in the Qur'an to denote the replacement of one verse or ruling with another. Related terms such as istinskh (copying) and tansukh also stem from this root; however, in the Qur'anic context, naskh means transformation and substitution, not annihilation.
Tansukh, which in some schools such as Hinduism is understood as the transmigration of the soul into another body, is rejected from philosophical and Qur'anic perspectives. This concept, occasionally invoked to deny resurrection and the hereafter, lacks scientific foundation. Much like a tree that remains inseparably connected to its roots, each soul is suited to its own body and cannot transfer to another. This viewpoint underscores the Divine wisdom in creation.
From a philosophical standpoint, every soul is uniquely created for its own body and cannot be compatible with another body. This compatibility resembles a key that opens only its specific lock. Hence, due to the incompatibility of soul and body, tansukh is invalid and affirms Divine wisdom in the order of creation.
The lexical and conceptual analysis of naskh reveals that the term in the Qur'an means transformation and replacement, not destruction. The critique of tansukh and emphasis on the compatibility of soul and body illuminate Divine wisdom in creation and legislation.
مَا نَنْسَخْ مِنْ آيَةٍ أَوْ نُنْسِهَا نَأْتِ بِخَيْرٍ مِنْهَا أَوْ مِثْلِهَا ۗ أَلَمْ تَعْلَمْ أَنَّ اللَّهَ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدِيرٌ أَلَمْ تَعْلَمْ أَنَّ اللَّهَ لَهُ مُلْكُ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ ۗ وَمَا لَكُمْ مِنْ دُونِ اللَّهِ مِنْ وَلِيٍّ وَلَا نَصِيرٍ
Translation: Whatever verse We abrogate or cause to be forgotten, We bring a better one or similar to it. Do you not know that Allah is over all things competent? Do you not know that to Allah belongs the dominion of the heavens and the earth, and that you have no protector or helper besides Allah?
Contrary to some exegeses that interpret naskh as the obliteration and destruction of a verse, naskh in the Holy Qur'an denotes transformation and substitution. This transformation, akin to the seasonal shifts in nature, occurs according to Divine wisdom and the exigencies of time. No verse in the Qur'an becomes obsolete or ineffective; rather, it is replaced by a better or similar verse.
Some early commentators, due to weakness in etymology and
