Abstract:

This study is an analysis of the first type in al-Suyūtī’s book of al-Itqan fi 'Ulūm al-Qur'an (in Ma‘rifah al-Makkī and al-Madanī [The knowledge of al-Makkī and al-Madanī]). The chapter in question includes the analysis of what is said on the division of verses in terms of time and place of revelation. Abū l-Qāsim al-Hassan bin Muhammad al- Nīsābūrī, divided them into twenty five types in his book at-Tanbīh 'alā Fadhli 'Ulum al-Qur'an [The virtues of the knowledge of the Quran]. He mentions that this knowledge is among the most honorable sciences of the Holy Qur’an, and a condition for approaching the interpretation. He supported this opinion in al-Itqān dealing with them under separate chapters, which is something that is critiqued by some scholars. While some scholars abstained, a group described it as exaggeration, and according to others it opens the doors of doubts. One of the most important of these doubts is the discourse on the historicity of Qur’an. Much of what was mentioned in al-Makkī and al-Madanī genres helped many orientalists and modernists in their denial of its validity for every time and place. This study is a discussion of the most important opinions on this subject and offers a resolution and responses to the critiques. It also proposes a method to approach al-Makkī and al-Madanī verses and contribute to end any doubts.

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