Observation

This question stands out to be one of the popular questions over the years. The revelation of the Qur’ān never occurred on a single day or time. Most of the candidates that answered this question performed fairly. The question demanded from the candidates to explain how the 114 chapters of the Qur’ān were revealed in piecemeal to the Prophet (S.A.W.) within the period of 23 years of its revelation, thus:

The revelation of the Qur’ān started when the Prophet (S.A.W.) was 40 years old. (Introduction)

i. The 114 chapters of the Qur’ān were revealed in bits.

ii. The order of the revelation did not follow chronological form.

iii. Its form of arrangement both in chapters and verses were divinely revealed to the Prophet (S.A.W.).

iv. The Prophet (S.A.W.) instructed his companions to put the revelations as revealed to where it should be.

v. Thus the first revelation is not the first chapter but chapter 96 of the Qur’ān.

vi. Most of the early chapters were revealed in Makkah.

vii. The later parts of the revelation came in Madinah when the tension of persecutions had been overcome.

viii. Many chapters were not revealed complete on a single occasion.

ix. The revelations were given in piecemeal over a period of 23 years.

x. Makkan Suwar are 93 while Madinan are 21.

xi. The piecemeal revelation of the Qur’ān began in the month of Ramaḍān.