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ʿILM AL-MUNĀSABAH AND NAẒM AL-QURʾĀN: AN INTRODUCTORY REVIEW

Abstract

The Qur'an, the final divine revelation, was revealed over approximately twenty-three years in a fragmented manner, dictated by circumstances and events. However, the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), under divine guidance, arranged it in a non-chronological order, which was later compiled into a codex by his companions. This arrangement, distinct from conventional books, follows a miraculous structure. Scholars have long debated whether the Qur'an is a collection of scattered rulings and speeches or a coherent, systematically organized book. Prominent scholars from the Arab world, such as Muhammad Abduh, Rashid Rida, and Amin al-Khuli, and from the Indian subcontinent, such as Hamiduddin Farahi and Amin Ahsan Islahi, argue that the Qur'an is a well-structured text where every verse and chapter is interconnected, forming an organized whole. Conversely, scholars like Imam Shawkani and Syed Abul A'la Maududi have challenged this notion.

This paper explores the definition, evolution, and interpretative significance of Naẓm al-Qurʾān within Qur’anic sciences and exegesis. It highlights key considerations in the study of Qur'anic coherence, emphasizing that while ʿIlm al-Munāsabah (the science of coherence) offers interpretative insights, it should not be imposed rigidly as a fundamental principle. The study cautions against forced interpretations and sectarian biases that may arise from overemphasizing textual coherence. Furthermore, it argues that exegeses should be evaluated on rigorous hadith principles rather than their alignment with perceived coherence. Finally, it underscores that any identified structure in the Qur'an remains a human intellectual endeavor and should not be equated with the divine text itself.