Definition, Subject, Benefit, and History of ‘Ulum al-Qur’an (Sciences of the Qur’an)
1- Definition of ‘Ulum al-Qur’an:
‘Ulum al-Qur’an refers to various topics related to the Qur’an, such as its revelation, order, compilation, and writing, its different readings, its clear and ambiguous verses, its abrogating and abrogated verses, its miraculous nature, its linguistic styles, and the refutation of doubts about it, among other subjects.
From this definition, it is clear that ‘Ulum al-Qur’an is an Arabic Islamic science in its origin and development. It began with the revelation of the Qur’an and continues to mature and evolve until the Day of Judgment.
2- Subject Matter:
The subject matter of ‘Ulum al-Qur’an is the Holy Qur’an itself, from any of the aspects mentioned in the definition.
3- Benefits:
It provides a profound general understanding of the Qur’an and equips one with valuable knowledge to better defend the sanctity of the Holy Book. It also facilitates engaging in the interpretation (tafsir) of the Qur’an. In this sense, it is similar to the sciences of hadith (mustalah) for those who wish to study the science of hadith.
4- History of ‘Ulum al-Qur’an:
A- The Era Before Compilation:
During this period, the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, and his Companions had knowledge of the Qur’an and its sciences similar to what scholars would later acquire. However, their knowledge was not documented or compiled into books because they did not need to do so. The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, was among them, receiving revelation and reciting it to them. He would explain its meanings and secrets through divine guidance. The Companions were native Arabs, known for their strong memory, appreciation of eloquence, and deep understanding of linguistic styles. They understood the sciences of the Qur’an in ways that we cannot today. Despite the widespread illiteracy and the primitive and limited means of writing at the time, they actively spread Islam and its teachings, including the Qur’an and its sciences, through oral transmission.
B- The Era of Preparation for Writing ‘Ulum al-Qur’an:
The compilation of the Qur’an into a single Mushaf during the caliphate of Uthman ibn Affan, may Allah be pleased with him, and the preparation of multiple copies to be sent to the Islamic regions—which will be discussed in detail in the third chapter of this book, Allah willing—laid the foundation for what is known as “The Science of Qur’anic Script.” During the caliphate of Ali, may Allah be pleased with him, the foundation was laid for what would become known as “The Science of Arabic Grammar” when he instructed Abu al-Aswad al-Du’ali to establish certain rules to protect the language of the Qur’an from foreign influence and the spread of grammatical errors.
During the Umayyad period, several Companions and their followers contributed to laying the foundations of what would become known as “The Science of Tafsir (Exegesis),” “The Science of Asbab al-Nuzul (Reasons for Revelation),” “The Science of Abrogating and Abrogated Verses,” and “The Science of Gharib al-Qur’an (The Strange Words of the Qur’an).”
C- The Era of Compilation:
During this period, books were written on various types of Qur’anic sciences, with the initial focus on tafsir, considering it the mother of all Qur’anic sciences. Some of the early scholars who wrote in tafsir include Shu’bah ibn al-Hajjaj, Sufyan ibn ‘Uyaynah, and Waki’ ibn al-Jarrah. Their works compiled the sayings of the Companions and their followers. They were followed by Al-Tabari, who died in 310 AH. In other Qur’anic sciences, ‘Ali ibn al-Madini—who was the teacher of Al-Bukhari—died in 234 AH and wrote a book on “Reasons for Revelation.” Abu ‘Ubayd al-Qasim ibn Sallam, who died in 224 AH, wrote on “Abrogating and Abrogated Verses,” both of whom were scholars of the third century.
Abu Bakr al-Sijistani, who died in 330 AH, wrote on “Gharib al-Qur’an” (strange words of the Qur’an) in the fourth century, and ‘Ali ibn Sa’id al-Hufi wrote on the “Grammar of the Qur’an” in the fifth century. In this fifth century, the term “Ulum al-Qur’an” (Sciences of the Qur’an) appeared, and the first to write on it was ‘Ali ibn Sa’id al-Hufi, who died in 430 AH. His book, “Al-Burhan fi ‘Ulum al-Qur’an,” consists of thirty volumes, of which fifteen volumes are currently preserved in the Egyptian National Library.
In the sixth century, Ibn al-Jawzi, who died in 597 AH, authored two books: “Funun al-Afnaan fi ‘Ulum al-Qur’an” and “Al-Mujtaba fi ‘Ulum tata’allaq bil-Qur’an.”
In the seventh century, ‘Alam al-Din al-Sakhawi, who died in 641 AH, wrote a book called “Jamal al-Qurra’,” and Abu Shama, who died in 665 AH, wrote a book called “Al-Murshid al-Wajiz fi ma yata’allaq bil-Qur’an al-‘Aziz.”
In the eighth century, Badr al-Din al-Zarkashi, who died in 794 AH, wrote a comprehensive book called “Al-Burhan fi ‘Ulum al-Qur’an,” and Taqi al-Din Ahmad ibn Taymiyyah al-Harrani, who died in 728 AH, wrote a treatise on the principles of tafsir, which includes some topics of Qur’anic sciences.
In the ninth century, Muhammad ibn Sulayman al-Kafiji, who died in 873 AH, wrote a book on Qur’anic sciences, and Jalal al-Din al-Balqini, who died in 824 AH, wrote his book “Mawaqi’ al-‘Ulum min Mawaqi’ al-Nujum.”
In the tenth century, Jalal al-Din al-Suyuti, who died in 911 AH, authored his famous book, “Al-Itqan fi ‘Ulum al-Qur’an,” which is one of the most comprehensive works on the subject, as he benefited from the works of previous scholars and added to them.
In the modern era, the Arabic library has been enriched with numerous works on Qur’anic topics and specifically on Qur’anic sciences. Some examples, though not exhaustive, include:
- “Al-Tibyan fi ‘Ulum al-Qur’an” by Shaykh Tahir al-Jaza’iri.
- “Manhaj al-Furqan fi ‘Ulum al-Qur’an” by Shaykh Muhammad ‘Ali Salama.
- “Manahil al-‘Irfan fi ‘Ulum al-Qur’an” by Shaykh Muhammad ‘Abd al-‘Azim al-Zurqani.
- “Mabahith fi ‘Ulum al-Qur’an” by Dr. Subhi al-Salih.
- “Min Rawai’ al-Qur’an” by Dr. Muhammad Sa’id Ramadan al-Buti.
- “Mabahith fi ‘Ulum al-Qur’an” by Ustadh Manna’ al-Qattan.
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