Question Summary:
What is the reason for the different number of Huroof and Aayaat in the Quran? Question Detail:
In different books of Uloomul – Qura’an, the Ulema have differed on the number of Aayaat and Huroof. What could be the reason for this difference in numbers?
Answer :
The scholars of Tafseer(exegesis) have unanimously concurred that the total number of verses in the Qura’an are not less than six thousand. However, they have differed in the number of Aayaat beyond six thousand.
Some say that the number of verses are: six thousand, two hundred and seventeen. This is the opinion of Imam Nafi (rahmatullahi alayh).
The Ulema of Makah opine that the number of verses are: six thousand, two hundred and twenty. This is the opinion of Mufassirrul-Ummah, Hadhrat Abdullah Bin Abbas (radhiyallahu Anhu).
The Ulema of Kufa opine that the number of verses are: six thousand, two hundred and thirty three.
Others have given different figures such as: 6234, 6214 and 6205.
(Manaahil-ul-Irfaan, 270/1, Daarul – Salaam, Al-Burhaan Fi Uloomil Qura’an, 491/1)
The reasons for these differences of opinion are multifold. Hereunder are some of the reasons for these differences:
1. Nabi (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) used to pause at the end of a certain verse to teach the Sahabah (radhiyallahu anhum) that it is the end of the verse.
When the Sahabah (radhiyallahu anhum) became aware of that, Nabi (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) began joining the preceding verse with the forthcoming verse desirous of the complete meaning.
Some Mufassireen regard the verse upon which Nabi (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) paused, to be one, therefore, they would join the preceding verse with the forthcoming verse considering both “verses” to be one single verse.
Others regarded the preceding verse to be completely independent from the forthcoming verse, hence, both the verses were not combined.
2. The Ulema of Kufa have regarded the opening/beginning portion of every chapter to be an independent verse. Whereas, the rest of the Ulema do not regard the beginning portion of every Surah(chapter) to be an independent verse. Hence, it will not be counted as a separate verse.
3. Some Ulema regard the Basmalah at the beginning of every chapter to be an independent verse. While others opine that it occurs only once in the Qura’an and that it occurs at the beginning of every Surah besides Surah Baraa’ah, as an indication to a new chapter and not an independent verse.
4. The Basmalah was revealed with the Surah in some of the seven dialects of recital. In certain dialects in which it was revealed in, it will be counted as an independent verse. In certain dialects, it won’t be counted as a separate verse since it was not revealed with every Surah in that specific dialect.
There are many differing opinions regarding the total number of Huroof(alphabets) in the Qura’an. The basis of this difference is the same as mentioned above.
All the above factors form the basis for the difference of opinion that exists among the Mufassireen regarding the number of Aayaat
(verses) and Huroof(alphabets).
And Allah knows best.
Ismail Desai,
Durban, South Africa
Student Darul Iftaa
Faculty of Speciality in Tafseer and Qura’anic Sciences (Takhassus Fil Tafseer)
Checked and Approved
Mufti Ebrahim Desai
daruliftaa.net
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