The Concept of Nskh in the Quran

The Concept of Nskh in the Quran I t is a common belief that certain verses of the Quran are abrogated, and although they can be found in the present version of the Quran, they are not in any practical sense applicable to our lives. This perception is based on the following verse of the Quran: If We abrogate a verse or cause it to be forgotten, We will replace it by a better one or one similar to it. Do you not know that God has power over all things? (2:106) But this interpretation is not correct. In fact, the word nskh does not have the sense of eternal abrogation; it is used in the sense of temporary suspension. In principle it is applicable in every age, but its applicability depends upon the situation. If the situation allows it, the message of these verses will be applicable, but if the situation does not allow it, then the message of these verses will remain suspended. At present, the Quran would appear to be a complete book in bound form but this kind of binding dates from a later period. The fact is that the Quran was revealed in a piecemeal fashion in accordance with the situation. This revelation continued for all of the twenty-three years of the Prophet’s life. (It was only in the final days of the Prophet’s life that the Quran was compiled in its present form). Irrespective of the fact that the applicability of Quranic injunctions may be contingent upon a number of factors relevant to different periods and situations, the injunctions, in essence, remain eternal in nature.