Struktur Al-Qur’an | Mir’atun Nisa, M.S.I.

Summary

The lecture explores the structure and integral nature of the Quran, highlighting two key concepts: Tartib Nuzuli (the chronological order of revelation) and Tartib Mushafi (the arrangement in the Mushaf Utsmani). It delves into the divine and scholarly elements that make up the Quran’s structure, including the unique textual features such as letter patterns and mathematical symmetries. Thematic unity is emphasized, with scholars arguing that the Quran’s diverse topics remain interconnected by central themes, creating a cohesive whole. The lecture concludes by affirming the Quran’s unique, divinely ordained structure and the scholarly contributions that have enhanced its organization.

Takeaways

• 😀 The lecture introduces the concept of Quranic structure, which encompasses both the physical arrangement of the Quran (tartib mushafi) and the chronological order of revelation (tartib nuzuli).
• 😀 The Quran consists of 114 surahs and 6236 verses, as counted according to the popular method in the Hanafi school.
• 😀 *Tartib nuzuli* refers to the chronological order of the revelation of Quranic verses, starting with the first five verses of Surah Al-Alaq.
• 😀 *Tartib mushafi* refers to the current order of surahs in the Quran as compiled in the Mushaf Utsmani, which is considered divinely determined and fixed.
• 😀 The structure of the Quran can be analyzed from two main perspectives: its textual (written) structure and its meaningful (thematic) structure.
• 😀 The textual structure of the Quran includes elements such as letters, words, and the arrangement of verses, which reveal unique patterns, like the number of occurrences of specific letters in certain surahs.
• 😀 An example of textual structure includes the repetition of the letter *Qaf* in Surah Qaf and the letter combinations *Ya Seen* and *Taha* in their respective surahs, which occur in a mathematically significant manner.
• 😀 The Quran’s thematic structure demonstrates the coherence and unity across various surahs, even when they address different topics or themes.
• 😀 Scholars like Amin Aksan Islahi argue that the Quran's thematic structure can be seen through the division of surahs into groups, with each group carrying a central, unifying theme.
• 😀 The Quran exhibits integral unity, meaning despite the variety of topics in different surahs, there is an underlying thematic connection that ties the Quran together as a single, cohesive message.

Q & A

What are the two key terms introduced in the script when discussing the structure of the Quran?

The two key terms are 'Tartib Nuzuli' and 'Tartib Mushafi'. Tartib Nuzuli refers to the chronological order of the Quranic revelations, while Tartib Mushafi refers to the order of the surahs as arranged in the Uthmanic Mushaf.

What does the term 'structure of the Quran' refer to in this context?

In this context, the structure of the Quran refers to the specific arrangement or organization of elements within the Quran, including both its textual form and its meaning, that together create a coherent whole.

How does the script define the term 'structure'?

The term 'structure' is defined as the way something is built or arranged, referring to the system or pattern of organization within an object or entity. In the case of the Quran, it refers to the arrangement of its elements to form a complete understanding.

What are the nine elements that make up the structure of the Quran as mentioned in the script?

The nine elements of the Quran's structure include both 'tauqifi' elements (divinely ordained) such as surahs, ayahs, words, and letters, and 'ijtihadi' elements (scholarly efforts) such as juz, page numbers, line counts, verse markers, and the writing style of ayah numbers.

What does the 'tauqifi' and 'ijtihadi' distinction refer to?

'Tauqifi' refers to elements of the Quran that were directly determined by divine revelation, such as the specific letters, words, surahs, and ayahs. 'Ijtihadi' refers to elements that were introduced through scholarly interpretation or effort, such as the division into juz, page numbers, or the numbering of verses.

Can you provide an example of a unique textual structure in the Quran?

One example is the repetition of certain letters at the beginning of several surahs. For instance, the letter 'Qaf' in Surah Qaf appears 57 times, which is a multiple of 19, highlighting a unique structural feature that ties into the significance of the number 19 in the Quran.

How does the Quran demonstrate its integrity and cohesion in its structure?

The Quran demonstrates its integrity through the interconnectedness of its themes across different surahs. Even though surahs may address different topics, there is a unifying theme or 'pillar' that ties them together. This coherence ensures that the Quran's message remains unified despite its diverse content.

What is meant by the 'principle of integral coherence' (integralitas) in the Quran?

The principle of integral coherence, or 'integralitas', refers to the interconnectedness and harmony between different parts of the Quran. It suggests that, although the Quran contains diverse topics across different surahs, there is a central theme that binds them together, ensuring a cohesive message.

How does the grouping of surahs into Makkiyah and Madaniyah surahs reflect the structural integrity of the Quran?

The grouping of surahs into Makkiyah (revealed in Mecca) and Madaniyah (revealed in Medina) serves to organize the Quran in a way that reflects both the historical and thematic development of its message. Each group of surahs has a central theme that links the surahs together, further reinforcing the Quran's structural integrity.

What is the significance of the number 19 in the structure of the Quran?

The number 19 holds significance in the Quran, especially when analyzing the number of occurrences of certain letters at the beginning of surahs. The total number of letters in the phrase 'Bismillahir Rahmanir Rahim' is 19, and other letters, such as 'Qaf', 'Ya', and 'Ha', also appear in multiples of 19, which demonstrates a deliberate numerical pattern within the Quran's structure.