MEANING OF ALIF LAAM MEEM

Most Common Questions asked by Non-Muslims 
who have some knowledge of Islam

Q5. Meaning of Alif Laam Meem

Question:

Why do certain Surahs in the Qur’an begin with Alif Laam Meem, ‘Haa Meem, Yaa Seen and what is the significance of such terms or phrases?

MEANING OF ALIF LAAM MEEM

Answer:

1. Abbreviated Letters Alif Laam Meem, Yaseen,Ha-meem, etc. are known as Al-Muqattaat  i.e. the abbreviated letters. There are 29 letters in the Arabic Alphabet (if hamza and alif are considered as two letters) and there are 29 surahs i.e. chapters in the Glorious Qur’an that have the abbreviated letters prefixed to them. These abbreviated letters sometimes occur alone, sometimes in a combination of two letters and sometimes in a combination of three, four or five letters.

a. Three surahs are pre-fixed with only one letter:

i. Surah Saad chapter 38 with Saad

ii. Surah Qaaf chapter 50 with Qaaf

iii. Surah Noon or Qalam chapter 68 with Noon

b. The combination of two letters occurs in 10 surahs:

Three of them occur only once each:

i. Surah Ta Ha chapter 20 has Ta Ha

ii. Surah Al Naml starting with chapter 27 has Ta Seen

iii. Surah Ya Seen  chapter 36 has Ya Seen

Ha Meem occurs in seven consecutive Surahs from Surah 40 to Surah 46:

i. Surah Ghafir or Al-Mu'min chapter 40

ii. Surah Fussilat or Ha Meem chapter 41

iii. Surah Al Shura chapter 42

iv. Surah Al Zukhruf chapter 43

v. Surah Al Dukhan chapter 44

vi. Surah Al Jathiyah chapter 45

vii. Surah Al Ahqaf chapter 46

c. There are three combinations of three letters each occurring in 13 surahs.

Alif Laam Meem occurs in six surahs

i. Surah Al Baqarah chapter 2

ii. Surah Ali 'Imran chapter 3

iii. Surah Al 'Ankabut chapter 29

iv. Surah Al Rum chapter 30

v. Surah Luqman chapter 31

vi. Surah Al Sajdah chapter 32

Alif Laam Ra occurs in five surahs:

i. Surah Yunus chapter 10

ii. Surah Hud chapter 11

iii. Surah Yusuf chapter 12

iv. Surah Ibrahim chapter 14

v. Surah Al Hijr chapter 15

Ta Seen Meem occurs in two Surahs:

i. Surah Al-Shu'ara chapter 26

ii. Surah Al-Qasas chapter 28

d. Combination of four letters occurs twice:

i. Surah Aaraf chapter 7:Alif Laam Meem Sad

ii. Surah Al Rad chapter 13:Alif Laam Meem Ra

e. Combination of five letters occurs twice:

i. Surah Maryam chapter 19 begins with Kaf Ha Ya Ayn Sad

ii. Surah Al-Shura chapter 42 begins with Ha Meem  Ayn Seen Qaf        

Surah Al-Shura chapter 42 has a double combination of abbreviated letters one set of two letters followed by one set of three letters.

2. Meanings of these abbreviated letters

The meaning and purpose of these letters is uncertain. There have been a variety of explanations offered by Muslim scholars through the ages. A few among them are:

i. These letters might be abbreviations for certain sentences and words for     instance, Alif Laam Meem means Ana-Alahu -a'Laam or Nun meaning Noor (light), etc.

ii. These letters are not abbreviations but symbols and names of Allah or something else.

iii. These letters were used for rhyming.

iv. These letters have some numerical significance as the semitic letters also have numerical values.

v. These letters were used to attract the attention of the Prophet (and later his audience). Several volumes have been written on the significance of these abbreviations.

3. Best explanation of abbreviated letters:

Of all the explanations given by various scholars, the one which is authentic and also supported by Tafsir of Ibne-Kathir, Zamakshari and Ibne-Taiymiyah is the following:

The human body is composed of various fundamental elements that are found in nature. Clay and dust are composed of the same fundamental elements. Yet it would be absurd to say that a human being is exactly the same as the dust.

We can all have access to the elements that are found in the human body, and add a few gallons of water, which is the constitution of the human body. We know the elements in the human body and yet we are at a loss when asked the secret of life.

Similarly the Qur'an addresses those people who reject its Divine authority. It tells them that this Qur'an, is in your own language, and over which the Arabs took pride. It is composed of the same letters that the Arabs used to express themselves most eloquently.

The Arabs were very proud of their language and Arabic was at its peak when the Qur'an was revealed. With the letters Alif Laam Meem, Yaa Seen, Ha-Meem, etc., (in English we would say A, B, C, D) the Qur’an challenges mankind to produce a Surah at least somewhat similar to the Qur’an in beauty and elegance, if they doubt its authenticity.

Initially, the Qur'an challenges all the men and jinn to produce a recital like the Qur'an and adds that they would not be able to do it even if they backed each other. This challenge is mentioned in Surah Isra chapter 17 verse 88 and in Surah Tur chapter 52 verse 34.

Later the Qur'an repeats the challenge in Surah Hud chapter 11 verse 13 by saying produce ten surahs like it and later in Surah Yunus chapter 10 verse 38 produce one surah like it and finally the easiest challenge is given in Surah Al-Baqarah chapter 2 verses 23 and 24.

"And if ye are in doubt as to what We have revealed from time to time to Our servant, then produce a Surah like thereunto; and call your witnesses or helpers (if there are any) besides Allah if your doubts are true.

But if ye cannot - and of a surety ye cannot - then fear the fire whose fuel is men and stones - which is prepared for those who reject faith."

 [Al-Qur'an 2:23-24]

To compare the skill of two artisans, they must be given samples of the same raw material and their performance evaluated in performing the same task. If they are tailors they must be provided with the same fabrics. The raw materials of the Arabic language are these letters Alif Laam Meem, Ya Seen (in English it is A, B, C, D, etc.) The miraculous nature of the language of the Qur'an does not lie only in the fact that it is the Word of Allah, but also in the fact that although made up of the same letters in which the pagan Arabs took pride, it has not been rivalled.

The Arabs are noted for their rhetoric ability, eloquence and meaningful expression. Just as the constituents of the human body are known to us and can be obtained by us, the letters comprising the Qur'an, such as Alif Laam Meem are known to us, and used frequently to formulate words. Life cannot be created by us, even if we possess knowledge of the constituents of the human body. Similarly we cannot capture the same eloquence and beauty of expression that we find in the Qur'an, despite knowing the letters that constitute the Qu'ran. The Qur'an thus proves its Divine origin.

4. Miraculous quality of Qur’an mentioned immediately after these broken letters

Therefore immediately after these broken letters are mentioned in the Qur’an, the following verses speak about the miracle of the Qur’an, and its authority

e.g. in Surah Baqarah Chapter 2 verse 1-2:

“Alif Laam Meem. 
 This is the Book; in it is guidance sure, without doubt, to those who fear Allah.”

[Al-Qur’an 2:1-2]

Source: DZN

THE THEORY OF ABROGATION

Most Common Questions asked by Non-Muslims 
who have some knowledge of Islam

Q4. The theory of abrogation

Question:

Muslims believe in the theory of abrogation, i.e. they believe that certain earlier verses of the Qur’an were abrogated by verses revealed later. Does this imply that God made a mistake and later on corrected it?

THE THEORY OF ABROGATION

Answer:

1. Two different interpretations

The Glorious Qur’an says in the following verse: 
“None of our revelations do we abrogate or cause to be forgotten, but we substitute something better or similar: knowest thou not that Allah hath power over all things?”

 [Al-Qur’an 2:106]

A reference to this is also made in Surah 16 verse 101 of Surah Nahl. The Arabic word mentioned is ‘Ayat’ which means ‘Signs’ and which can also mean ‘revelation’. This verse of the Qur’an can be interpreted in two different ways:

a. The revelations that are abrogated are those revelations that were revealed before the Qur’an, for example the Torah, the Zaboor and the Injeel. Here Allah (SWT) says that He does not cause the previous revelations to be forgotten but He substitutes them with something better or similar, indicating that the Torah, the Zaboor and the Injeel were substituted by the Qur’an.

b. If we consider that the Arabic word ‘ayat’ in the above verse refers to the verses of the Qur’an, and not previous revelations, then it indicates that none of the verses of the Qur’an are abrogated by Allah but substituted with something better or similar. This means that certain verses of the Qur’an that were revealed earlier were substituted by verses that were revealed later. I agree with both the interpretations.

Many Muslims and non-Muslims misunderstand the second interpretation to mean that some of the earlier verses of the Qur’an were abrogated and no longer hold true for us today, as they have been replaced by the later verses of the Qur’an or the abrogating verses. This group of people even wrongly believes that these verses contradict each other.

 Let us analyze a few such examples.

2. Produce a Recital like the Qur’an / 10 Surahs / 1 Surah:

Some pagan Arabs alleged that the Qur’an was forged by Prophet Muhummad

(pbuh). Allah (SWT) challenged these Arabs in the following verse of Surah Al-Isra:

“Say: if the whole of Mankind and Jinns were together to produce the like of this Qur’an they could not produce the like thereof, even if they backed up each other with help and support.”

 [Al-Qur’an 17:88]

Later the challenge was made easy in the following verse of Surah Al-Hud: 
“Or they may say, ‘He forged it.’ Say, ‘Bring ye then ten Surahs forged, like unto it, and call (to your aid) whom so ever ye can, other than Allah, if ye speak the truth!’.”

 [Al-Qur’an 11:13]

It was made easier in the following verse of Surah Yunus: 
“Or do they say, ‘He forged it’? Say: ‘Bring then a Surah like unto it, and call (to your aid) anyone you can, besides Allah, if it be that ye speak the truth!’ ”

 [Al-Qur’an 10:38]

Finally in Surah Al-Baqarah, Allah (SWT) further diluted the challenge: 
And if ye are in doubt as to what We have revealed from time to time to Our servant, then produce a Surah like there unto; and call your witnesses or helpers (if there are any) besides Allah if your (doubts) are true.

But if ye cannot–and of a surely ye cannot–then fear the Fire whose fuel is Men and Stones–which is prepared for those who reject faith”.

 [Al-Qur’an 2:23-24]

Thus Allah (swt) made the challenges progressively easier. The progressively

revealed verses of the Qur’an first challenged the pagans to produce a book like the Qur’an, then challenged them to produce ten Surahs (chapters) like those in the Qur’an, then one Surah and finally it challenges them to produce one Surah somewhat similar (mim mislihi) to the Qur’anic Surahs. This does not mean that the later verses that were revealed i.e. of Surah Baqarah chapter 2 verses 23 and 24 contradict the earlier three verses. Contradiction implies mentioning two things that cannot be possible simultaneously, or cannot take place simultaneously.

The earlier verses of the Qur’an i.e. the abrogated verses are still the word of God and the information contained in it is true to this day. For instance the challenge to produce a recital like the Qur’an stands to this day. Similarly the challenge to produce ten Surahs and one Surah exactly like the Qur’an also holds true and the last challenge of producing one surah somewhat similar to the Qur’an also holds true. It does not contradict the earlier challenges, but this is the easiest of all the challenges posed by the Qur’an. If the last challenge cannot be fulfilled, the question of anyone fulfilling the other three more difficult challenges does not arise.

Suppose I say about a person that he is so dumb, that he would not be able to pass the 10th standard in school. Later I say that he would not be able to pass the 5th standard, and further say that he would not be able to pass even the 1st standard. Finally I say that he is so dull that he would not even be able to pass K.G. i.e. kindergarten. One has to pass kindergarten before one can be admitted to school. What I am stating is that the person is so dull as to be unable to pass even kindergarten. My four statements do not contradict each other, but my last statement i.e. the person would not be able to pass the kindergarten is sufficient to indicate the intelligence of that person. If a person cannot even pass kinder garten, the question of him passing the first standard or 5th or 10th, does not arise.

3. Gradual prohibition of intoxicants

Another example of such verses is that related to gradual prohibition of intoxicants. The first revelation of the Qur’an to deal with intoxicants was the following verse from Surah Baqarah:

“They ask thee concerning wine and gambling say: ‘in them is great sin,and some profit, for men; but the sin is greater than the profit’.”

 [Al-Qur’an 2:219]

The next verse to be revealed regarding intoxicants is the following verse from Surah Nisa:

“O ye who believe approach not prayer with a mind befogged, until ye can understand all that ye say.”

[Al-Qur’an 4:43]

The last verse to be revealed regarding intoxicants was the following verse from Surah Al-Maidah:

“O ye who believe! Intoxicants and gambling, (Dedication of) stones, And (divination by) arrows, are an abomination of Satan’s handiwork; Eschew such (abomination), that ye may prosper.”

 [Al-Qur’an 5:90]

The Qur’an was revealed over a period of 23 years. Many reforms that were brought about in the society were gradual. This was to facilitate the adoption of new laws by the people. An abrupt change in society always leads to rebellion and anarchy. 

The prohibition of intoxicants was revealed in three stages. The first revelation only mentioned that in the intoxicants there is great sin and some profit but the sin is greater than the profit. The next revelation prohibited praying in an intoxicated state, indicating that one should not consume intoxicants during the day, since a Muslim has to pray five times a day. This verse does state that when one is not praying at night one is allowed to consume intoxicants. It means one may have or one may not have. The Qur’an does not comment on it. If this verse had mentioned that one is allowed to have intoxicants while not praying then there would have been a contradiction. Allah (SWT) chose words appropriately. Finally the total prohibition of intoxicants at any time was revealed in ayah 90 of Surah Maidah (Surah 5).

This clearly indicates that the three verses do not contradict each other. Had they been contradicting, it would not have been possible to follow all the three verses simultaneously. Since a Muslim is expected to follow each and every verse of the Qur’an, only by following the last verse i.e. of Surah Maidah (5:90), he simultaneously agrees and follows the previous two verses.

Suppose I say that I do not live in Los Angeles. Later I say that I do not live in California. Finally I say, I do not live in the United States of America. This does not imply that these three statements contradict each other. Each statement gives more information than the previous statement. The third statement includes the information contained in the first two statements. Thus, only by saying that I do not live in the United States of America, it is obvious, that I also do not live in California nor New York. Similarly since consuming alcohol is totally prohibited, it is obvious that praying in an intoxicated state is also prohibited and the information that in intoxicants is "great sin and some profit for men; but the sin is greater than profit" also holds true.

4. Qur'an does not contain any contradictions

The theory of abrogation does not imply that there is a contradiction in the Qur'an, since it is possible to follow all the ayah of the Qur'an at the same time. If there is a contradiction in the Qur'an, then it cannot be the word of Allah (swt).

"Do they not consider the Qur'an (with care)? Had it been from other than Allah, they would surely have found therein much discrepancy (contradictions)."

 [Al-Qur'an 4:82]

Source: DZN