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Islamic researcher, graduated from Al-Azhar University, Islamic Studies in the English language. I also studied at Temple University in the US.
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In a Nutshell:
There are 25 five Madani surahs (Al-Baqarah, Aal Imran, al-Nisa'a, al-Ma'idah, al-Anfaal, al-Tawbah, al-Noor, al-Ahzab, Muhammad, al-Fath, al-Hujurat, al-Hadeed, al-Mujadilah, al-Hashr, al-Mumtahanah, al-Saff, al-Jumu'ah, al-Munafiqoon, al-Taghabun, al-Talaq, al-Tahreem, al-Mutafifeen, al-Qadr, al-Bayyinah and al-Nasr) and 89 Makki surahs (the rest of the surahs).


Background to the Meccan and Medinan Suras

Scholars define the Makki (Meccan) and Madani (Medinan) surahs with one of three definitions:

  • Makki is what had been revealed in Mecca and Madani is what was revealed in Medina;
  • Makki is what speaks about the people of Mecca and Madani is what speaks about the people of Medina;
  • Makki is what had been revealed before Hijrah (even if it was outside Mecca) and Madani is what was revealed after Hijrah (even if revealed in Mecca or outside Medina).

(Zarkashi, al-Burhan, Vol. 1, p. 187; Suyuti, al-Itqan, Vol. 1, p. 36; Zurqani, Manahil al-Irfan, Vol. 1, p. 193)

The latter definition is more accurate and soundly accepted by most of the classical scholars of Ulum al-Qur'an. (Ibid)

There is a very hot debate over the Makki and Madani surahs because they were not identified by the Prophet (saw), rather they are based on a large number of often contradicting (weak and sound) narrations as well as the ijtihad of scholars identifying them. They also disagree based on their definition of each term, as clarified above, as well as the elements and characteristics they suggest help identify which surah belongs to which category.

The later editor scholars (al-muhaqiqoon) could identify three main categories:

  • agreed upon Madani surahs (20 surahs),
  • agreed upon Makki surahs (82 surahs) and
  • disputed surahs (12 surahs).

In many of the surahs, there are one or more verses that belong to the other category, i.e., Meccan surahs may contain Medinan verses and vice versa; however the identification discussed here is for the overall and the main nature of the surah. They were organised in a poem by the six-century mufassir Abu al-Hasan al-Hassar and used and authorised by later scholars. (Suyuti, al-Itqan, Vol. 1, pp. 44-45)



Medinan Surahs

There are twenty surahs mostly agreed upon by scholars based on narrations of companions, tabi'een and later narrators. These twenty surahs are the following:

  • al-Baqarah,
  • Aal Imran,
  • al-Nisa'a,
  • al-Ma'idah,
  • al-Anfaal,
  • al-Tawbah,
  • al-Noor,
  • al-Ahzab,
  • Muhammad,
  • al-Fath,
  • al-Hujurat,
  • al-Hadeed,
  • al-Mujadilah,
  • al-Hashr,
  • al-Mumtahanah,
  • al-Jumu'ah,
  • al-Munafiqoon,
  • al-Talaq,
  • al-Tahreem and
  • al-Nasr. (Ibid, Zurqani, Manahil al-Irfan, Vol. 1, p. 198)



Disputed Surahs

Most scholars disagree on 12 surahs, I will here do my best, based mostly on the works done by the scholar ibn Ashur to evaluate these surahs identifying which surah could more likely belong to which category. But bear in mind, any surah could have one or more verses from the other category, but the rule here is for the overall nature.

Al-Fatihah:

It is more likely a Makki surah as it was a part of prayers that was initiated in the first year of ba'thah. This is the opinion of the majority of scholars, as ibn Ashur reported:

وَهَذِهِ السُّورَةُ مَكِّيَّةٌ بِاتِّفَاقِ الْجُمْهُورِ
"The majority (of scholars) agree this is a Makki surah." (Ibn Ashur, al-Tahreer wa al-Tanweer, Vol. 1, p. 136)

Al-Raad:

It is also more likely a Makki surah with some Madani verses (such as verse 43), because the overall structure of the surah is highly similar to the Makki surahs. It is also a Makki surah as reported in sound narrations on the authority of ibn Abbas, Mujahid, Abu Talahah, Qatadah, Sa'id ibn Jubayr and others. The reason behind their disagreement here is generally because of weak and fabricated narrations. (Ibid, Vol. 13, p. 76)

Al-Rahman:

It is also a Makki surah according to the opinion of the majority of companions and Tabi'een as well as the vast sound narrations documented its cause of revelation. Ibn Ashur noted:

وَالْأَصَحُّ أَنَّهَا مَكِّيَّةٌ كُلَّهَا ... وَهِيَ مِنْ أَوَّلِ السُّوَرِ نُزُولًا
"The more likely view is that is a totally Makki surah … and it is one of the first revelations (surahs)." (Al-Tahreer wa al-Tanweer, Vol. 27, pp. 227-228)

Al-Saff:

It is an overall Madani surah contains a number of Makki verses as supported by the structure of the surah and some other narrations, as also noted by ibn Attiyah and ibn Ashur:

وهي مدنية في قول الجمهور… ويشبه أن يكون فيها المكي والمدني
"It is a Madani surah according to the majority (of scholars) … it seems it contains the Makki and Madani (verses) as well." (Ibn Attiyah, al-Muharar al-Wajeez, Vol. 5. p. 301; Ibn Ashur, Vol. 28, p. 172)

Al-Taghabun:

It is a Madani surah according to the majority of mufassiroon, but its beginning (V. 1-13) is Makki according to ibn Attiyah and others. (Ibn Ashur, Vol. 28, p. 258; Ibn Attiyah, Vol. 5, p. 317)

Al-Mutafifeen:

There are three main views regarding this surah, either it was the last surah revealed in Mecca, or the first surah revealed in Medina or on the route to Medina. Ibn Attiyah argued the former and ibn Ashur argued the later. But it seems it was revealed in Medina as it contains the story of a trader who cheats the scale which is the main story in the surah after which it was named. (Ibn Ashur, Vol. 30, p. 187; Ibn Attiyah, Vol. 5, p. 449)

Al-Qadr:

One can't decide exactly where it was revealed, there are two narrations of ibn Abbas (ra) support both categories. Others, such as al-Waqidi, noted it was revealed in Medina after the legislation of fasting urging Muslims to pray the prayer in the day of al-Qadr. I personally find the latter argument and the context of the surah (that speaks to a believing community) could give weight to the Medinan notion. (Ibn Ashur, Vol. 30, p. 455, Ibn Attiyah, Vol. 5, p. 504)

Al-Bayyinah:

The majority of mufasiroon argue it is a Makki surah, but there is a sound narration mentions clearly the context after the revelation, as the Messenger (saw) was asked to recite it before ibn Ubbay who met the Messenger (saw) only in Medina:

لَمَّا نَزَلَتْ: لَمْ يَكُنِ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا مِنْ أَهْلِ الْكِتابِ إِلَى آخِرِهَا قَالَ جِبْرِيلُ: يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ إِنَّ اللَّهَ يَأْمُرُكَ أَنْ تُقْرِئَهَا أُبَيًّا
"When it was revealed, Gabriel said: O Messenger of Allah, Allah orders you to recite it to ibn Ubbay." (Ibn Ashur, Vol. 30, p. 467)

The context of the surah also shows it discusses some issues with the people of the book (Ahl al-Kitab) which is one of the characteristics of Madani surahs. (Ibid)

Al-Zalzalah:

The majority of the companions, such as ibn Abbas and ibn Mas'ood, and other tabi'een, such as Mujahid, Ataa and Dahaq, report it is a Makki surah. But Qatadah, Muqatil, ibn Attiyah argued it, or only the last verse, is a Madani surah based on a very weak narration. (Ibid)

Al-Ikhlas:

There are narrations report the Messenger (saw) was asked by either a group of Quraysh in Mecca or a group of rabbis in Medina to describe his God, so the surah was revealed.

But the majority of scholars argue it was revealed in Mecca because of the sound narrations report it was revealed in Mecca and the Meccan characteristics, as well as the Messenger (saw), has to have presented his God in the first 13 years.

Some scholars such as Suyuti argued it was revealed twice, but if it was revealed in Mecca it would be only used in the discussion in Medina i.e. a usage of the surah not a new revelation that the narrator thought it was the first time to be revealed. (Ibn Ashur, Vol. 30, p. 611; Ibn Attiyah, Vol. 5, p. 536)



Al-Mu'awizatayn (Al-Nas and Al-Falaq)

The surahs were used as purifying verses against any type of evil in the world. There are also two narrations. Some reports note it was revealed after the Prophet (saw) was harmed by a magician (Lubayd ibn al-A'sam) in Medina and some more reliable narrations of ibn Abbas (ra) report Quraysh wanted to harm the Prophet (saw) by evil eyes and the surahs were revealed to protect him.

The former narrations seem to apply more to the case as ibn Ashur suggested. (Ibid, Vol. 30, p. 624)

Thus, the Madani surahs from these disputed surahs are more likely:

  • al-Saff,
  • al-Taghabun,
  • al-Mutafifeen,
  • al-Qadr and
  • al-Bayyinah;

but the Makki surahs from them are

  • al-Fatihah,
  • al-Raad,
  • al-Rahman,
  • al-Zalzalah,
  • al-Ikhlas,
  • al-Falaq and
  • al-Naas.



Meccan Surahs

The Makki surahs are the rest 82 surahs in addition to the above Makki surah evaluated from the disputed ones resulting in 89 surahs.



Conclusion

There are about 25 five Madani surahs (Al-Baqarah, Aal Imran, al-Nisa'a, al-Ma'idah, al-Anfaal, al-Tawbah, al-Noor, al-Ahzab, Muhammad, al-Fath, al-Hujurat, al-Hadeed, al-Mujadilah, al-Hashr, al-Mumtahanah, al-Saff, al-Jumu'ah, al-Munafiqoon, al-Taghabun, al-Talaq, al-Tahreem, al-Mutafifeen, al-Qadr, al-Bayyinah and al-Nasr) and the rest of the surahs comprise 89 Makki surahs.

This is summarised in the table below:

Is there a list separating the Meccan and Medinan suras?

Misconceptions

  1. "Every surah falls cleanly into one category or the other": Some surahs contain verses revealed in both Mecca and Medina. Scholars may differ on the dominant classification in these instances.
  2. "The Meccan/Medinan distinction is purely chronological": While primarily a reflection of the Prophet's (pbuh) life stages, thematic differences also distinguish these periods.
  3. "Meccan surahs are entirely about spiritual concepts, Medinan only about law": There's overlap. Even in Mecca, foundations of Muslim practice were laid, while Medinan revelations contain powerful spiritual calls.
  4. "Knowing this split is essential to be a 'good' Muslim": This knowledge has scholarly value, adding richness to Quran study. However, basic devotional practice hinges on the Quran's universal messages.
  5. "There's only one universally accepted list": While broad categorization guides exist, minor disagreements about a handful of surahs are found amongst reputable scholars.
  6. "Disagreement means the whole concept is faulty": Scholarly debate shows nuance. These divisions were used as an organizational tool within limits of human understanding, not divinely revealed categories.
  7. "Knowing this division eliminates the need for deeper study": It's a starting point, not the end. Each surah, Meccan or Medinan, carries its own depth, connections to others, and lessons for application.



FAQs

  1. Why does this divide matter? Understanding the historical context in which revelation descended gives insight into the challenges and growth of the early Muslim community, providing relevance to modern application.
  2. Where can I find resources on Meccan/Medinan surahs? Many tafsir (commentary) works start each surah by introducing this aspect. Online articles from established Islamic institutions can also be useful.
  3. Should I read the Quran first in the Meccan, then Medinan order? While an interesting experiment, the traditional arrangement has value. Consider studying them in parallel, using chronology as an additional perspective.
  4. Are there major stylistic differences between the two periods? Meccan surahs often have a shorter, more poetic rhythm, strong warnings about disbelief, and a focus on establishing core creed. Medinan surahs tend to be longer and more detailed in laws and societal organization.
  5. Where do the terms 'Meccan' and 'Medinan' come from? They refer to the two distinct phases of the Prophet's (pbuh) mission. 'Meccan' denotes the era of hardship in Mecca before migration, 'Medinan' the stage of Islamic state establishment in Medina.
  6. Are disagreements about categorization a 'modern' problem? Some discussion existed even among early scholars, due to limitations in exact historical records and the reality of verses occasionally revealed outside their primary period.
  7. Why do some Islamic websites list different numbers of Meccan/Medinan surahs? This stems from those minor scholarly debates over where a handful of surahs with mixed components should primarily be placed.


References

  • Ibn Ashur, al-Tahreer wa al-Tanweer
  • Ibn Attiyah, al-Muharar al-Wajeez
  • Neal Robinson, Discovering the Qur'an - Contemporary Approach to a Veiled Text
  • Suyuti, al-Itqan fi Ulum al-Qur'an
  • Zarkashi, al-Burhan fi Ulum al-Qur'an
  • Zurqani, Manahil al-Irfan fi Ulum al-Qur'an


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