7 Quranic Verses and Hadith on Nuzulul Quran, Complete with Translations
Nuzulul Quran refers to the event of the Quran’s descent. As explained in Ulumul Quran by Dr PM Gunawan Nst MPdI, the term nuzulul is derived from the Arabic word ‘nazala’, meaning to descend or to fall. The Quran refers to the holy scripture that was revealed to the Prophet Muhammad shallallahu ’alaihi wa sallam.
Thus, Nuzulul Quran can be understood as the event of the Quran’s descent. As detikers know, the first revelation occurred when the Prophet SAW secluded himself in the Cave of Hira. From that moment, the Quran was revealed piece by piece over 23 years.
According to the explanation from the website of the National Amil Zakat Agency (Baznas) in Surabaya, Nuzulul Quran in Indonesia refers to the tradition of the public on the night of 17 Ramadan. This tradition is linked to the revelation of the first wahi to the Prophet SAW in the Cave of Hira.
Nuzulul Quran is usually commemorated with study circles, recitation, completing the Quran, and communal prayers. Before the date arrives, learn the Qur’anic and Hadith evidences regarding Nuzulul Quran below!
Key Points:
Nuzulul Quran linguistically means ‘the descent of the Quran’. In Indonesia, Nuzulul Quran is commemorated on the 17th of Ramadan with the evidence from Surah Al-Anfal, verse 41.
There are many Qur’anic verses that recount Nuzulul Quran, including the descent of the Quran from Lauh al-Mahfuz to Baitul Izzah or revelation to the Prophet Muhammad. Among them are Surah Al-Baqarah verse 185, Ad-Dukhan verses 2-3, and Al-Qadr verse 1.
Regarding Nuzulul Quran, there are Hadiths narrated by Ahmad, Ath-Thabrani, and Al-Baihaqi. The Hadith mentions that the Quran descended on the night of 24 Ramadan.
Quranic Verses and Hadith About Nuzulul Quran
Gathered from NU Online and detikHikmah, here are some verses that explain Nuzulul Quran:
- Al-Baqarah verse 185
Verse 185 of Surah Al-Baqarah is proof beyond doubt that the Quran was revealed in the month of Ramadan. What is meant in this verse is the descent of the Quran from Lauh al-Mahfuz to Baitul Izzah, not to the Prophet Muhammad.
شَهْرُ رَمَضَانَ الَّذِيْٓ اُنْزِلَ فِيْهِ الْقُرْاٰنُ هُدًى لِّلنَّاسِ وَبَيِّنٰتٍ مِّنَ الْهُدٰى وَالْفُرْقَانِۚ فَمَنْ شَهِدَ مِنْكُمُ الشَّهْرَ فَلْيَصُمْهُ ۗوَمَنْ كَانَ مَرِيْضًا اَوْ عَلٰى سَفَرٍ فَعِدَّةٌ مِّنْ اَيَّامٍ اُخْرَ ۗيُرِيْدُ اللّٰهُ بِكُمُ الْيُسْرَ وَلَا يُرِيْدُ بِكُمُ الْعُسْرَ ۖوَلِتُكْمِلُوا الْعِدَّةَ وَلِتُكَبِّرُوا اللّٰهَ عَلٰى مَا هَدٰىكُمْ וَلَعَلَّكُمْ تَشْكُرُوْنَ
Artinya: “The month of Ramadan is the month in which the Quran was revealed as guidance for humanity and clear proofs of the guidance and the criterion (between right and wrong). So whoever among you is present during the month, shall fast it. And whoever is ill or on a journey, then (the same) number of other days. Allah intends for you ease; He does not intend for you hardship. And to complete the number and to glorify Allah for guiding you, that you may be grateful.”
- Ad-Dukhan Verses 2-3
وَالْكِتٰبِ الْمُبِيْنِۙ. اِنَّآ اَنْزَلْنٰهُ فِيْ لَيْلَةٍ مُّبٰرَكَةٍ اِنَّا كُنَّا مُنْذِرِيْنَ.
Artinya: “By the clear Book. Indeed, We began to reveal it on a blessed night (Lailatul Qadar). Indeed, We have been warnings.” (Note: Quran onlinely explains that this verse indicates the descent of the Quran from Lauh al-Mahfuz to the world’s heaven, marking the precise time of descent from the previous verse.)
- Al-Qadr Verse 1
اِنَّآ اَنْزَلْنٰهُ فِيْ لَيْلَةِ الْقَدْرِ
Artinya: “Indeed, We have sent it (the Quran) down on Lailatul Qadr.”
If Ad-Dukhan verses 2-3 form the basis that the Quran descended on Lailatul Qadar, then the first verse of Al-Qadr reinforces it. The wording plainly states that the Quran was revealed on a night better than a thousand months.
- Al-Anfal Verse 41
وَاعْلَمُوْٓا اَنَّمَا غَنِمْتُمْ مِّنْ شَيْءٍ فَاَنَّ لِلّٰهِ خُمُسَهٗ وَلِلرَّسُوْلِ وَلِذِى الْقُرْبٰى وَالْيَتٰمٰى وَالْمَسٰكِيْنِ وَابْنِ السَّبِيْلِ اِنْ كُنْتُمْ اٰمَنْتُمْ بِاللّٰهِ وَمَآ اَنْزَلْنَا عَلٰى عَبْدِنَا يَوْمَ الْفُرْقَانِ يَوْمَ الْتَقَى الْجَمْعٰنِۗ وَاللّٰهُ عَلٰى كُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدِيْرٌ
Artinya: “Know that whatever you seize as spoils of war, it is for Allah, the Messenger, the relatives, the orphans, the needy, and the traveller, if you believe in Allah and what We revealed to Our servant on the Day of the Criterion, the day when the two hosts met. Allah is Able to do all things.”
According to one opinion, the Day of the Criterion refers to the Battle of Badr. This battle, won by Islam, occurred on 17 Ramadan in the second year of Hijra. This interpretation is used by some scholars as the basis for the argument that the Quran first descended on 17 Ramadan. This date is the one observed in Nuzulul Quran traditions in Indonesia.
- Asy-Syu’ara Verse 192-195
وَاِنَّهٗ لَتَنْزِيْلُ رَبِّ الْعٰلَمِيْنَ ۗ. نَزَلَ بِهِ الرُّوْحُ الْاَمِيْنُ ۙ. عَلٰى قَلْبِكَ لِتَكُوْنَ مِنَ الْمُنْذِرِيْنَ ۙ. بِلِسَانٍ عَرَبِيٍّ مُّبِيْنٍ ۗ.
Artinya: “Indeed, it is (the Quran) truly descended from the Lord of all worlds. It was revealed by the Trustworthy Spirit (Jibril). Upon your heart, so you would be among the warners. In clear Arabic language.”
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