1. Historical and Cultural Context of the Qur’an
Lecture 3
Historical and Cultural Context of the Qur’an

2. Key Issues Introduction
Context of Pre-Islamic and Early Islamic Arabia
Environmental context
Socio-cultural context
Linguistic context
Moral context
Religious context
Intellectual context
Prophet Muhammad’s life
Occasions of revelation (asbab al-nuzul)
Western historical critical scholarship and contextualising the Qur’an
Case Study: The Qur’an and the Pact of Umar on Muslim/non-Muslim relations

3. Text
4:34 “Men are the protectors and maintainers of women, because God has given the one more (strength) than the other, and because they support them from their means. Therefore the righteous women are devoutly obedient, and guard in (the husband’s) absence what God would have them guard. As to those women on whose part ye fear disloyalty and ill-conduct, admonish them (first), (Next), refuse to share their beds, (And last) beat them (lightly); but if they return to obedience, seek not against them Means (of annoyance): For God is Most High, great (above you all). (Abdullah Yusof Ali)

4. Introduction
The revelation of the Qur’an happened within the broad social, intellectual and religious context of Arabia in the 7th century
Understanding this context will help us to make connections between the Qur’anic text and the environment in which the text emerged
Major events in the Prophet’s life are mentioned in the Qur’an
The science of asbab al-nuzul or ‘occasions of the revelation’ helped identify the historical context of Qur’anic passages
Classification into Meccan and Medinan passages
Examples

6. The Context of Pre-Islamic and Early Islamic Arabia
Environmental context
Harsh desert climate
Bedouin nomads and town dwellers
Trial values/code of conduct predominant
Tribal raids common
Yearly pilgrimage to Mecca

7. The Context of Pre-Islamic and Early Islamic Arabia
Socio-cultural context
Two regional powers: Byzantine Empire and Sassanid Empire
Mecca – made up of clans of the larger tribe of Quraysh
Governed by tribal elders via consultation
Tribe or clam provided protection for the individual
Distinctions based on gender common
Many existing socio-cultural practices incorporated into the Qur’an (or slightly modified)

8. The Context of Pre-Islamic and Early Islamic Arabia
Linguistic context
Revelation conveyed in Arabic
Incorporation of cultural symbols, metaphors and expressions into the language of the Qur’an
Moral context
Common cultural values accepted as part of the new religion: i.e. patience in the face of adversity
Cultural values looked down upon condemned by the Qur’an: breach of trust, hypocrisy, slander, usury, cheating and gambling etc.

9. The Context of Pre-Islamic and Early Islamic Arabia
Religious context
Islam comes into a religious environment:
Pagan idolatry
Judaism
Christianity
Intellectual context
Survival skills predominant
Low levels of literacy

10. Qur’an in context: Prophet Muhammad’s life

12. Prophet Muhammad’s life
Receiving of the revelation (610 CE)
Meditating in a cave near Mecca
First revelation
Recite: In the name of thy Lord who created, created Manan from a blood-clot. Recite: for thy Lord is Most Generous, who taught by the pen, taught Man what he knew not. (Q 96:1–5)
First converts from amongst family and friends, some Meccans
Growing opposition and persecution from Qurayshi leaders

13. Prophet Muhammad’s life
Migration to Medina in 622 CE
Establishment of the first Muslim community
Many converts, some opposition: munafiqun (hypocrites)
Tensions with Jewish tribes
Prophet Muhammad becomes the spiritual and political leader of the community
Introduces key religious and social reforms

14. Prophet Muhammad’s life
Ongoing struggle against the Meccan Quraysh
Skirmishes and conflict
Major victory: Battle of Badr
Mecca taken by Muslims 630 CE
Prophet Muhammad’s death: 632 CE

15. Discussion
Why do we need to understand Prophet Muhammad’s life to understand the Qur’an?

16. Occasions of revelation (asbab al-nuzul)
What it is
How is it used in the tradition?
How useful it is for a contextual interpretation of the Qur’an?

17. Western historical critical scholarship and contextualising the Qur’an
Sira literature: traditions about the Quran’s historical context
Generally accepted by Western scholars until recently
New school of historical critical analysis cast doubt on earlier works and framework provided by the sira literature
Fabricated?

19. Case Study: The Qur’an and the ‘Pact of Umar’ on Muslim and non-Muslim relations
Umar ibn Al-Khattab (d. 644 CE)
Senior Companion
Close advisor to the Prophet
2nd caliph
Direct knowledge of both the Qur’an and the person/practice of Prophet Muhammad – intimately familiar with Qur’anic context
Evidence Umar departed from some clear Qur’anic injunctions on several occasions – contextualising them

20. Case Study: The Qur’an and the ‘Pact of Umar’ on Muslim and non-Muslim relations
What it is
Outlines the obligations of non-Muslims living in dar al-islam
Defines the relationship of ahl al-dhimma (protected people) with Muslims and the Islamic state
Allowed freedom of religion/ worship in return for jizya
Debate about the pact’s origins

21. LINKS
Pact of Umar
Treaty with Najran
Constitution of Madina
Jizyah verse 9:29
Jalalyn, Asad, Ali, A Muslim’s view