Misconception

The messenger received a separate revelation known as "Az-Zikr" which was outside the Qur’an. The purpose of this hidden revelation was to enable the messenger to give additional details and explanations of the Qur’an. This is what is stated in Surah Al-Nahl 16 and verse number 44

Clarification

<Wa ma_ arsalna_ min qablika illa_ riju_lan nu_hi ilaihim fas'alu_ ahlaz zikri in kuntum la_ ta'lamu_n(a),Bil bayyina_ti waz zubur(i), wa anzalna_ ilaikaz zikra litubayyina lin na_si ma_ nuzzila ilaihim wa la'allahum yatafakkaru_n>

"And We did not send before you any but men to whom We sent revelation-- so ask the followers of the Reminder if you do not know-- With clear arguments and scriptures; and We have revealed to you the Reminder <Az-Zikr> that you may make clear to men what has been revealed to them, and that haply they may reflect." (16:43-44 M.H.Shakir’s translation)

In the above verse, it is stated that Allah has sent down "Az-Zikr" on the messenger, let us see as to how the Qur’an identifies "Az-Zikr". The following verses inform us what comprises "Az-Zikr" translated as "The Reminder":

"This We recite to you of the communications and the wise reminder. <zikril hakim>"(3:58)

"A Book revealed to you-- so let there be no straitness in your breast on account of it-- that you may warn thereby, and a reminder close to the believers. <zikra_ lil mu'minin>" (7:2)

"And you do not ask them for a reward for this; it is nothing but a reminder for all mankind. <zikrul lil 'a_lamin>" (12:104)

"And they say: O you to whom the Reminder <Zikr> has been revealed! you are most surely insane:Why do you not bring to us the angels if you are of the truthful ones? We do not send the angels but with truth, and then they would not be respited. Surely We have revealed the Reminder <Zikr> and We will most surely be its guardian." (15:6-9)

"And this is a blessed Reminder <Zikrun mubarakun> which We have revealed; will you then deny it?" (21:50)

"And We have not taught him poetry, nor is it meet for him; it is nothing but a reminder and a plain Quran.<Zikrun wa Qur’an un mubeen>" (39:69)

"Surely those who disbelieve in the reminder <kaffaru biz Zikre> when it comes to them, and most surely it is a Mighty Book: Falsehood shall not come to it from before it nor from behind it; a revelation from the Wise, the Praised One." (41:41-42)

"Therefore hold fast to that which has been revealed to you; surely you are on the right path. And most surely it is a reminder for you and your people <Zikru laka wa le qaumika>, and you shall soon be questioned." (43:43-44)

The above verses identify that "Az-Zikr" is not some special revelation outside of the Qur’an but it is an attribute of the Qur’an itself. There are many other verses in which the circulation of the word "Zikr" clarifies that it is nothing but an attribute of Allah’s Book itself.

Having identified the word "Zikr" to be another attribute of Allah’s Book, let us see what is meant by <Litubayyina> "..that you may make clear..", as traditionalists imply that <Litubayyina> means to give additional details and explanations added to the Qur’an, which is why "Az-Zikr" was revealed on the messenger.

The word <Litubayyina> comes from the root <ba> <ya> <noon>, i.e. <bayyana> which carries the meaning of:

The meaning of this word is further clarified as its occurrence in the Qur'an is expounded upon. This word,<tabayyanun> has occurred in the Qur'an as opposite of <katmun> (3.187) and <Akhfaaun> (5.15) both of which carry the meaning of : "to hide or to keep to one's self".

Following is the circulation of this word in Qur’anic verses:

"And when Allah took a covenant from those who have been given The Book, that they shall make it evident to mankind <latubayyinunnahu_ linna_si>, and they shall not keep it secret <wa la_ taktumu_nah>.." (3:187)

Further clarified in

"O People of the Book! Indeed Our Messenger has come to you making evident to you <YUBAYYINU LAKUM> much of what you concealed from the Book <KUNTUM TUKHFU_NA MINAL KITA_B> and passing over much; indeed, there has come to you light and a clear Book from Allah." (5:15)

From the above the meaning of the word under discussion is more expounded as ‘To make evident what is hidden or concealed’. Finally in Surah Al-Baqara the meaning of this word is confirmed to be 'Clear' or Evident' and not what the traditionalists suggest, i.e ‘to give additional details’.

We are told:

"Let there be no compulsion in Deen. Truth stands out clear from error <qad tabayyanar rushdu minal ghaiy> .." (2:256)

Thus the above circulation has clearly demonstrated that "Az-Zikr" is not some revelation that the messenger received outside of the Qur’an but simply an attribute of the Qur’an itself Furthermore "Litubayyina" does not carry the meaning of giving additional details but simply means to make evident or known what is hidden or concealed. In 16:44 when Allah informs the messenger that:

"And We have revealed to you the Reminder that you may make clear to men what has been revealed to them, and that haply they may reflect." (16:44)

Then it is simply being stated that:

• Allah sent down His Book on the messenger. "And We have revealed to you the Reminder.."
• But this Book is meant for all mankind, and not only for the messenger, as clarified by the statement "..that you may make clear to men what has been revealed to them, and that haply they may reflect."
• "The messenger’s job is to make the Book evident to them and not limit it to himself only, as clarified by the phrase "..that you may make clear to men..". This is further elucidated in Surah Al Maidah where it says:

"O Messenger! Deliver what has been revealed to you from your Sustainer; and if you do it not, then you have not delivered His message, and Allah will protect you from the people; surely Allah will not guide the unbelieving people." (5:67)

The command for not keeping the Book of Allah to one's self only is because those who do not make it evident to people are deprived of divine blessings and bounties. See 2:159

Thus it is clear from the above that the messenger was to make the Book of Allah clear and evident to all mankind. Now how was the Book of Allah made evident to people? How did the messenger clarify the Qur’anic teachings? The answers to these are provided in the next chapter.