What makes a chapter in the Qur'an?

[illykitty]

Title might sound a little confusing, so let me explain. You have chapters that are really large and some really short. The short chapters, imo, make sense as why they are arranged as they are. The larger chapters confuse me, as to why all of this text is linked together.

For example, the Surat 2, Al-Baqarah (The Cow) is called this way because of a small part of the chapter. Apart from this bit, what makes the rest of the chapter be together?

I hope you understand my question and if not, I'll try to word it differently. Thanks in advance for answers.

 

[Shia Islam]

Title might sound a little confusing, so let me explain. You have chapters that are really large and some really short. The short chapters, imo, make sense as why they are arranged as they are. The larger chapters confuse me, as to why all of this text is linked together.

For example, the Surat 2, Al-Baqarah (The Cow) is called this way because of a small part of the chapter. Apart from this bit, what makes the rest of the chapter be together?

I hope you understand my question and if not, I'll try to word it differently. Thanks in advance for answers.

Hi,

the arrangement of the content of the quran is based on the direction of the prophet.

as of the names of the chapters, which are called the Suras, I am not sure whether all of the names are given by the prophet (s). I came across some researches addressing the question of the names...I don't remember them fully for now... But here are some remarks about the names:

-Some Suras have more than one name...such as Al-Ekhlas which is also called Al Tawheed...there are many others...

- The prophet (s) himself has used at least many of the names...

- These sura names seem to be in accordance to the fact that people used to fully memorize the whole Quran, or for some, large parts of it...Here is an explanation:

When you talk to someone who memorize the whole Quran about a particular Sura, you may aim to bring into his/her mind the whole sura and not just to identify the sura by its position in the Quran for example..

This is clear from the types of names used...

for instance the sura called An-Naml (the ants), this sura is covering many topics, so if you are talking to someone who memorize the whole quran, how will you bring it to his/her memory. the word 'ant' is very noticeable and can easily identify the sura, indeed the story of the ant is something that is difficult to forget once you hear. The samething is true about the Sura called the cow, the elephant...

-There may be other remarks, However, this what comes to my mind for now.

 

[Cordoba]

Title might sound a little confusing, so let me explain. You have chapters that are really large and some really short. The short chapters, imo, make sense as why they are arranged as they are. The larger chapters confuse me, as to why all of this text is linked together.

For example, the Surat 2, Al-Baqarah (The Cow) is called this way because of a small part of the chapter. Apart from this bit, what makes the rest of the chapter be together?

I hope you understand my question and if not, I'll try to word it differently. Thanks in advance for answers.

The Qur'an was revealed to Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, over a duration of 23 years. He did not receive the revelation all at once through Angel Gabriel, but in several stages.

Each new chapter or part of a chapter, i.e. a number of verses, came to the Prophet at a time which suited the situation he was in.

For example, during the first 13 years of the Prophet's life in Makkah after the start of the revelation (i.e. from the age of 40 to 53), the vast majority of verses revealed to him then were dealing with matters of faith and belief in the One and Only God.

Commandments of fasting Ramadan - for example - were only revealed later on when he moved to Madinah.

For more details to answer your question, you may wish to check these two links:

Qur'an: Any Significance in the Order? - Qur'an & Scriptures - counsels - OnIslam.net

Quran Chapters: Divinely Revealed Names? - Qur'an & Scriptures - counsels - OnIslam.net

 

[dynavert2012]

Plus what the brothers said . I heard some scholars said that ppl should think more deeply about the names of chapters , some are clear why theu got that names like chapter 4 or 19 but yeah chapter 2 is little confusing as its onky 10 verses from 286 that talks about the story of the cow and so the scholars said that allah wills to send us a message about the importance of this story and the lesson learnt from it not just reading it as a story but to think about the lessons like to obey the command of god and his messengers and not complicating things as sons of israel did. They were commanded to slaughter any cow but they insisted on bringing burdens and hardships ovrr themslves by asking about the dhape and color and other details that's for an example you will find that also confirmed in sura 5 verse 101 and in a hadith when the prophet told the ppl to do pilgrimage. One of the audience said in every year o messenger of allah he kept silent and then replied if I said yes it would be and you won't be able so don't ask for details if I didn't
this is just an efforts of some scholars and allah knows the best

 

[illykitty]

The Qur'an was revealed to Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, over a duration of 23 years. He did not receive the revelation all at once through Angel Gabriel, but in several stages.

Each new chapter or part of a chapter, i.e. a number of verses, came to the Prophet at a time which suited the situation he was in.

For example, during the first 13 years of the Prophet's life in Makkah after the start of the revelation (i.e. from the age of 40 to 53), the vast majority of verses revealed to him then were dealing with matters of faith and belief in the One and Only God.

Commandments of fasting Ramadan - for example - were only revealed later on when he moved to Madinah.

For more details to answer your question, you may wish to check these two links:

Qur'an: Any Significance in the Order? - Qur'an & Scriptures - counsels - OnIslam.net

Quran Chapters: Divinely Revealed Names? - Qur'an & Scriptures - counsels - OnIslam.net

Thank you all for the answers so far, I think I'm starting to understand a little better now why they are called in such ways. It was a bit strange at first but makes a little more sense.

And thank you for the links, I read the first one yesterday and just read the second one now, after reading some chapters of the Qur'an. It helps a lot, thank you.

 

[Rational_Mind]

Title might sound a little confusing, so let me explain. You have chapters that are really large and some really short. The short chapters, imo, make sense as why they are arranged as they are. The larger chapters confuse me, as to why all of this text is linked together.

For example, the Surat 2, Al-Baqarah (The Cow) is called this way because of a small part of the chapter. Apart from this bit, what makes the rest of the chapter be together?

I hope you understand my question and if not, I'll try to word it differently. Thanks in advance for answers.

Explanation of arrangement is best covered in this commentary with an introduction to each chapter. It also explains that the name of Surah Al-Baqara may have been revealed and why it may have been so. Moreover, for understanding of arrangement of Chapters you can read the intro to each chapter in the Commentary below which explains its subject connection to past chapter.

The Holy Quran- Surah Al-Baqara

You must, you must, you must read the introduction to Surah Al-Fatiha.

Also here is explanation on the compilation of the Holy Quran

 

[Cordoba]

Thank you all for the answers so far, I think I'm starting to understand a little better now why they are called in such ways. It was a bit strange at first but makes a little more sense.

And thank you for the links, I read the first one yesterday and just read the second one now, after reading some chapters of the Qur'an. It helps a lot, thank you.

You're welcome sister

I also just found this answer which may shed more light on the topic:

Why Isn't Quran's Order As Originally Revealed? - Qur'an & Scriptures - counsels - OnIslam.net

Peace and best wishes

 

[Dawud]

Asalaam-o-Alaikum.

How does one determine the start and end of a Surah? I have heard that a new Surah must always begin with Bismillah, therefore, Surat at-Tawbah is not an independent Surah; rather it is a continuation of the previous.

Thoughts?