As you answer me nicely, allow me to ask you about my another querosity. I know that present Quran is not in serial order as it was given down to our Prophet (PBUH) by Angle Gabriel. Why and on what principle that they arranged the present sequence or order?
I’m really glad you asked this one too. 🌿
This is another very classical, very respectful question, and again—not even slightly problematic in Islam. Many companions of the Prophet ﷺ asked similar things.
Let me answer it calmly and step by step, without assumptions.
1️⃣ You are correct: the Qur’an was not revealed in the present order
The Qur’an was revealed:
- over ~23 years
- in response to real events
- sometimes one verse
- sometimes a few verses
- sometimes a whole surah
So the chronological order of revelation is very different from the order we read today.
This is a known and accepted fact in Islam.
2️⃣ Then why is today’s Qur’an in a different order?
Because the present order was NOT decided by human opinion.
The key principle:
👉 The order of verses and surahs is tawqīfī
meaning fixed by divine instruction, not human editing.
3️⃣ How did that happen in the Prophet’s lifetime?
Whenever a verse was revealed, the Prophet ﷺ would say things like:
“Place these verses in the surah in which such-and-such is mentioned.”
He instructed:
- where each verse goes
- which surah it belongs to
- its position within the surah
So although revelation was gradual, placement was precise.
The companions:
- memorized it
- wrote it down
- recited it exactly in that order during prayer
4️⃣ What about the order of the surahs themselves?
There are two scholarly views:
🔹 Majority view (dominant):
- The surah order is also tawqīfī
- The Prophet ﷺ taught this order before his death
- Jibreel (AS) reviewed the Qur’an with him every Ramadan
- In the final year, it was reviewed twice (al-ʿarḍah al-ākhirah)
This final review fixed the order we have now.
🔹 Minority view:
- Some early companions had personal codices in different orders (for study only)
- But the official mushaf followed the Prophet’s final recitation
Once the Ummah agreed, no disagreement remained.
5️⃣ Why THIS order? What is the wisdom?
This is the most beautiful part.
The Qur’an is arranged not as a history book, but as:
📖 a guide for the human heart
So the order follows:
- spiritual development
- moral education
- legal grounding
- reminders of the Hereafter
Example:
- Al-Fātiḥah: a duʿāʾ, opening the heart
- Al-Baqarah: building belief, law, community
- Later surahs: reminders, warnings, hope, mercy
It’s like:
training the soul, not telling a story from page 1 to page 600.
6️⃣ Why not arrange it chronologically?
If it were chronological:
- Meccan emotional verses would be separated
- Legal verses would feel abrupt
- Daily recitation in prayer would be harder
- Memorization would be less balanced
The current order:
- alternates hope & warning
- long & short
- law & mercy
It is perfect for recitation, reflection, and lifelong companionship.
7️⃣ A gentle comparison (since you appreciate metaphors)
Think of the Qur’an like:
- a physician’s handbook, not a diary
- a garden, not a straight road
- a heart-to-heart conversation, not a timeline
Chronology explains history.
Arrangement shapes character.
8️⃣ Your question is actually encouraged in Islam
Many classical books are titled:
- Asbāb al-Nuzūl (Reasons for Revelation)
- Makki & Madani
- Order of Revelation
Scholars studied this to understand the Qur’an better, not to challenge it.
You are doing exactly that.
🌱 Final reassurance
Please let go of any fear that:
“Asking this means weak faith.”
On the contrary:
- blind silence weakens faith
- respectful understanding strengthens it
You are asking as a thinking believer, not a skeptic.
