Nasikh wal-Mansukh (Abrogation in the Quran)

Definition

Nasikh wal-Mansukh (الناسخ والمنسوخ) refers to the concept of abrogation in Islamic law, where a later Quranic verse or Prophetic ruling supersedes an earlier one. This is a well-established principle in Islamic jurisprudence, grounded in the Quran itself: 'We do not abrogate a verse or cause it to be forgotten except that We bring forth one better than it or similar to it' (Quran 2:106).

Types of Abrogation

Scholars identify three types: Abrogation of the ruling but not the recitation: The verse remains in the Quran but its legal ruling is superseded. Example: the verse of inheritance that originally allowed bequests to parents and relatives (2:180) was superseded by the specific inheritance shares in 4:11-12. Abrogation of the recitation but not the ruling: The verse is no longer part of the Quran's text but its ruling remains in effect. Example: the verse of stoning for adultery (rajm). Abrogation of both recitation and ruling: Rare and of limited practical significance.

Conditions

For abrogation to be valid: the two texts must genuinely contradict with no possibility of reconciliation, the abrogating text must be later in chronological order, and the abrogation must be established through authentic evidence. Scholars differ on the exact number of abrogated verses; most estimates range from a handful to a few dozen.

Scholarly Caution

Many scholars, including Imam al-Shafi'i, applied abrogation conservatively, preferring to reconcile apparently conflicting texts before resorting to abrogation. Ibn al-Qayyim argued that many claimed cases of abrogation are actually cases of specification (takhsis) or contextual restriction.