Which Qur'an verses are abrogated?
Abrogation in the Qur'an refers to the concept where certain verses are superseded or replaced by others. Several verses have been noted in both Sunni and Shia traditions as being abrogated.
One example is found in Sunan an-Nasa'i, where Ikrimah narrated from Ibn Abbas concerning the verse: "Whatever sign We abrogate or cause to be forgotten, We bring a better one or like it," and the verse: "And when We substitute one verse for another—and Allah knows best what He reveals," and the verse: "Allah erases what He wills and confirms, and with Him is the Mother of the Book." He said, "The first thing that was abrogated in the Qur'an was the qiblah. And also the verse regarding divorced women who must wait by themselves for three menstrual cycles and should not conceal what Allah created in their wombs up to the phrase, 'if they intend reconciliation.' This was because a man used to have greater right over his wife if he divorced her. Then when he divorced her three times, that was abrogated, and the verse: ‘Divorce is twice; then, either keep [her] in an acceptable manner or release [her] with good treatment’ was revealed.
Sunan an-Nasa'i 27:168
In Shia tradition, Al-Kafi mentions a specific abrogated verse related to marriage: I asked Abu Ja'far (peace be upon him) about the verse of Almighty God: 'And the chaste women of those who were given the Scripture before you.' He said: This verse has been abrogated by the saying, 'And do not hold the marriage bonds of disbelievers.'
Al-Kafi 3:170
These examples illustrate how certain verses have been declared abrogated, reflecting the evolving nature of divine guidance in Islamic teachings.
Sources
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Sunan an-Nasa'i 27:168
Sunan an-Nasa'i · Book 27, Hadith 168 · Narrated by Ibn Abbas
Ikrimah narrated from Ibn Abbas concerning the verse: “Whatever sign We abrogate or cause to be forgotten, We bring a better one or like it,” and the verse: “And when We substitute one verse for another—and Allah knows best what He reveals,” and the verse: “Allah erases what He wills and confirms, and with Him is the Mother of the Book.” He said, "The first thing that was abrogated in the Qur'an was the qiblah." And also the verse regarding divorced women who must wait by themselves for three menstrual cycles and should not conceal what Allah created in their wombs up to the phrase, 'if they intend reconciliation.' This was because a man used to have greater right over his wife if he divorced her. Then when he divorced her three times, that was abrogated, and the verse: ‘Divorce is twice; then, either keep [her] in an acceptable manner or release [her] with good treatment’ was revealed.
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Al-Kafi 3:170
Al-Kafi · Book 3, Hadith 170
Nothing exists in the heavens or the earth except by seven: decree, measure, desire, will, book, term, and permission. Whoever claims otherwise has lied against Allah or disputed with Allah Almighty. — OR — Regarding a man who dies traveling or in a land where only women are with him, he said, "He is buried without washing." And regarding a woman in such a situation among men, unless her husband is with her; if he is, then he must wash her over her dress, pouring water upon her abundantly, and his wife is washed if she dies. A woman is not like a man; she is worse in appearance at the time of death. — OR — A single dirham you spend on Hajj is better than twenty thousand dirhams spent on other matters. — OR — I asked Abu Ja'far (peace be upon him) about the verse of Almighty God: 'And the chaste women of those who were given the Scripture before you.' He said: This verse has been abrogated by the saying, 'And do not hold the marriage bonds of disbelievers.' — OR — Whoever falsely accuses his wife before consummation is punished with the hadd, and she is considered his wife.
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