The Holy Quran consists of 114 chapters, out of which 86 Surahs are classified as Makki. This classification is primarily based on the timing of the revelation rather than the geographical location. According to the consensus of most Islamic scholars... Read More
The Holy Quran consists of 114 chapters, out of which 86 Surahs are classified as Makki. This classification is primarily based on the timing of the revelation rather than the geographical location. According to the consensus of most Islamic scholars and historians, a "Makki" Surah is defined as any portion of the Quran that was revealed to the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) before the Hijrah (migration) to Medina. This period lasted approximately thirteen years, starting from the first revelation in Cave Hira in 610 CE and concluding with the move to Medina in 622 CE
To understand the nature of these 86 Surahs, one must look at the environment of Makkah during the early years of Islam. The society was deeply rooted in polytheism, tribalism, and social inequality. Consequently, the Makki revelations were designed to address these fundamental issues. Unlike the later chapters revealed in Medina, which focus on law and governance, the Makki Surahs are deeply theological. They focus on the "Usul-al-Din" (Fundamentals of Religion), which include the Oneness of God (Tawhid), the authenticity of the Prophethood (Risalat), and the certainty of the Day of Judgment (Akhirat)
The 86 Makki Surahs possess distinct linguistic and thematic features that set them apart from the 28 Madni Surahs. Linguistically, Makki chapters are known for their powerful, rhythmic, and concise verses. They often carry a sense of urgency and warning, intended to wake the conscience of the listeners. Many of these chapters begin with "Muqatta'at" (disjointed letters) like Alif-Lam-Mim or Ha-Mim, and they frequently include the word "Kalla" (Nay/Never), which is a stylistic tool used to refute the arguments of the polytheists.
Thematically, these chapters recount the historical narratives of previous Prophets, such as Ibrahim (AS), Nuh (AS), and Musa (AS). These stories were revealed to provide emotional and spiritual support to the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and the early Muslims, who were facing physical and economic persecution. By showing that previous messengers faced similar trials and were ultimately victorious, the Makki Surahs served as a source of steadfastness for a community that had no political power or military strength at the time.
While the 86 Makki Surahs make up the majority of the total number of chapters in the Quran, they are generally shorter in length compared to the Madni ones. This is why the first half of the Quran (in terms of page count) contains fewer Surahs, while the last few "Paras" (parts) contain a high density of Makki chapters. Another interesting feature is the presence of "Sajdah Tilawat" (verses of prostration); nearly all of the prostration verses found in the Quran are located within the Makki Surahs, symbolizing the total surrender to God that was required of the early believers in the face of Makkan opposition.
The transition from the 86th Makki Surah to the first Madni revelation marked a turning point from the "Call to Faith" to the "Building of a Society." Without the spiritual and moral foundation laid down by these Makki chapters, the legal and social framework established later in Medina would not have been possible.
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