Coherence of the Qur'an

بِسۡمِ ٱللهِ ٱلرَّحۡمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ

This blog post discusses the concept of tadabbur (contemplation on the Qur’an) at one level of application by looking at the relationship between Surah Fatiha and Surah al-Nas. The Qur’an is a linguistic miracle and this includes many aspects.  One of these is the coherence of the Qur’an, which is a theory that argues that there are connections between each verse to the one before and after it, as well as the between each surah to the one before and after it.

This miracle is reinforced by the historical fact that the order of revelation was different to the order in which the Qur’an is currently compiled. It is very hard to have coherence in a book when each verse or group of verses have been revealed in response to different situations and context. Nevertheless, there comes a point when the coherence is so vast and in so many different aspects that no human is able to create such a literary piece. Various classical and authoritative scholars in the field of Qur’anic sciences such as Zarkashi, Suyuti and Razi argued in support of the view of coherence, which is evidenced through deep reflection upon the Qur’an.

Surah Fatiha (1) is the first surah of the Qur’an whilst surah al-Nas (114) is the last surah of the Qur’an, in the compiled order. Yet when the two surahs are considered side by side, they reveal fascinating links and lessons. I reveal some of them below, not all, because the ocean of the Qur’an is vast.

Surah Fatiha	Surah al-Nas	Commentary
Surah Fatiha starts off as praise of Allah Most High and then linguistically (through a rhetorical method called iltifat) shifts to du’a in verse 5.	Surah al-Nas starts off with a command (in the first word “say!”) and then proceeds to a du’a in verse 1.	This teaches us the adab of starting off with the praise of Allah Most High Both surahs contain du’a.
Verse 2 describes Allah as the Rabb of the worlds, thus giving a “macro” level to Allah’s power.	Verse 1 describes Allah as the Rabb of mankind, thus giving a “micro” level to Allah’s power.	The two surahs give contrasting yet illuminating displays of how Allah Most High cares for both the small and large things, not neglecting anything. Both surahs contain the word “Rabb”.
Surah Fatiha mentions the word “Allah” in reference to God.	Surah al-Nas mentions the word “Ilah” in reference to God.	Both terms are used to refer to God. There is also a scholarly opinion that the word “Allah” is linguistically derived from the word “al-Ilah”.
Surah Fatiha mentions the phrase “King (Malik) of the Day of Judgement”.	Surah al-Nas mentions the phrase “King (Malik) of mankind”.	Day of Judgement is the day that mankind is judged. It is the day that all of mankind is moving towards. Both surahs contain the word “Malik”.
Surah Fatiha has the du’a of seeking Allah’s aid and to be guided to the straight path.	Surah al-Nas has the du’a of seeking refuge in Allah Most High from Shaytan, the accursed.	Shaytan is the one who whispers in the hearts of mankind and jinn to swerve from the straight path. It is only through seeking Allah’s aid that we can be saved from Shaytan.

As one can see from the above, there are clear examples of coherence in the Qur’an. Those who deny such coherence from modern times do so because of their lack of sufficient reflection upon the Qur’an, as well as in some cases their anti-intellectual attitudes.