Did the messenger received a separate revelation known as Az-Zikr which was separate from the Qur’an? Was the the purpose of this hidden revelation to enable him to give additional details and explanations of the Qur’an as stated in Surah Al-Nahl 16 and verse number 44?
And We did not send before you any but men to whom We sent revelation– so ask the followers of the Reminder if you do not know– With clear arguments and scriptures; and We have revealed to you the Reminder <Az-Zikr> that you may make clear to men what has been revealed to them, and that haply they may reflect (16:43-44)
The above verse states that Allah has sent down Az-Zikr to the messenger. Let us see how this is conceived of in the Qur’an.
This We recite to you of the communications and the wise reminder. <zikril hakim>(3:58)
A Book revealed to you– so let there be no straitness in your breast on account of it– that you may warn thereby, and a reminder close to the believers. <zikra_ lil mu’minin> (7:2)
And you do not ask them for a reward for this; it is nothing but a reminder for all mankind. <zikrul lil ‘a_lamin>” (12:104)
And they say: O you to whom the Reminder <Zikr> has been revealed! you are most surely insane:Why do you not bring to us the angels if you are of the truthful ones? We do not send the angels but with truth, and then they would not have respite. Surely We have revealed the Reminder <Zikr> and We will most surely be its guardian (15:6-9)
And this is a blessed Reminder <Zikrun mubarakun> which We have revealed; will you then deny it? (21:50)
And We have not taught him poetry, nor is it meet for him; it is nothing but a reminder and a plain Quran.<Zikrun wa Qur’an un mubeen>” (39:69)
Surely those who disbelieve in the reminder <kaffaru biz Zikre> when it comes to them, and most surely it is a Mighty Book: Falsehood shall not come to it from before it nor from behind it; a revelation from the Wise, the Praised One. (41:41-42)
Therefore hold fast to that which has been revealed to you; surely you are on the right path. And most surely it is a reminder for you and your people<Zikru laka wa le qaumika>, and you shall soon be questioned. (43:43-44)
These verses suggest that Az-Zikr is not some special revelation outside the Qur’an but an attribute of the Qur’an itself. There are many other verses in which the context of the word Zikr indicates the same.
Let us now see what is meant by <Litubayyina> i.e…that you may make clear. Traditionalists tend to think that <Litubayyina> means to give details and explanations in addition to the Qur’an and suggest that this is why Az-Zikr was revealed to the messenger.
The word <Litubayyina> comes from the root <ba> <ya> <noon>, i.e. <bayyana> which carries the meaning of:
To be or become manifest, evident. A Dictionary and Glosarry of the Koran by J.Penrice pp-21
Be evident, render clear. Arabic English Dictionary by F. Steingass pp-155
To manifest, bring into view, disclose. Al Mawrid Arabic English Dictionary pp-256
To show, manifest Al Asri Arabic English Dictionary pp 85
To be or become plain, Evident, come out, visible, to announce.” Hans Wehr Arabic-Eng. Dictionary pp-87
The meaning of the word is further clarified in the context of its occurrence in the Qur’an. The word,<tabayyanun> occurs in the Qur’an as the opposite of <katmun> (3.187) and <Akhfaaun> (5.15) both of which carry the meaning of to hide or to keep to one’s self .
Let us consider a quite revealing contextual use of the word.
And when Allah took a covenant from those who have been given The Book, that they shall make it evident to mankind <latubayyinunnahu_ linna_si>, and they shall not keep it secret <wa la_ taktumu_nah>.. (3:187)
It is further clarified in another part of the Qur’an
O People of the Book! Indeed Our Messenger has come to you making evident to you <YUBAYYINU LAKUM> much of what you concealed from the Book <KUNTUM TUKHFU_NA MINAL KITA_B> and passing over much; indeed, there has come to you light and a clear Book from Allah. (5:15)
It would appear that the word would be best interpreted as To make evident what is hidden or concealed.
The exact meaning of the term comes to light in Surah Al-Baqara.
Let there be no compulsion in Deen. Truth stands out clear from error <qad tabayyanar rushdu minal ghaiy> .. (2:256)
We can safely infer on the basis of our examination of the word, Az-Zikr that it is not, as some scholars suggest, a revelation the messenger received aside from the Qur’an but a Qur’anic attribute.
Let us return for a moment to the concept of Az-Zikr. If we look at 16:44, we see that it is crucial for an understanding of the term.
And We have revealed to you the Reminder that you may make clear to men what has been revealed to them, and that haply they may reflect. (16:44)
The first part of the verse serves as a partial explanation.
Allah sent down His Book to the messenger. And We have revealed to you the Reminder. The Book is, however, meant for all mankind and not just the Messenger. “...that you may make clear to men what has been revealed to them, and that haply they may reflect.” The messenger’s task is to make the Book evident to them and not limit it to himself only, as suggested by the phrase ..that you may make clear to men…The idea is further developed and elucidated in Surah Al Maidah.
O Messenger! Deliver what has been revealed to you from your Sustainer; and if you do it not, then you have not delivered His message, and Allah will protect you from the people; surely Allah will not guide the unbelieving people. (5:67)
The command to the messenger not to confine the message to himself is couched as it is to convey a caveat: one who does not share it will be deprived of divine blessings and bounties. See 2:159
