Abrogation (Naskh) of Quran by Sunnah Mutawatirah

Scholars have differed regarding the issue [masalah] whether sunnah mutawatirah can
abrogate the Quran.


The Opinion of the Majority [Jamhur]

The majority said the sunnah mutawatirah and mash-hoorah can abrogate the Quran, this is
the opinion of the Ahnaf, Imam Malik, Ameen Ash-Shanqiti and others.

From the examples they have given for this type of abrogation is that Allah said:

{It is prescribed for you, when death approaches any of you, if he leaves any wealth that
he make a bequest to parents and next of kin} [2:180]

And according to the majority this has been abrogated by the hadith of the prophet:

There is no bequest for an inheritor. [Tirmidhi, Ibn Maja, Daraqutni]


The Opinion of Imam Shafi and Others

Imam Shafi and Ahmad are of the opinion it is not possible for sunnah to abrogate Quran and
this is also the opinion of Ibn Qudamah, Ibn Taymiyyah and others. The Shafi scholars also
differed on whether this type abrogation has actually taken and whether this would be
permissible.

They have explained the examples of this type abrogation used by the majority to be either
abrogation of the Quran by the Quran, or qualification [taqyeed], or specification [takhsees],
or explaination [tafseel]. The said regarding the above example of verse 2:180 that it has been
abrogated by the Quranic verses of inheritance 4:11-12, 176, thus this in reality is an example
of abrogation of Quran by Quran and not by sunnah.


The Evidences and Arguments of Imam Shafi and Others

Their proofs are that Allah said in surah Al Baqarah:

{None of Our revelations do We abrogate or cause to be forgotten, except that We
substitute something better or similar.} [2:106]

And in this verse Allah has attribute abrogating and substitute to Himself.

Allah said in surah Yunus:

{But when Our Clear Signs are recited unto them, those who hope not for Our meeting
say: Bring us a reading other than this, or change it. Say: It is not for me to change it
of my accord: I follow not but what is revealed unto me.} [10:15]

In this verse the prophet (SAW) is commanded to tell the people that he is not permitted to
change what is in the Quran from his own perspective or desire.

Allah said in surah An Nahl:

{And when We substitute one verse for in place of another} [16:101]

Here again Allah has attributed substitute to Himself.

Allah said in surah Ar Rad:

{Allah removes what He wills or confirms, and with Him is the Mother of the Book.}
[13:39]

In this verse again Allah has attributed removing to Himself.

They also said the prophet (SAW) was sent to explain and expound upon the Quran.

Allah said in surah An Nahl:

{With clear signs and Books (We sent the Messengers). And We have also sent down
unto you (O Muhammad SAW) the reminder and the advice (the Quran), that you may
explain clearly to men what is sent down to them, and that they may give thought.}
[16:44]

And:

{And We have not sent down the Book (the Quran) to you (O Muhammad SAW), except
that you may explain clearly unto them those things in which they differ, and (as) a
guidance and a mercy for a folk who believe.} [16:64]

Ibn Taymiyyah also mentions as proof the manhaj of the salaaf [pious predecessors] in
seeking judgement [al hukm] that they would look in the Quran and if they did not find it in
the Quran then secondly they would look in the sunnah, then he goes on to say Because the
sunnah does not abrogate the Book [the Quran].

(Majmu' ul Fatawa, 202/19)

They also said sunnah is of lesser strength than the Quran in terms of evidence.

They also said if sunnah abrogated Quran then it would allow for criticisms from non-
muslims that the prophet contradicted what he (SAW) considered the words of Allah.
















The Response of the Majority

The majority responded to the evidences used by Imam Shafi and others by saying they are
both revelation from Allah except that the abrogation from Allah has been made apparent on
the tongue of His messenger (SAW).

(Maa'limu Usul ul Fiqh 'Inda Ahlus-Sunnati wal Jama'ah by Al Jeezaanee, pg. 209)

Also they said Allah said regarding the prophet (SAW):

{And he does not speak of his own desire; it is not except inspiration sent down to him.}
[53:3-4]

And they said this verse is an explanation of those verses used by Imam Shafi and others.

This is a brief summary of differences of scholars on this masalah.

And Allah knows best.