Surah Baqarah ayat 106 Tafsir Quran 2:106

﴿۞ مَا نَنسَخْ مِنْ آيَةٍ أَوْ نُنسِهَا نَأْتِ بِخَيْرٍ مِّنْهَا أَوْ مِثْلِهَا ۗ أَلَمْ تَعْلَمْ أَنَّ اللَّهَ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدِيرٌ﴾
[ البقرة: 106]

2:106 We do not abrogate a verse or cause it to be forgotten except that We bring forth [one] better than it or similar to it. Do you not know that Allah is over all things competent?

When the disbelievers began to deride the matter of abrogation saying that one day Muhammad enjoins his Companions to one thing and then the next day he forbids it God revealed And whatever verse mā is the conditional particle that has been revealed containing a judgement We abrogate either together with its recital or not that is only its judgement but its recital continues; there is a variant reading nunsikh meaning ‘Whatever verse We command you or Gabriel to abrogate’ or postpone so that We do not reveal the judgement contained in it and We withhold its recital or retain it in the Preserved Tablet; a variant reading of nunsi’hā is nunsihā from ‘to forget’ so ‘Whatever verse We abrogate or We make you forget that is We erase from your heart’; the response to the conditional sentence begun with mā is We bring in place a better one that is more beneficial for Our servants either because it is easier to implement or contains much reward; or the like of it in terms of religious obligation and reward; do you not know that God has power over all things? including abrogating and substituting verses? the interrogative here is meant as an affirmative.

They question, O Muhammad, the wisdom of abrogation in certain circumstances. None of Our revelations or signs, secondary in character, do We terminate, but We replace it with a better or equivalent substitute; do you not know that Allah is Qadirun (Omnipotent) to effect all things

The Meaning of Naskh Ibn Abi Talhah said that Ibn `Abbas said that, مَا نَنسَخْ مِنْ ءَايَةٍ ( Whatever a verse (revelation ) do Nansakh) means, "Whatever an Ayah We abrogate." Also, Ibn Jurayj said that Mujahid said that, مَا نَنسَخْ مِنْ ءَايَةٍ ( Whatever a verse (revelation ) do Nansakh) means, "Whatever an Ayah We erase." Also, Ibn Abi Najih said that Mujahid said that, مَا نَنسَخْ مِنْ ءَايَةٍ ( Whatever a verse (revelation ) do Nansakh) means, "We keep the words, but change the meaning." He related these words to the companions of `Abdullah bin Mas`ud.
Ibn Abi Hatim said that similar statements were mentioned by Abu Al-`Aliyah and Muhammad bin Ka`b Al-Qurazi.
Also As-Suddi said that, مَا نَنسَخْ مِنْ ءَايَةٍ ( Whatever a verse (revelation ) do Nansakh) means, "We erase it." Further, Ibn Abi Hatim said that it means, "Erase and raise it, such as erasing the following wordings ( from the Qur'an ), `The married adulterer and the married adulteress: stone them to death,' and, `If the son of Adam had two valleys of gold, he would seek a third."' Ibn Jarir stated that, مَا نَنسَخْ مِنْ ءَايَةٍ ( Whatever a verse (revelation ) do Nansakh) means, "Whatever ruling we repeal in an Ayah by making the allowed unlawful and the unlawful allowed." The Nasakh only occurs with commandments, prohibitions, permissions, and so forth.
As for stories, they do not undergo Nasakh.
The word, `Nasakh' literally means, `to copy a book'.
The meaning of Nasakh in the case of commandments is removing the commandment and replacing it by another.
And whether the Nasakh involves the wordings, the ruling or both, it is still called Nasakh. Allah said next, أَوْ نُنسِهَا ( or Nunsiha (cause it to be forgotten )).
`Ali bin Abi Talhah said that Ibn `Abbas said that, مَا نَنسَخْ مِنْ ءَايَةٍ أَوْ نُنسِهَا ( Whatever a verse (revelation ) do Nansakh or Nunsiha) means, "Whatever Ayah We repeal or uphold without change." Also, Mujahid said that the companions of Ibn Mas`ud ( who read this word Nansa'ha ) said that it means, "We uphold its wording and change its ruling." Further, `Ubayd bin `Umayr, Mujahid and `Ata' said, `Nansa'ha' means, "We delay it ( i.e., do not abrogate it )." Further, `Atiyyah Al-`Awfi said that the Ayah means, "We delay repealing it." This is the same Tafsir provided by As-Suddi and Ar-Rabi` bin Anas.
`Abdur-Razzaq said that Ma`mar said that Qatadah said about Allah's statement, مَا نَنسَخْ مِنْ ءَايَةٍ أَوْ نُنسِهَا ( Whatever a verse (revelation ) do We abrogate or cause to be forgotten) "Allah made His Prophet forget what He willed and He abrogated what He will." Allah's said, نَأْتِ بِخَيْرٍ مِّنْهَا أَوْ مِثْلِهَا ( We bring a better one or similar to it ), better, relates to the benefit provided for the one it addresses, as reported from `Ali bin Abi Talhah that Ibn `Abbas said, نَأْتِ بِخَيْرٍ مِّنْهَا ( We bring a better one ) means, "We bring forth a more beneficial ruling, that is also easier for you." Also, As-Suddi said that, نَأْتِ بِخَيْرٍ مِّنْهَا أَوْ مِثْلِهَا ( We bring a better one or similar to it ) means, "We bring forth a better Ayah, or similar to that which was repealed." Qatadah also said that, نَأْتِ بِخَيْرٍ مِّنْهَا أَوْ مِثْلِهَا ( We bring a better one or similar to it ) means, "We replace it by an Ayah more facilitating, permitting, commanding, or prohibiting." Naskh occurs even though the Jews deny it Allah said, مَا نَنسَخْ مِنْ ءَايَةٍ أَوْ نُنسِهَا نَأْتِ بِخَيْرٍ مِّنْهَا أَوْ مِثْلِهَا أَلَمْ تَعْلَمْ أَنَّ اللَّهَ عَلَى كُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدِيرٌ - أَلَمْ تَعْلَمْ أَنَّ اللَّهَ لَهُ مُلْكُ السَّمَـوَتِ وَالأَرْضِ وَمَا لَكُم مِّن دُونِ اللَّهِ مِن وَلِيٍّ وَلاَ نَصِيرٍ ( Know you not that Allah is Able to do all things Know you not that it is Allah to Whom belongs the dominion of the heavens and the earth And besides Allah you have neither any Wali (protector or guardian ) nor any helper). Allah directed His servants to the fact that He alone is the Owner of His creatures and that He does with them as He wills.
Indeed, His is the supreme authority and all creation is His, and just as He created them as He wills, He brings happiness to whom He wills, misery to whom He wills, health to whom He wills and ailment to whom He wills.
He also brings success to whom He wills and failure to whom He wills.
He judges between His servants as He wills, allows what He wills and disallows what He wills.
He decides what He wills, there is no opponent for His judgment, and no one can question Him about what He does, while they shall be questioned.
He tests His servants and their obedience to His Messengers by the Naskh.
He commands a matter containing a benefit which He knows of, and then He out of His wisdom, prohibits it.
Hence, perfect obedience is realized by adhering to His commands, following His Messengers, believing in what ever they convey, implementing their commands and avoiding what they prohibit. The statements of Allah here contain tremendous benefit, prove that the Jews are disbelievers and refute their claim that Naskh does not occur, may Allah curse the Jews.
In ignorance and arrogance they claimed that the sound mind stipulates that Naskh does not occur.
Some of them falsely claimed that there are divine texts that dismiss the possibility that Naskh occurred. Imam Abu Ja`far bin Jarir said, "The Ayah means, `Do you not know, O Muhammad, that I alone own the heavens and the earth and that I decide whatever I will in them I forbid whatever I will, change and repeal whatever I will of My previous rulings, whenever I will.
I also uphold whatever I will." Ibn Jarir then said, "Although Allah directed His statement indicating His greatness towards His Prophet , He also rejected the lies of the Jews who denied that the rulings of the Torah could undergo Naskh.
The Jews also denied the prophethood of Jesus and Muhammad ﷺ, because of their dislike for what they brought from Allah, such as changing some rulings of the Torah, as Allah commanded.
Allah thus proclaimed to the Jews that He owns the heavens and earth and also all authority in them.
Further, the subjects in Allah's kingdom are His creation, and they are required to hear and obey His commands and prohibitions.
Allah has full authority to command the creation as He wills, forbidding them from what He wills, abrogate what He wills, uphold what He wills, and decide whatever commandments and prohibitions He wills." I ( Ibn Kathir ) say that the Jews' dismissal of the occurrence of the Naskh is only a case of their disbelief and rebellion.
The sound mind does not deny that there could be a Naskh in Allah's commandments, for He decides what He wills, just as He does what He wills.
Further, Naskh occurred in previous Books and Law.
For instance, Allah allowed Adam to marry his daughters to his sons and then later forbade this practice.
Allah also allowed Nuh to eat from all kinds of animals after they left the ark, then prohibited eating some types of foods.
Further, marrying two sisters to one man was allowed for Israel and his children, but Allah prohibited this practice later in the Torah.
Allah commanded Abraham to slaughter his son, then repealed that command before it was implemented.
Also, Allah commanded the Children of Israel to kill those who worshipped the calf and then repealed that command, so that the Children of Israel were not all exterminated.
There are many other instances that the Jews admit have occurred, yet they ignore them.
Also, it is a well-known fact that their Books foretold about Muhammad ﷺ and contained the command to follow him.
These texts, in their Books, indicate that the Jews were required to follow the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ and that no good deed would be accepted from them, unless it conformed to Muhammad's ﷺ Law.
The Prophet brought another Book, - the Qur'an -, which is the last revelation from Allah.

(2:106) We bring a better verse or at least the like of it for whatever we abrogate or cause it to be forgotten. *109

We do not abrogate a verse or meaning

*109).
This is in response to a doubt which the Jews tried to implant in the minds of the Muslims.
If both the earlier Scriptures and the Qur'an were revelations from God, why was it - they asked - that the injunctions found in the earlier Scriptures had been replaced by new ones in the Qur'an? How could the same God issue divergent injunctions? Furthermore, they expressed their amazement at the Qur'anic indictment of the Jews and Christians for having allowed part of the revelation to be forgotten and lost, pointing out that it was impossible that Divine revelation should be erased from human memory.

In all this, their motive was not to know the truth but to cast doubt on the Divine origin of the Qur'an.
In refutation God states that He being the Absolute Sovereign has unlimited authority both to abrogate previous injunctions and to cause people to forget the injunctions He wants them to forget.
However, God ensures that whatever He abrogates or causes to be erased from people's memories is replaced by something equally or even more beneficial.

 

The Meaning of Naskh Ibn Abi Talhah said that Ibn `Abbas said that, مَا نَنسَخْ مِنْ ءَايَةٍ ( Whatever a verse (revelation ) do Nansakh) means, "Whatever an Ayah We abrogate." Also, Ibn Jurayj said that Mujahid said that, مَا نَنسَخْ مِنْ ءَايَةٍ ( Whatever a verse (revelation ) do Nansakh) means, "Whatever an Ayah We erase." Also, Ibn Abi Najih said that Mujahid said that, مَا نَنسَخْ مِنْ ءَايَةٍ ( Whatever a verse (revelation ) do Nansakh) means, "We keep the words, but change the meaning." He related these words to the companions of `Abdullah bin Mas`ud.
Ibn Abi Hatim said that similar statements were mentioned by Abu Al-`Aliyah and Muhammad bin Ka`b Al-Qurazi.
Also As-Suddi said that, مَا نَنسَخْ مِنْ ءَايَةٍ ( Whatever a verse (revelation ) do Nansakh) means, "We erase it." Further, Ibn Abi Hatim said that it means, "Erase and raise it, such as erasing the following wordings ( from the Qur'an ), `The married adulterer and the married adulteress: stone them to death,' and, `If the son of Adam had two valleys of gold, he would seek a third."' Ibn Jarir stated that, مَا نَنسَخْ مِنْ ءَايَةٍ ( Whatever a verse (revelation ) do Nansakh) means, "Whatever ruling we repeal in an Ayah by making the allowed unlawful and the unlawful allowed." The Nasakh only occurs with commandments, prohibitions, permissions, and so forth.
As for stories, they do not undergo Nasakh.
The word, `Nasakh' literally means, `to copy a book'.
The meaning of Nasakh in the case of commandments is removing the commandment and replacing it by another.
And whether the Nasakh involves the wordings, the ruling or both, it is still called Nasakh. Allah said next, أَوْ نُنسِهَا ( or Nunsiha (cause it to be forgotten )).
`Ali bin Abi Talhah said that Ibn `Abbas said that, مَا نَنسَخْ مِنْ ءَايَةٍ أَوْ نُنسِهَا ( Whatever a verse (revelation ) do Nansakh or Nunsiha) means, "Whatever Ayah We repeal or uphold without change." Also, Mujahid said that the companions of Ibn Mas`ud ( who read this word Nansa'ha ) said that it means, "We uphold its wording and change its ruling." Further, `Ubayd bin `Umayr, Mujahid and `Ata' said, `Nansa'ha' means, "We delay it ( i.e., do not abrogate it )." Further, `Atiyyah Al-`Awfi said that the Ayah means, "We delay repealing it." This is the same Tafsir provided by As-Suddi and Ar-Rabi` bin Anas.
`Abdur-Razzaq said that Ma`mar said that Qatadah said about Allah's statement, مَا نَنسَخْ مِنْ ءَايَةٍ أَوْ نُنسِهَا ( Whatever a verse (revelation ) do We abrogate or cause to be forgotten) "Allah made His Prophet forget what He willed and He abrogated what He will." Allah's said, نَأْتِ بِخَيْرٍ مِّنْهَا أَوْ مِثْلِهَا ( We bring a better one or similar to it ), better, relates to the benefit provided for the one it addresses, as reported from `Ali bin Abi Talhah that Ibn `Abbas said, نَأْتِ بِخَيْرٍ مِّنْهَا ( We bring a better one ) means, "We bring forth a more beneficial ruling, that is also easier for you." Also, As-Suddi said that, نَأْتِ بِخَيْرٍ مِّنْهَا أَوْ مِثْلِهَا ( We bring a better one or similar to it ) means, "We bring forth a better Ayah, or similar to that which was repealed." Qatadah also said that, نَأْتِ بِخَيْرٍ مِّنْهَا أَوْ مِثْلِهَا ( We bring a better one or similar to it ) means, "We replace it by an Ayah more facilitating, permitting, commanding, or prohibiting." Naskh occurs even though the Jews deny it Allah said, مَا نَنسَخْ مِنْ ءَايَةٍ أَوْ نُنسِهَا نَأْتِ بِخَيْرٍ مِّنْهَا أَوْ مِثْلِهَا أَلَمْ تَعْلَمْ أَنَّ اللَّهَ عَلَى كُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدِيرٌ - أَلَمْ تَعْلَمْ أَنَّ اللَّهَ لَهُ مُلْكُ السَّمَـوَتِ وَالأَرْضِ وَمَا لَكُم مِّن دُونِ اللَّهِ مِن وَلِيٍّ وَلاَ نَصِيرٍ ( Know you not that Allah is Able to do all things Know you not that it is Allah to Whom belongs the dominion of the heavens and the earth And besides Allah you have neither any Wali (protector or guardian ) nor any helper). Allah directed His servants to the fact that He alone is the Owner of His creatures and that He does with them as He wills.
Indeed, His is the supreme authority and all creation is His, and just as He created them as He wills, He brings happiness to whom He wills, misery to whom He wills, health to whom He wills and ailment to whom He wills.
He also brings success to whom He wills and failure to whom He wills.
He judges between His servants as He wills, allows what He wills and disallows what He wills.
He decides what He wills, there is no opponent for His judgment, and no one can question Him about what He does, while they shall be questioned.
He tests His servants and their obedience to His Messengers by the Naskh.
He commands a matter containing a benefit which He knows of, and then He out of His wisdom, prohibits it.
Hence, perfect obedience is realized by adhering to His commands, following His Messengers, believing in what ever they convey, implementing their commands and avoiding what they prohibit. The statements of Allah here contain tremendous benefit, prove that the Jews are disbelievers and refute their claim that Naskh does not occur, may Allah curse the Jews.
In ignorance and arrogance they claimed that the sound mind stipulates that Naskh does not occur.
Some of them falsely claimed that there are divine texts that dismiss the possibility that Naskh occurred. Imam Abu Ja`far bin Jarir said, "The Ayah means, `Do you not know, O Muhammad, that I alone own the heavens and the earth and that I decide whatever I will in them I forbid whatever I will, change and repeal whatever I will of My previous rulings, whenever I will.
I also uphold whatever I will." Ibn Jarir then said, "Although Allah directed His statement indicating His greatness towards His Prophet , He also rejected the lies of the Jews who denied that the rulings of the Torah could undergo Naskh.
The Jews also denied the prophethood of Jesus and Muhammad ﷺ, because of their dislike for what they brought from Allah, such as changing some rulings of the Torah, as Allah commanded.
Allah thus proclaimed to the Jews that He owns the heavens and earth and also all authority in them.
Further, the subjects in Allah's kingdom are His creation, and they are required to hear and obey His commands and prohibitions.
Allah has full authority to command the creation as He wills, forbidding them from what He wills, abrogate what He wills, uphold what He wills, and decide whatever commandments and prohibitions He wills." I ( Ibn Kathir ) say that the Jews' dismissal of the occurrence of the Naskh is only a case of their disbelief and rebellion.
The sound mind does not deny that there could be a Naskh in Allah's commandments, for He decides what He wills, just as He does what He wills.
Further, Naskh occurred in previous Books and Law.
For instance, Allah allowed Adam to marry his daughters to his sons and then later forbade this practice.
Allah also allowed Nuh to eat from all kinds of animals after they left the ark, then prohibited eating some types of foods.
Further, marrying two sisters to one man was allowed for Israel and his children, but Allah prohibited this practice later in the Torah.
Allah commanded Abraham to slaughter his son, then repealed that command before it was implemented.
Also, Allah commanded the Children of Israel to kill those who worshipped the calf and then repealed that command, so that the Children of Israel were not all exterminated.
There are many other instances that the Jews admit have occurred, yet they ignore them.
Also, it is a well-known fact that their Books foretold about Muhammad ﷺ and contained the command to follow him.
These texts, in their Books, indicate that the Jews were required to follow the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ and that no good deed would be accepted from them, unless it conformed to Muhammad's ﷺ Law.
The Prophet brought another Book, - the Qur'an -, which is the last revelation from Allah.

Then Allah mentions what was abrogated of the Qur’an and that which was not abrogated, as a direct reference to the claim of the Quraysh who said to the Prophet: O Muhammad! Why do you command us to do something and then forbid it, saying: ( Such of Our revelations as We abrogate ) We do not erase a verse that was acted upon before and which is now not acted upon ( or cause to be forgotten ) or leave unabrogated so that it is acted upon, ( We bring one better ) We send Gabriel with that which more profitable and easier to act upon ( or the like ) in reward, benefit and action. ( Knowest thou not ) O Muhammad ( that Allah is Able to do all things? ) of the abrogated and unabrogated.

Whatever a Verse (revelation) do We abrogate or cause to be forgotten, We bring a better one or similar to it. Know you not that Allah is able to do all things?

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