The Abrogation Paradox

When the Eternal Word of Allah Rewrites Itself

“Whatever verse We abrogate or cause to be forgotten, We bring one better or similar to it.”
— Qur’an 2:106

Introduction

Muslims believe the Qur’an is the eternal, unchanging, and perfect word of Allah—a book that is “clear,” “consistent,” and “fully detailed” (Q 6:114–115). It is said to be preserved in the "Preserved Tablet" (al-lawh al-mahfuz) in heaven (Q 85:21–22), meaning its verses are not the product of time or circumstance, but divine truths outside of history.

But a doctrine built into the Qur’an itself undermines this idealized picture: abrogation (naskh).

Muslim scholars admit that later, often violent or intolerant verses cancel out earlier, peaceful and tolerant verses. This theological mechanism turns Islam into a bait-and-switch religion—one that initially appears merciful, only to later demand subjugation, warfare, and theocratic dominance.

This article will explore:

The Qur’anic doctrine of abrogation.
How violent verses override peaceful ones.
What classical Islamic scholars say.
Why this contradicts the doctrine of eternal, unchanging revelation.
The self-destruction this causes in Islamic theology.

1. What is Abrogation (Naskh)?

The Qur’an itself declares that God can cancel His own previous revelations:

"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."
— Qur’an 2:106

"When We substitute one verse in place of another—and Allah knows best what He reveals—they say, ‘You are just making this up!’"
— Qur’an 16:101

The doctrine of naskh teaches that certain verses of the Qur’an were permanently superseded by later revelations.

Early verses preached peace, patience, tolerance, and religious freedom.
Later verses, mostly revealed in Medina, introduced jihad, warfare, and intolerance toward disbelievers.

And here lies the paradox: How can a book claimed to be eternal and perfect contain verses that are “improved” upon?

2. The “Peaceful Islam” That Never Lasted

Many Muslims and apologists cite peaceful Meccan verses to show Islam as tolerant. For example:

“There is no compulsion in religion.” — Qur’an 2:256
“To you your religion, and to me mine.” — Qur’an 109:6
“Repel evil with what is better.” — Qur’an 41:34

But these verses are abrogated—canceled by later verses revealed after Muhammad had political and military power.

The clearest abrogating verse?

“Fight those who do not believe in Allah... until they pay the jizya with willing submission and feel themselves subdued.”
— Qur’an 9:29

“When the sacred months have passed, kill the polytheists wherever you find them, capture them, besiege them, and lie in wait for them.”
— Qur’an 9:5 (the "Sword Verse")

3. What Do Classical Scholars Say?

The doctrine of abrogation is not a fringe idea. It is central to classical tafsir (exegesis) and legal rulings.

a. Al-Suyuti (d. 911 AH / 1505 CE)

“The verse of the sword (9:5) has abrogated 124 verses of peace and forgiveness.”
— Al-Itqan fi 'Ulum al-Qur’an, Vol. 2, p. 24

b. Ibn Kathir (d. 1373 CE), in his Tafsir on Qur’an 2:256:

“The verse ‘There is no compulsion in religion’ is abrogated by the verse of fighting.”
— Tafsir Ibn Kathir, commentary on Q 2:256

c. Al-Nasafi (d. 1310 CE), on Qur’an 9:5:

“This verse abrogates every peace treaty in the Qur’an.”
— Tafsir al-Nasafi, commentary on Q 9:5

These are not extremists—they are mainstream Sunni exegetes and jurists who shaped Islamic orthodoxy.

4. The Fatal Contradiction: Can the Eternal Word Be Rewritten?

If the Qur’an is “sent down from Allah in truth” (Q 2:185), “unchangeable” (Q 18:27), and “preserved in a tablet” (Q 85:21–22), how can Allah cancel or replace His own speech?

The Qur’an claims:

“None can change His words.” — Q 6:115
“Falsehood cannot approach it from before it or behind it.” — Q 41:42

But if later verses abrogate earlier ones, then:

His words did change.
Falsehood did approach (or was at least corrected).
And His word was not eternal, but reactive to Muhammad’s changing political context.

Either:

The Qur’an is truly eternal and unchanged, in which case abrogation is a contradiction.
Or Allah changes His mind and updates His commands, in which case the Qur’an is not eternal or perfect, but a product of time and circumstance.

This theological contradiction is irreconcilable.

5. The Real Reason for Abrogation: Muhammad’s Power Shift

In Mecca, Muhammad had no political power, no army, and no support. His message was peaceful because he had no means to enforce anything else.

He preached tolerance to avoid persecution.
He focused on spiritual and moral themes.

In Medina, after gaining followers and a militia, the revelation conveniently shifted:

Verses began to authorize raiding (Q 8:1, Q 8:41).
Then full-scale battle (Q 2:216, Q 9:5).
Then permanent subjugation of non-Muslims through jizya (Q 9:29).

This is not divine revelation, but a political program, revealed in stages as circumstances allowed.

6. Final Blow: Qur’an 10:64 Refutes Abrogation Entirely

“No change can there be in the words of Allah. That is the great success.”
— Qur’an 10:64

Yet the doctrine of abrogation directly contradicts this. The Qur’an cannot be:

Unchanging and yet subject to abrogation.
Perfect and yet in need of improvement.

This isn't a matter of interpretation. It’s a logical contradiction embedded in the very fabric of the Qur'an.

Conclusion: A God Who Changes His Mind?

Islam claims that the Qur’an is:

Eternal
Clear
Complete
Consistent
Perfect

But abrogation proves:

It is historical, not eternal.
It is inconsistent and self-canceling.
It evolves with political necessity.

If Allah’s word changes depending on time and context, then how is it divine at all?

The doctrine of abrogation exposes Islam’s biggest theological fraud: that the Qur’an is divine, timeless, and unchanging—when in fact it was adjusted, overwritten, and reversed.

It is not a revelation from heaven. It is a patchwork political manifesto, altered to fit the shifting fortunes of a warlord-turned-prophet.

Islam Imploding

Wednesday, June 11, 2025