The Septet-Couplet Structure of the Quran (A New Theory on the Arrangement of the Quranic Surahs)

The order of surahs in the Quran is one of the most important issues in interpretive studies and Quranic sciences that has attracted a lot of attention. The scholars of Quranic sciences and commentators tend to either believe that the current arrangement is the result of the ijtihad (exertion and understanding) of the companions, or merely consider this arrangement a tawqeefi (established through revelation) order based on the length of the surahs. Meanwhile, some also focus their attention on another type of arrangement, i.e. the revelatory arrangement. Of course, a few scholars of Quranic sciences and commentators believe in the role of wisdom in this arrangement in addition to believing in the tawqeefi order of the surahs and set forth some ideas in order to explain the wisdom behind the arrangement of the surahs. The theory of linear symmetry of the surahs, the theory of quartet hizbs of the surahs with the pivotal role of the Surah al-Baqarah, and the theory of septet Meccan and Medinan hizbs of the surahs including the binarity of surahs are the three theories set forth so far. In this paper, first, these three theories are evaluated and criticized. Then modifying and completing the third theory, a new theory on the system and arrangement of the surahs in the Quran is offered.