Al-Zarkashī and al-Suyūtī's Views on the Occasion of Revelation Reports

The so-called occasions of revelation (أسباب النزول) material is an important constituent of the Qur’ānic exegesis literature in particular and Qur’ānic scholarship in general, and has been developed over the centuries by Islamic scholars who have greatly extended its realm of influence. The article begins by offering a historical review and roundup of the opinions of commentators and authors of related literature from the 3rd century through the 9th century A. H. The article has restricted its focus to presenting the major scholarly views on the subject in the most general terms and does not concern itself with specificstatements on the occasion for revelation of a particular verse. According to Rippin, al-Zarkashī (in Al-Burhān) and al- Suyūtī (Al-Atqān) offer the most comprehensive account and authoritative summary of the collective opinions of their predecessors. They have posed five questions of fundamental significance concerning the influence of the occasions for revelation on interpretation of specific verses from the Qur’ān. Rippin concludes that in al-Suyūtī’s view, the most important utility of occasions of revelation reports is their jurisprudential function, although he accepts their value as historically and narratively significant. A major portion of the article is devoted to exemplifying the specificviews of al-Suyūtī and al-Zarkashī on interpretation of particular verses and the role played by the reported occasions for their revelation