The Makkan (Suwar) Revelation

The Makkan Suwar refer to revelation of the Qur’an that occurred while Muhammad S.A.W was in Makkah. These were the early days of Islam when the Prophet after being called to Prophethood began his mission of Islam.

The Makkan phase of the revelation lasted about 13 years, from the first revelation up to the period of hijra of Muhammad S.A.W from Makkah to Madinah. During this period, Muhammad S.A.W was occupied mainly with invitation of people (the Makkah pagans) to Islam. These were the people whose life and times were characterized by idol worshipping, moral decadence and low moral standards.

The Madinah revelation (Suwar)

This period lasted about ten years, from hijra to the death of the Prophet. The foundation of Islam was laid in Makkah which resulted in the formation of a muslim community (Ummah) in Madinah.

The Madinah Suwar were addressed to four groups of people unlike those of Makkah that were specifically addressed to the Quraish and other tribes. The four were:

Features and Characteristics of the Makkan and Madinah Suwar (Revelation)

The Makkan Suwar have their main themes as follows:

• The unity of Allah (Tawhid)
• The coming Resurrection and Judgment Day
• Righteous conducts, and lessons of the people and prophets of the past.

The Madinah Suwar on the other hand have their main themes as:

• Transformation of the Muslim Community into a state.
• The social, economic, political, military etc life of Muslims.
• The rules, regulations and ordinances of Islam.

Apart from the above, the Makkan Suwar are generally short, the language is poetic and the Suwar are full of oaths. In addition, the sentences are short, and are mostly full of warnings of hell to evil doers and promise of paradise for doers of good.