How do you interpret the following verse from the Koran (2:106) ?

Question

5 different English translation.

2:106.
AA When We cancel a message (sent to an earlier prophet) or throw it into oblivion, We replace it with one better or one similar. Do you not know that God has power over all things?
NQ 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 Allâh is able to do all things.
PK Nothing of our revelation (even a single verse) do we abrogate or cause be forgotten, but we bring (in place) one better or the like thereof. Knowest thou not that Allah is Able to do all things?
SH Whatever communications We abrogate or cause to be forgotten, We bring one better than it or like it. Do you not know that Allah has power over all things?
YU None of Our revelations do We abrogate or cause to be forgotten, but We substitute something better or similar: Knowest thou not that Allah Hath power over all things?

Answer 1

Mohammad composed Koran over a period of 23 years.
In 23 years, he was saw to rise from an unknown preacher to a head of state.
Therefore, his teachings during the early days of the "DAWA" (Mission) was invalid and irrelevant to the days when he became the head of the state.
A. This long period of time caused him to forget some of the phrases he said earlier specially he used not to write his phrases
B. The changes happened during this long period in his stature among his people urged him to utilize methods to get rid of his, not anymore applicable, teachings.
He found 2 methods:
1. invalidation: That is he invalidated his previous instructions with new instructions.
2. Claiming to forget the old teachings saying that god has cause him to forgot.
When his opponents reproached him for doing so he said this phrase saying that:
What we invalidate or the god cause to forgetten god will replace with better phrases.

Example:
When he was still a humble preacher in Mekkah he used to say:
[109.1] Say: O unbelievers!
[109.2] I do not serve that which you serve,
[109.3] Nor do you serve Him Whom I serve:
[109.4] Nor am I going to serve that which you serve,
[109.5] Nor are you going to serve Him Whom I serve:
[109.6] You shall have your religion and I shall have my religion.

While when he became the head of the sate and need to fight he had to order the troops to kill so he will contradict his earlier orders in Unbelievers he invalidated it with the following:
[2.193] And fight with them until there is no persecution, and religion should be only for Allah, but if they desist, then there should be no hostility except against the oppressors.

The second Sura invalidated the 1st one.

Answer 2

this verse 2:106 is hard to translate. but i will try to explain to you.

in the Quran there is something called "Nasekh" and "Mansookh". for example, Arabs were very addicted to alcoholic, and it's no way that they can stop drinking at one time, so Islam solved the problem by first using Nasekh, and then Mansookh:

1. (Nasekh). believers don't come to the prayers while you are drunk!
[43] O you who believe! Approach not As-Salât (the prayer) when you are in a drunken state until you know (the meaning) of what you utter....."
Quran 4:43

so at first, this verse was an idication that they can't drink during prayers. so people figure out that they can drink at night. since we pray 5 times a day, people figure out that they can only drink during certain time, at night for example.

2. (Mansookh). then later on, God has put his command down "Mansookh" that to intoxicants all kinds of alcoholic except in the time of "you have to" or emergency.

[90] O you who believe! Intoxicants (all kinds of alcoholic drinks), .......... "
Quran 5:120
so even though God has changed the command, it all goes in one direction. you can't come to prayers while drunk (but God didn't say you can drink either, but people figure out that's what it means, that's a mercy from God to help believers with their faith)

and Naseekh and mansookh also happend again in Quran 2:284 & 2:286

that's all i can do to explain.

Answer 3

from a hadits/ hadeeth by ibnu abi hatim by 'ikrimah, by ibnu 'abbas (not in exact sentences):
one day prophet Muhammad (pbuh) worried that he'll forget the revelation he received from God the night before. so the above ayat is God's guarantee that the revelation is unable to be forgotten.
and God is the most Powerful and Merciful.

addition:
yes, brother z9y2a8 gives the right and clearer answer about the gradual/ step-by-step orders from God, to abandon drinking alcohol, and from taking interests (riiba) from loans.

Answer 4

The last of prophets in the order of time was Malachias.

Latin Vulgate
Douay-Rheims Bible

Second Epistle Of Saint Peter
Chapter 2

1 But there were also false prophets among the people, even as there shall be among you lying teachers, who shall bring in sects of perdition, and deny the Lord who bought them: bringing upon themselves swift destruction. 2 And many shall follow their riotousnesses, through whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of. 3 And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you. Whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their perdition slumbereth not. 4 For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but delivered them, drawn down by infernal ropes to the lower hell, unto torments, to be reserved unto judgment

11 Whereas angels who are greater in strength and power, bring not against themselves a railing judgment. 12 But these men, as irrational beasts, naturally tending to the snare and to destruction, blaspheming those things which they know not, shall perish in their corruption, 13 Receiving the reward of their injustice, counting for a pleasure the delights of a day: stains and spots, sporting themselves to excess, rioting in their feasts with you: 14 Having eyes full of adultery and of sin that ceaseth not: alluring unstable souls, having their heart exercised with covetousness, children of malediction

Answer 5

Jeeez, this is really tough to understand.

Does it mean that the Muslims can re-write anything and it's OK in God's eyes?

Answer 6

With an interpreter!!

Cheers

Answer 7

I interpreted it by taking a **** and wiping my *** with it