Islam Rediscovered
13. The Shariah and Its Application
~ 232 ~
For a better understanding of this, one should take
into account the four different stages of the period
of prophethood of the Prophet of Islam:
(a) The first half of the Makkan period;
(b) The second half of the Makkan period;
(c) The first half of the Madinan period;
(d) The second half of the Madinan period.
Basically these four periods keep repeating
themselves throughout human history. By studying
the Quran in depth, the parallels to present-day
circumstances can easily be discovered: it is very
necessary if guidance is to be received from the
Quran in later periods of history.
As mentioned above, the Quran which exists with
us today in its complete form was not available to
the Muslims during the lifetime of the Prophet.
Instead it was revealed in parts (installments). At
that time only those passages of the Quran were
revealed which were relevant to the circumstances,
that is, whatever command was required pertaining
to the actual situation only that was given to the
