Naskh, or abrogation, is a concept in Islamic jurisprudence and Quranic exegesis that deals with the notion that certain earlier revelations have been superseded by later ones. This concept is used to explain changes or updates in legal rulings within the Quran or between the Quran and Hadith. 

Here are some key aspects of Naskh:

1. Quranic Basis: Naskh is mentioned in the Quran, most notably in Surah Al-Baqarah (2:106), which states, “We do not abrogate a verse or cause it to be forgotten except that We bring forth one better than it or similar to it. Do you not know that Allah is over all things competent?” This verse provides the foundational basis for the concept of abrogation.
2. Types of Abrogation: There are generally considered to be three types of Naskh:
   • Naskh al-Hukm wa al-Tilawah: Abrogation of the ruling and the recitation, where both the law and the verse are no longer applicable.
   • Naskh al-Tilawah duna al-Hukm: Abrogation of the recitation but the ruling remains. This involves instances where the textual verse is not in the Quran, but its legal ruling is still enforced.
   • Naskh al-Hukm duna al-Tilawah: Abrogation of the ruling but not the recitation. Here, the verse remains in the Quran, but the legal ruling derived from it is no longer applicable, having been replaced by a newer ruling.
3. Purpose of Naskh: The concept of abrogation is seen as a means to progressively reveal Islamic law to accommodate the evolving circumstances and needs of the early Muslim community. It reflects the dynamic aspect of divine guidance in addressing social, moral, and legal challenges.
4. Identification and Analysis: Determining which verses or rulings are subject to Naskh involves careful scholarly analysis. It typically requires clear evidence that a specific ruling has been replaced, often sourced from both Quranic context and Hadith literature.
5. Debates and Interpretation: The concept of Naskh has been subject to debate and interpretation among Islamic scholars. While some see it as essential for understanding legislative evolution in Islam, others emphasize more limited use and caution against over-applying the concept.
6. Application in Fiqh (Islamic Jurisprudence): Naskh is relevant to the formulation of Islamic law and can influence the understanding of legal texts. Jurists consider both abrogated and abrogating rulings when deriving legal judgments, ensuring that the final rulings reflect the most current and applicable divine guidance.
7. Contemporary Context: In modern scholarship, Naskh continues to be explored and discussed, especially considering historical and contextual elements influencing legislative changes in early Islam.

Naskh remains an important concept that aids in comprehending the development and application of Islamic law, reinforcing the adaptability of divine guidance throughout the history of the Muslim community.

Written by AI. A more correct, God given, explanation can be found here.