What is the difference between the abrogation of recitation and the abrogation of a verse, and how is that evidenced from the Qur'an and the Sunnah?
It is permissible for the recitation of a verse to be abrogated without its ruling, or for its ruling to be abrogated without its recitation, or for both the ruling and the recitation to be abrogated together. An example of abrogation of recitation without the ruling is the verse of stoning: "The old man and the old woman, if they commit adultery, stone them both certainly, a deterrent punishment from Allah, and Allah is Almighty, All-Wise." Its recitation was abrogated, but its ruling remained. An example of abrogation of the ruling without the recitation is His, the Almighty's, saying: "And those of you who die and leave wives should bequeath for their wives a year's maintenance without their being expelled." Its ruling was abrogated, but its recitation remained. An example of abrogation of both the recitation and the ruling is what Aisha, may Allah be pleased with her, narrated: "Among what was revealed of the Qur’an was: 'Ten known sucklings make marriage unlawful,' then they were abrogated by 'five known sucklings.' And the Messenger of Allah passed away while they were among what is recited from the Qur’an." The first part was abrogated in both recitation and ruling according to everyone, and the second part was abrogated in both recitation and ruling according to the majority. According to Al-Shafi'i and those who agreed with him, its recitation was abrogated, but not its ruling.
Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026
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