What is the ruling on one who says that the names of the Quranic surahs were created, and are not part of the revelation?
The naming of the surahs (chapters) of the Holy Quran is a matter of scholarly disagreement. The preponderant view is that it is tawqifi (divinely ordained), meaning the names were given by the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him. Alternatively, some names are tawqifi and others were based on the ijtihad (independent reasoning) of the Companions. What Allah or His Messenger named is not created. What was a result of ijtihad is created.
As for the letters of the alphabet, what Allah spoke is uncreated. What was originated by the Prophet, peace be upon him, or other created beings, is created. Thus, the Quran is the uncreated speech of Allah, while the sounds and movements made by servants when reciting it are created.
Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026
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