Why were the surahs of the Mushaf not arranged according to the order of their revelation?
Scholars unanimously agree that the arrangement of verses within the surahs (chapters) is divinely ordained (tawqifi) by the command of the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him. They cite numerous hadiths, including his saying, "Place these verses in the surah that mentions such-and-such," and "Jibril, peace be upon him, came to me and commanded me to place this verse in this particular position in this surah."
As for the arrangement of the surahs, there is disagreement. The majority of scholars hold that it was based on the ijtihad (independent reasoning) of the Companions, while others maintain that it was also divinely ordained, citing hadiths such as, "I have been given the seven long surahs in place of the Torah," and that the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, would recite the Qur'an to Jibril every year in this very order.
Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026
Read the full answer on Ftawyhttps://ftawy.com/en/questions/5467