Order of the Surahs and Ayahs

Q 5: I heard some people say that the Surahs (Qur'anic chapters) should be arranged according to the order of their revelation, and that it was arranged in its present order by Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him). Is it permissible to arrange the Surahs according to their order of revelation? What is the ruling on the current order?

A: The order of the Surahs and Ayahs (Qur'anic verses) should be kept as it is now. No one should tamper with this order. The Sahabah (Companions of the Prophet) learned the order of the Ayahs from the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him), and there was consensus among them. The arrangement of the Ayahs was made by literal instructions of the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him), whereas the arrangement of the Surahs was by the Ijtihad (juristic effort to infer expert legal rulings) of the Sahabah (may Allah be pleased with them). Our advice is to learn the Qur’an, recite it, contemplate it, act upon it, and call people to believe in it, as it is in its present order. (Part No. 4; Page No. 18) Moreover, we must keenly apply the Sunnah of the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him), for it is the second Wahy (Divine Revelation) that explains that which underlies the meanings of Allah’s Words.May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family and Companions.