Kitab al-nasikh wa-l-mansukh of Abu ‘Ubaid al-Qasim b. Sallam

The term nasikh wa mansukh, usually translated as ‘abrogation’, relates to theories arising from the early exegesis of the Qur’an, in an attempt to resolve apparent contradictions in the Qur’anic text between different statements, especially those bearing on regulations. In such cases, verses later in date are held to modify or even suspend earlier verses. The same principle was applied to contradictions between Traditions forming the basis of the Sunnah. In the lifetime of the author of t…