The Problem of Determining the Chronology of the Meccan Verses and Surahs: A Review about the Use of the al-Rahman name in the Qur'an

Abstract

The tools we have are limited when determining the chronology of the Meccan Qur'an passages. In this context, one of the outstanding research issues is the decisive role of the time priod that al-Rahman name is used by the Qur'an revelation. While working, some Western scholars have acted with prejudice that the Muhammad had a reveal policy to follow by the naming his god and we need to make it clear. Consequently, they have reached two conclusions that the name al-Rahman used during the middle of Meccan period and this name not derived from root of rahmah because it must be cited from nighboring cultures by the Prophet. On the other hand, we can say that the Muslim researchers who critics this biased approacah confused determining the ideological goal with testing the accuracy of the reached conclusion and they acted with a rough defensive reflect.