A Comparative Study of the Occasion of Revelation of Verses 5 - 22 of Chapter al-Insan according to the Exegetes of the Two Branches of Faith

There are two viewpoints about the place where Chapter al-Insan (Man) of the Quran was revealed. According to some Sunni exegetes, this chapter was revealed in Mecca whereas many others are of the view that it was revealed in Medina. However, when it comes to the cause of its revelation, there are five opinions. Some have said that the cause of the revelation of the said chapter was an Ethiopian (Habashi) man, some others believe that the verses of the Chapter al-Insa were revealed about Abu Dahdah al-Ansari. A third group of people maintain that Mutim bin Waraqa alAnsari had made a vow which he fulfilled upon which these verses were revealed. Another group of exegetes say that the cause of the revelation of this chapter was a number of the Prophet's companions. Shia exegetes and a lot of Sunni scholars, however, believe that this chapter and the verses 5 – 22 are about Ali, Fatima, Imam Hasan and Imam Hussein, peace be upon them. Therefore, this article seeks to study the different views regarding the cause and occasion of revelation of Chapter al-Insan analyzing and criticizing them from an exegetical perspective.