I. Abrogation refers to the cancellation or repeal of a legal rule by a later rule from the same or stronger source. II. There is disagreement over whether the Quran can be abrogated. Some argue it cannot as Allah's word is free from errors, while others cite examples where later verses or hadith seem to override earlier Quranic rules. III. The majority view is that sunnah can abrogate rules found in the Quran, pointing to instances where hadith introduced new rulings. However, others argue only the Quran can abrogate the Quran.

1. Abrogation
Abrogation:
Ijtihad has assumed much importance in today’s life but it is very difficult to
discuss issues related to Ijtihad without understanding the doctrine of
Abrogation and preference.
Meaning:
Literal meaning: Cancellation or transferring.
Technical meaning: lifting of a legal rule by another rule of later date by a
source of same strength or stronger strength.
Objection over this concept:
There is objection over this concept based on following arguments:
I. Allah has defined his book free of errors and therefore there is no chance
of abrogation or repeal the existing rule. If a rule is repealed by a later
rule then it amounts to error which have been rectified by the later rule.
They also argue that a rule relating to pre-existing rule may be a special
case which does not mean repealing the existing rule.

2. Abrogation
Objection over this concept:
II. There is a verse in the Holy Quran in which there is reference to abrogation but
that does not mean abrogation of Quranic rules but that actually means the
abrogation of rules prior to Islam.
III. It is also argued that verse of the Quran says that if there is Abrogation then it
is better cause. It is just a presumption it does not necessarily means that
there must be abrogation.
Arguments in Favor of Abrogation:
There are many evidence that suggest that there is possibility of evidence:
 Indeed, We see (the) turning (of) your face towards the heaven. So We
will surely turn you (to the) direction of prayer you will be pleased with.
So turn your face towards the direction (of) Al-Masjid Al-Haraam and
wherever that you are [so] turn your faces (in) its direction. And indeed,
those who were given the Book surely know that it (is) the truth from
their Lord. And not (is) Allah unaware of what they do. (Quran 2:144).

3. Abrogation
Arguments in Favor of Abrogation:
 And those who die among you and leave behind (their) wives (should
make) a will for their wives, provision for the year without driving (them)
out. But if they leave then no blame upon you in what they do concerning
themselves [of] honorably. And Allah (is) All-Mighty, All-Wise. (Quran
2:240).
 The rule provided in the above ayat was further dealt under this verse of
the Holy Quran:
“And those who pass away among you and leave behind wives, (the widows)
should wait for themselves (for) four months and ten (days). Then when
they reach their (specified) term, then (there is) no blame upon you for
what they do concerning themselves in a fair manner. And Allah of what
you do (is) All-Aware.” (Quran 2:234)

4. Abrogation
Arguments in Favor of Abrogation:
 Rules relating to consumption of Alcohol suggest that there is possibility of
abrogation.
 There have been many other instances in the life of Holy Prophet where
he introduced the principle of abrogation for various rules.
 There is unanimous agreement of all schools of thoughts that there is
possibility of abrogation.
Rules of Abrogation:
 Abrogation always proceeds from the Lawgiver.
 One text of Quran can abrogate other text of Quran.
 Mutwatir Hadith can abrogate Mutwatir and accordingly Khabr wahid can
abrogate Khabr Wahid.
 Abrogation is not possible on the basis of analogy.
 Ijma cannot abrogate text of Quran and sunnah.

5. Abrogation
Justification for the Doctrine of Abrogation:
We use various terms during this process of abrogation i.e.
Nasikh(Abrogating), Mansukh (Abrogated), Tanseekh Kuli (Complete
abrogation), Tanseekh juzi (partial abrogation) and takhsis ( restriction or
exceptional rule). The difference between modern jurists and Sunni
schools of thought is that they give this phenomena a different name but
that leads to same conclusion and same results. Hence existence of this
rule cannot be denied.
Can text of Quran be abrogated by Sunnah:
There is agreement among jurists that a text of Quran can only be abrogated
by text of Quran and a Sunnah can only be abrogated with same nature of
Sunnah. But there is disagreement among jurists about abrogation of text
of Quran by Sunnah. Opinions of different jurists are given below:

6. Abrogation
Can text of Quran be abrogated by Sunnah:
Opinion of Imam Shafi:
As per Imam Shafi it is not possible that a Sunnah can abrogate text of Quran.
He has given this opinion on the basis of following arguments:
I. Verse 106 of Surah Bakra says “whatever we abrogate or cause it to be
forgotten , we bring one better or like this thereof.”
II. Allah has used the “WE BRING” it means the capacity of bringing lies
with the God only and not with the prophet.
III. Furthermore as per above verse the better can only be brought by
Quran.
IV. There is another verse in the Holy Quran that “ we change a verse with a
verse”. It never says that a verse can be changed with the saying of the
Holy Prophet.

7. Abrogation
Can text of Quran be abrogated by Sunnah:
Majority opinion:
Majority jurists are of the view that Sunnah can abrogate the rule of Quran. They
give following arguments to substantiate their claim.
I. The verse of obligatory will was abrogated by the Hadith.
“Make a will for your parents and near ones”(Quran)
“No will in favor of Legal Heirs” (Sunnah)
II. In case of adultery only punishment of whipping was prescribed by the Holy
Quran while stonning to death was introduced by Sunnah of the Holy
Prophet.
III. It is also argued that Allah has said in the Holy Quran that Prophet does not say
anything from him but whatever he says that is suggested or revealed by
Allah.
IV. There is no rational reasoning that Prophet will add something which is not
lawful.