There are 283 instances of nazala and its related forms in the Quran in different grammatical forms as shown in the table below are discussed to better understand their meaning in different contexts:
Note: The above table is populated with data obtained from www.corpus.quran.com
There are 32 instances in different grammatical forms found in 32 verses across 29 surahs other than the instances of nazala, nazzala and anzala but related to them, which are detailed out below to better understand their meanings in different contexts:
Details of instances of tanazzalat
There are 7 instances of tanazzalat in the verb form IV in the Quran meaning “to descend” found in 7 verses across 5 surahs are detailed out below:
[19:64] And we (angels) do not descend except by command of your (Muhammad) Lord (wa-maa-natanazzalu illaa bi-amri rabbika). To Him belongs what is before of us, and what is behind of us, and what is between that. And your (Muhammad) Lord has not been forgetful (of you).
[26:210] And the devils have not descended with it (Quran) (wa-maa-tanazzalat al-shayaateenu).
[26:221] Do I (God) inform you upon whom the devils descend (hal unabbi’ukum `alaa man tanazzalu al-shayaateenu)?
[26:222] They (devils) descend upon every sinful liar (tanazzalu `alaa kulli affaakin atheemin).
[41:30] Indeed, those who said, “Our Lord is God,” then they have been straight (to the path established by Him), the angels descend upon them (thumma is’taqaamuu tatanazzalu `alayhimu al-malaaikatu) that you do not fear, nor do you grieve, and you shall have a good news of the Paradise, which you are promised.
[65:12] God is One who has created seven heavens and of the earth like of them. The command descends between them (yatanazzalu al-amru baynahunna) that you may know that God has power over everything, and that God has encompassed in knowledge of everything.
[97:4] The angels and the Spirit (Gabriel) descend in it (a night of the Power) (tanazzalu al-malaaikatu wal-ruuhu feehaa), by permission of their Lord with every command.
Note: This verse refers to the night mentioned at (97:1) to be a Night of the Power when the whole Quran was inspired to the prophet’s soul confirming the participation of the angels and the Gabriel in completion of the night long event, but the descent of the angels and the Gabriel every year by permission of God is a misinterpretation being a historical event that took place once in the past.
Details of instances of tanzeel
There are 15 instances of tanzeel in the verbal noun form in the Quran meaning “revelation” found in 15 verses across 14 surahs are detailed out below:
[17:106] And Quran we have divided it that you (Muhammad) can recite it to the people over a period of time, and we have sent down it a gradual sending down (wa-nazzalnaahu tanzeelan).
[20:4] A revelation from One who has created the earth and the high heavens (tanzeelan mimman khalaqa al-ardi wal-samaawaati al-`ulaa).
[25:25] And a day the heaven will break apart with the clouds, and the angels have been sent down in succession (wa-nuzzila al-malaaikatu tanzeelan).
[26:192] And indeed, it (Quran) is surely a revelation from Lord of the worlds (wa-innahu la’tanzeelu min rabbi al-`aalameena).
[32:2] A revelation of the scripture (tanzeelu al-kitaabi), there is no doubt in it from Lord of the worlds.
[36:5] A revelation of the Almighty, the Merciful (tanzeela al-`azeezi al-raheemi).
[39:1] A revelation of the scripture is from God, the Almighty, the Wise (tanzeelu al-kitaabi mina allahi al-`azeezi al-hakeemi).
[40:2] A revelation of the scripture is from God, the Almighty, the Knower (tanzeelu al-kitaabi mina allahi al-`azeezi al-`aleemi).
[41:2] A revelation from the Gracious, the Merciful (tanzeelun mina al-rahmaani al-raheemi).
[41:42] The falsehood cannot come to it (Quran) before of it, nor behind of it; a revelation from Wise, Praiseworthy (tanzeelun min hakeemin hameedin).
[45:2] A revelation of the scripture is from God, the Almighty, the Wise (tanzeelu al-kitaabi mina allahi al-`azeezi al-hakeemi).
[46:2] A revelation of the scripture is from God, the Almighty, the Wise (tanzeelu al-kitaabi mina allahi al-`azeezi al-hakeemi).
[56:80] A revelation from Lord of the worlds (tanzeelu min rabbi al-`aalameena).
[69:43] A revelation from Lord of the worlds (tanzeelu min rabbi al-`aalameena).
[76:23] Indeed, we have sent down to you (Muhammad) the Quran is a revelation (innaa nahnu nazzalnaa `alayka al-qur’aana tanzeelan).
Details of instance of nazlat
There is 1 instance of nazlat in the noun form in the Quran meaning “descent” found in 1 verse in surah al-Najm (The Star) is detailed out below:
[53:13] And he (Muhammad) has seen him in another descent (of God) (wa-laqad raa-ahu nazlatan ukh’raa).
Note: This verse refers to the event of the inspiration of the whole Quran into prophet’s soul by God Himself near a Lote Tree at the ultimate point (53:14) moving down His Throne from the Horizon of the High (53:7), while God had come down to the earth once before to speak to Moses (4:164, 7:143).
Details of instance of munazzil
There is 1 instance of munazzil in the active participle form in the Quran meaning “sender” found in 1 verse in surah al-Maaidah (The Feast) is detailed out below:
[5:115] God said, “Indeed, I am a Sender of it to you (disciples of Jesus) (inni-i munazziluhaa `alaykum), so whoever disbelieves among you after, then indeed, I will punish him a punishment I do not punish anyone among the people of the world.”
Note: When the disciples of Jesus wanted to have a feast from his Lord from the heaven to believe in Him, then God had sent down it and warned a severe punishment for the disbelievers after that.
Details of instance of munazzal
There is 1 instance of munazzal in the passive participle form in the Quran meaning “send one” found in 1 verse in surah al-An’`aam (The Livestock) is detailed out below:
[6:114] Is there then other than God should I seek as judge, while He is the One who has sent down to you the scripture is a detailed one? And those whom we have given them the scripture know that it is a sent down from your Lord with the truth (ya`lamuuna annahu munazzalun min rabbikum bil-haqqi); so, do not be among the doubters.
Note: God has sent down the detailed scripture confirming us that it is a sent down from our Lord with the truth, then we should not seek any judge other than Him being doubtful in it accepting anything from any other sources to make us losers in the Hereafter.
Details of instances of munzileen
There are 5 instances of munzileen in the active participle form in the Quran meaning “sender” found in 5 verses across 5 surahs are detailed out below:
[12:59] And when he had furnished them with their provisions, he (Joseph) said, “Bring to me with a brother of yours from your father. Do you not see that I can give the full measure, and that I am a best provider (a-laa tarawna anni-i uufee al-kayla wa-annaa khayru al-munzileena)?
[23:29] And say, “My (Noah) Lord, send down me on a blessed landing place, and You are the best Sender (wa-anta khayru al-munzileena).”
[36:28] And we have not sent down upon his people after him any soldiers from the heaven, and we have not been senders (wa-maa kunnaa munzileena).
[56:69] Have you sent down it (rain) from the clouds, or we are the senders (am nahnu al-munziluuna)?
Details of instances of munzal
There are 2 instances of munzal in the passive participle form in the Quran meaning “send one” found in 2 verses across 2 surahs are detailed out below:
[3:124] When you (Muhammad) say the believers, “Does it not suffice you that your Lord strengthens you with three thousand sent down ones from the angels (a-lan yakfiyakum an yumiddakum rabbukum bi-thalaathati aalaafin mina al-malaaikati munzaleena)?”
[23:29] And say, “My (Noah) Lord, send down me on a blessed landing place (rabbi anzil’nee munzalan mubaarakan), and You are the best Sender.”
In brief, details from 32 instances in different grammatical forms related to nazala, nazzala or anzala found in 32 verses across 29 surahs in the Quran confirm that the Quran is a revelation from God, Creator of the heavens and earth, Lord of the worlds, the Almighty, the Merciful, the Wise, the Knower, the Gracious and the Praiseworthy, and He has inspired the Quran into prophet’s soul all at once in a Night of the Power when the prophet saw God in another descent, while the prophet recited it to the people over a period of time when the Gabriel descended with piece by piece to release it from his soul to his heart. God has let us know that the angels do not descend except by His permission, and they descend with a good news of Paradise on those who have said that our Lord is God and they have been straight, but the devils descend on every sinful liar. When the disciples of Jesus wanted to have a feast from his Lord from the heaven to believe in Him, then God had sent down it and warned a severe punishment for the disbelievers after that, while God is a Sender of three thousand soldiers from the angels from the heaven to strengthen the believers and also a Sender of rain from the clouds in the sky.
Upon completion of 283 instances it would be critical for us if we can reflect that God has sent down the clarified and detailed scripture with the truth, then we should not seek any judge other than Him to be doubtful in His sent down, while He has sent down the Quran in two methods – by inspiring it into His prophet’s soul all at once and sending down it to him over a period of time to recite it to the people.
Peaceful Friday, salaam and God bless.
Tafazzal (07/28/2023).