The Qur'an in its context

The revelation of the Qur’an occurred within the broad political, social, intellectual and religious context of Arabia in the seventh century CE, and in particular the context of the Hijaz region, where Mecca and Medina are situated. Understanding the key aspects of this context helps us make connections between the Qur’anic text and the environment in which the text emerged. This includes the spiritual, social, economic, political and legal climate and the associated norms, customs, institutions and values of the region. Social norms, for instance, included those relating to family structure, social hierarchy, taboos and rites of passage, as well as issues of housing, gender relations, diet and distribution of wealth. The importance of all these aspects is supported by the frequency with which the Qur’an refers to them.