Streszczenie
The article analyzes two opposite but related phenomena. First, when two sūras are
treated as one integrated text by Muslim commentators. Second, when the text of a sūra
is styled as two autonomous texts each one with its opening oath formulas and its own
contents. The analyses of these facts show that: 1) all the phenomena studied belong to
the early Meccan period and are concentrated in the last section of the Qur’ānic text
traditionally called Al-Mufassal; 2) the borders between the sūras were not absolute and
invulnerable as different alternative decisions were rather freely discussed by Muslim
scholars, and this gives us an insight in the process of the compilation of the Qur’ānic
text; 3) The compilation of the sūras and the compilation of the book were not two
successive steps, as is commonly believed, but – at least in some cases – a simultaneous
process where decisions were taken at the same time about the number and contents of
sūras and of their place in the book.