Re: Revisiting Abrogation
gupguppy,
When my teacher says he requires 6~7 hours of study each week for all who wish to make an A in the course, I take it as his commandment. Then in later part of the course he says if someone even studies 3~4 hours a week on the subject matter, he can make a good grade, I take that as a commandment too. But the later does not go against the former, it only lowers the bar. One cannot argue that just because 3~4 hours are now enough, one cannot study 6~7 hours. Some students still might need that much studying to make an A as they might be slow, like myself.
Another thing to notice in the commentary I linked to is that it gives the number 20 in the first verse significance, citing that it is the smallest band of men where the rules of war can be applied. This is important because in those tough times, the Meccans would abduct any Muslim hanging around and kill him proclaiming its all part of the war. If we abrogate the verse than you will have to forego this interpretation too.
Anyway, I am still looking for Hadiths that supports abrogation within Quran. If the one you pointed out is the best one out there, than please let me know.