the Scriptures, unless in the mildest manner; except against such of them as behave injuriously towards you: and say, We believe in the revelation which hath been sent down unto us, and also in that which hath been sent down unto you; our GOD and your GOD is one, and unto him are ve resigned. (46) Thus have we sent down the book of the Qurán unto thee: and they unto whom we have given the former Scriptures believe therein; and of these Arabians also there are who believe therein: and none reject our signs, except the obstinate infidels. (47) Thou couldest not read any book before this; neither couldest thou write it with thy right hand: then had the gainsayers justly doubted of the divine original thereof. (48) But the same is evident signs in the breasts of those who have received understanding: for none reject our signs except the unjust. (49) They say, Unless a sign be sent down unto him from his LORD, we will not believe. Answer, Signs are in the power of GOD alone; and I am no more than a public or passion. This verse is generally supposed to have been abrogated by that of the Sword; though some think it relates only to those who are in alliance with the Muslims."-Sale. See notes on chap. ii. 190-193. And say, We believe, &c. This passage, with that following, shows clearly that Muhammad recognised the authenticity and credibility of the Bible extant in his day. It also shows that he believed his Qurán taught precisely the same truths that were taught by former prophets. See notes on chaps. ii. 40, 90, iv. 135, v. 47–52, 72, and vi. 90. (47) The clear inference from this passage is that Muhammad could write at the time this revelation was rehearsed. Muslims usually understand the passage to declare that Muhammad was unable to write or read at all, and that, for this reason, his Qurán is a miracle. Some, however, according to the Tafsir-i-Raufi, evidently influenced by the words before this, understand that Muhammad, though at first ignorant, was now miraculously enabled to read and write. Others understand this miraculous gift to have been given at the beginning of his ministry. Granting, however, that Muhammad was assisted by amanuenses, as the Quraish believed, his own inability to read and write would be of little account in any attempt to prove the miraculous character of the Qurán. (49) See notes on chaps. ii. 118, 119, and iii. 184, and references there. preacher. (50) Is it not sufficient for them that we have sent down unto thee the book of the Qurán, to be read unto them? Verily herein is a mercy, and an admonition unto people who believe. (51) Say, GOD is a sufficient witness between me and R 2 you: (52) he knoweth whatever is in heaven and earth; and those who believe in vain idols and deny GOD, they shall perish. (53) They will urge thee to hasten the punishment which they defy thee to bring down upon them : if there had not been a determined time for their respite, the punishment had come upon them before this; but it shall surely overtake them suddenly, and they shall not foresee it. (54) They urge thee to bring down vengeance swiftly upon them but hell shall surely encompass the unbelievers. (55) On a certain day their punishment shall suddenly assail them, both from above them and from under their feet; and God shall say, Taste ye the reward of that which ye have wrought. (56) O my servants who have believed, verily my earth is spacious: wherefore serve me. (57) Every soul shall taste death: afterwards shall ye return unto us; (58) and as for those who shall have believed and wrought righteousness, we will surely lodge them in the higher apartments of Paradise; rivers shall flow beneath them, and they shall continue therein for ever. How excellent will be the reward of the workers of righteousness; (59) who persevere with patience and put their trust in their LORD! (60) How many beasts are there which provide not their food? It is GOD who provideth for them and for you; and he both heareth and (53) See chap. vi. 57. (56) My earth is spacious. "That is, if ye cannot serve me in one city or country, fly into another, where ye may profess the true religion in safety; for the earth is wide enough, and ye may easily find places of refuge. Muhammad is said to have declared, that whoever flies for the sake of his religion, though he stir but the distance of a span, merits Paradise, and shall be the companion of Abraham and of himself."-Sale, Baidhawi. (57) Every soul shall taste death. See note on chap. iii. 186. knoweth. (61) Verily, if thou ask the Makkans who hath created the heavens and the earth, and hath obliged the sun and the moon to serve in their courses, they will answer, GOD. How therefore do they lie in acknowledg ing of other gods? (62) GOD maketh abundant provision for such of his servants as he pleaseth; and is sparing unto him if he pleaseth: for GOD knoweth all things. (63) Verily if thou ask them who sendeth rain from heaven, and thereby quickeneth the earth after it hath been dead, they will answer, GOD. Say, GOD be praised! But the greater part of them do not understand. R3 || (64) This present life is no other than a toy and a plaything but the future mansion of Paradise is life indeed: if they knew this they would not prefer the former to the latter. (65) When they sail in a ship, they call upon GOD, sincerely exhibiting unto him the true religion : but when he bringeth them safe to land, behold, they return to their idolatry; (66) to show themselves ungrateful for that which we have bestowed on them, and that they may enjoy the delights of this life; but they shall hereafter know the issue. (67) Do they not see that we have made the territory of Makkah an inviolable and secure asylum, when men are spoiled in the countries round about them? Do they therefore believe in that which is vain, and acknowledge not the goodness of GOD? (68) But who is more unjust than he who deviseth a lie against GOD, or denieth the truth when it hath come unto him? Is there not in hell an abode for the unbelievers? (69) Whoever do their utmost endeavour to promote our true religion, we will direct them into our ways; for GOD is with the righteous. (61-63) Comp. chap. xxiii. 85-89. "And particularly who will make a good, and who will make a bad use of their riches.”—Sale. (64) See note on chap. ii. 25. (67) An inviolable and secure asylum. See note on chap. iii. 97. CHAPTER XXX. ENTITLED SURAT UR RÚM (THE GREEKS). Revealed at Makkah. INTRODUCTION. THIS chapter owes its title to the celebrated prophecy concerning the Greeks contained in the first and following verses. "The Greeks" were the inhabitants of the Constantinopolitan empire, which was, and still is, called Rúm by the Arabs. Excepting the prophecy of the first five verses, there is no other allusion to the Greeks or their empire in this chapter. The remainder of the revelations is made up of a variety of passages, some of which treat of the folly of idolatry, with proofs of God's being and power drawn from his works in nature and providence, while others set forth the doctrine of the resurrection, illustrated by reference to God's revivifying power, seen in the restoration of the earth's verdure after it has been parched and dead. The Prophet's hearers are also called upon to consider that since God is the Creator of all things in heaven and earth, he is able to raise the dead to life again. Closely connected with this is the doctrine of a final judgment, when all men will be divided into two classes, one made up of true believers, who will enter into Paradise and enjoy its pleasures, the other made up of unbelievers, who will be consigned to everlasting torments. The attitude of the Quraish, as seen in this chapter, is that of stolid indifference. Their hardness of heart is spoken of in the following terms:-"Thou" (i.e., Muhammad) "canst not make the dead to hear, neither canst thou make the deaf to hear thy call, when they retire and turn their backs; neither canst thou direct the blind out of error: thou shalt make none to hear, except him who shall believe in our signs" (vers. 51 and 52). And in ver. 58 God is declared to "Now have we propounded unto them in this Qurán parables say, of every kind; yet if thou bring them a verse thereof, the unbelievers will surely say, Ye are no other than publishers of vain falsehoods." The chapter ends with an exhortation to Muhammad to be steadfast and persevering in the faith, assured that the cause of Islám will certainly triumph. Probable Date of the Revelations. The date of the prophecy (vers. 1-5) is placed by various writers in the fifth, fourth, and third year before the Hijra. Sale thinks the sixth year B.H. is the probable date (see note on ver. 1). Noëldeke says, "It is difficult to define which of the numerous defeats the Byzantines suffered till after the Hijra be meant here; particularly as the older Muslim writers, who report these events in a confused and unreliable manner, are not corroborated by reliable Byzantine testimony, at least as far as my researches have extended. The usual statement is, that here that defeat is meant which the Byzantines suffered at Azru'at and Basra, or in Mesopotamia, or in Palestine. The Persian translator of Al Tabarí, which has here all sorts of confused accounts about the dethronement of Maurice (), &c., says the Qurán speaks of the capture of Jerusalem. That an important event is meant, which had happened either in Palestine or its neighbourhood, cannot well be doubted. Whether, however, it was that capture of Jerusalem (about the year 7 or 6 before the Hijra), or a subsequent event, we cannot say for certain." Vers. 16, 17, are thought by some (Umar Bin Muhammad, Al Zamakhshari, Baidháwi) to be Madínic, because they refer to the five daily prayers. These had, however, been appointed shortly before the Hijra. While, therefore, the prophecy in vers. 1-5 may belong to a period as early as B.H. 6 or 7, the remaining portion of the chapter, judged by internal evidence, belongs to a period much later, though the precise time must remain a matter of conjecture. Principal Subjects. A prophecy concerning the ultimate triumph of the Greeks over the Persians VERSES God's power manifest in nature The Quraish heed not the warnings of God The despair of the infidels in the resurrection The righteous and wicked shall be separated on the judgment-day God to be worshipped at stated periods The changes in nature a proof of the resurrection 1-5 6,7 8,9 10-12 13-15 16, 17 18 |