(130) If they turn back, say, GOD is my support; there is no GOD but he. On him do I trust; and he is the LORD of the magnificent throne. want of zeal in the crusade against the infidels. It is notable that he was never grieved at the assassination of Káb and the plunder of the Quraish at Nakhla during the sacred months, or the slaughter of eight hundred helpless prisoners in cold blood. CHAPTER X. ENTITLED SURAT AL YUNAS (JONAH). Revealed at Makkah. INTRODUCTION. THIS chapter is so called on account of the mention of the Prophet Jonah in ver. 98. It is undoubtedly of Makkan origin. There are some, however, who would assign vers. 41 and 94, or vers. 94-97, or 41-109, or even the whole Sura, to Madína. The only ground for such an opinion seems to be the reference made to the Jews in various parts of the chapter, which Jews are supposed to be of Madína. But, granting that the Jews referred to belonged to Madína, it does not follow that the chapter belongs to Madína, for history proves that for some time previous to the Hijra, Muhammad had intercourse with many of the people of Madina, some of whom were no doubt Jews. A tradition tells of Jews going to Makkah to question the Prophet, which, though in great measure apocryphal, must have had some foundation in fact. However this may be, Muhammad's familiarity with Jewish history and tradition shows that he had Jews among his friends and acquaintance. Certainly the matter of this chapter, as well as the style and animus of discourse, points to Makkah. Date of the Revelations. Little can be said as to the date of the revelations. The allusion to the famine in ver. 22 points to a period not far removed from the Hijra; and if what has been said of Muhammad's intercourse with the Jews of Madina be well founded, that fact points to the same period. Principal Subjects. The Makkans charge their Prophet with sorcery because he The Creator and Ruler of the universe the only true God VOL. II. VERSES . 1, 2 3 4 X Unbelievers punished after death VERSES 4 God's works are signs to all men. Rewards and punishments of the faithful and the unbelieving God's purpose in prospering the wicked Men pray to God in affliction, but forget Him with the return . The people of Makkah warned by the example of former generations The Quraish desire a different Qurán-Muhammad protests his inability to alter it. Idolaters trust intercessors who can neither profit nor harm All men originally professed one religion When men despise the judgments of God he threatens Unbelievers remember God in distress by land and sea, but forget Him when delivered Life likened to water which sustains vegetable life their Creator, Preserver, and Governor. The Qurán no forgery; it confirms the former Scriptures Some believe in the Qurán, others reject it The unbelieving Quraish declared to be reprobate 5,6 7-11 12 13 14, 15 16-18 . 32-37 38 39, 40 4I 42-47 The Qurán an admonition and direction to the unbelievers The blessedness of those who believe and fear God Those rebuked who say that God hath begotten children They are rejected as sorcerers and perverters of the national A few of the people only believe on them Pharaoh and his people drowned in the sea. He repents and is raised out of the sea for a sign to the The Israelites are provided with a habitation and blessing ments of the Qurán VERSES 83 84-86 87 88, 89 90 . 90-92 93 No kind of miracle will suffice to make the reprobate believe 96-98 The people of Makkah exhorted to accept the true ortho- . 104-107 The Prophet exhorted to be patient 108 IN THE NAME OF THE MOST MERCIFUL GOD. MUNZIL. R & (1) AL. R. These are the signs of the wise book. THIRD (2) Is it a strange thing unto the men of Makkah, that we have revealed our will unto a man from among them, saying, Denounce threats unto men if they believe not; and bear good tidings unto those who believe, that on the merit of their sincerity they have an interest with their LORD? The unbelievers say, This is manifest sorcery. (3) Verily your LORD is GOD, who hath created the heavens and the earth in six days; and then ascended (1) A. L. R. See Prelim Disc., pp. 100-102. (2) A man from among them. "And not one of the most powerful among them neither; so that the Quraish said it was a wonder God could find out no other messenger than the orphan pupil of Ábu Tálib."-Sale, Baidhawi. This is manifest sorcery. "Meaning the Quran. According to the reading of some copies, the words may be rendered, 'This man (i.e., Muhammad) is no other than a manifest sorcerer.'"-Sale. (3) In six days. See note on chap. vii. 55. his throne, to take on himself the government of all things. There is no intercessor, but by his permission. This is GOD, your LORD; therefore serve him. Will ye not consider? (4) Unto him shall ye all return according to the certain promise of GOD; for he produceth a creature and then causeth it to return again: that he may reward those who believe and do that which is right, with equity. But as for the unbelievers, they shall drink boiling water, and they shall suffer a grievous punishment for that they have disbelieved. (5) It is he who hath ordained the sun to shine by day, and the moon for a light by night; and had appointed her stations, that ye might know the number of years, and the computation of time. GOD hath not created this, but with truth. He explaineth his signs unto people who understand. (6) Moreover in the vicissitudes of night and day, and whatever GOD hath created in heaven and earth, are surely signs unto men who fear him. (7) Verily they who hope not to meet us at the last day, and delight in this present life, and rest securely in the same, and who are negligent of our signs: (8) their dwelling shall be hell-fire, for that which they have deserved. (9) But as to those who believe, and work righteousness, their LORD will direct them because of their faith; they shall have rivers flowing through gardens of pleasure. (10) Their prayer therein shall be Praise be unto thee, O GOD! and their salutation therein shall be Peace! (11) No intercessor, but &c. "These words were revealed to refute the foolish opinion of the idolatrous Makkans, who imagined their idols were intercessors with God for them."-Sale. See notes on chap. ii. 47, 123, 254; vi. 50. (4) Boiling water. See chap. ii. 38. (5) But with truth, i.e., to manifest the truth of the Divine unity. The Makkan preacher here sets forth God the Creator as the true object of worship. (7) Who hope not to meet us, i.e., the Quraish, who strenuously denied the doctrine of bodily resurrection. (9) Believe and work righteousness. See note on chap. ii. 25, 223; and chap. iii. 15. (10) Their salutation. "Either the mutual salutation of the blessed to one another, or that of the angels to the blessed.”—Sale. |