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ing and evening. Say, Who is the LORD of heaven and earth? Answer GOD. Say, Have: ye, therefore, taken unto yourselves protectors beside him, who are unable either to help, or to defend themselves from hurt? Sa", Shall the blind and the seeing be esteemed equal? or shall darkness and light be accounted the same? or have they attributed companions unto GOD who have created as he hath created, so that their creation bear any resemblance unto his? Say, GoD is the creator of all things; he is the one, the victorious God. He causeth water to descend from heaven, and the brooks flow according to their respective measure, and the floods bear the floating froth: and from the metals which they melt in the fire, seeking to cast ornaments or vessels for use, there ariseth a scum like unto it. Thus GoD setteth forth truth and vanity. But the scum is thrown off and that which is useful to mankind remaineth on the earth. Thus doth GOD put forth parables. Unto those who obey their LORD shall be given the most excellent reward: but those who obey him not, although they were possessed of whatever is in the whole earth and as much more, they would give it all for their ransom. These will be brought to a terrible account their abode shall be hell; an unhappy couch shall it be! Shall he, therefore, who knoweth that what hath been sent down unto thee from thy LORD, is truth, be rewarded as he who is blind? The prudent only will consider; who fulfil the covenant of GOD, and break not their con tract; and who join that which God hath commanded to be joined, and who fear their LORD, and dread an ill account; and who persevere out of a sincere desire to please their LORD, and observe the stated times of prayer, and give alms out of what we have bestowed on them, in secret and openly, and who turn away evil with good: the reward of these shall be paradise, gardens of eternal abode, which they shall enter, and also whoever shall have acted uprightly, of their fathers, and their wives, and their posterity: and the angels shall go in unto them by every gate, saying, Peace be upon you, because ye have endured with patience; how excellent a reward is paradise! But as for those who violate the covenant of God, after the establishment thereof, and who cut in sunder that which God hath commanded to be joined, and act corruptly in the earth, on them shall a curse fall, and they shall have a miserable dwelling in hell. God giveth provision in abundance unto whom he pleaseth, and is sparing unto whom he pleaseth Those of Mecca rejoice in the present life; although the present life, in respect of the future, is but a precarious provision. The infidels say, Unless a sign be sent down unto him from his LORD, we will not believe. Answer, Verily GOD will lead into error whom he pleaseth, and will direct

This is an allusion to the increasing and diminishing of the shadows, according to the height of the sun; so that when they are the longest, which is in the morning and the evening, they appear prostrate on the ground, in the posture of adoration.

By believing in all the prophets without exception, and joining thereto the continua! practice of their duty, both towards God and man.'

'Literally gardens of Eden. See chap. 9, p. 157.

• Al Beidâwi, Jallalo'ddin. Yahya.

unto himself him who repenteth, and those who believe, and whose hearts rest securely in the meditation of God; shall not men's hearts rest securely in the meditation of GOD? They who believe and do that which is right shall enjoy blessedness, and partake of a happy resurrection. Thus have we sent thee to a nation which other nations have preceded, unto whom prophets have likewise been sent, that thou mayest rehearse unto them that which we have revealed unto thee, even while they believe not in the merciful God. Say unto them, He is my LORD; there is no God but he : in him do I trust, and unto him must I return. Though a Korân were revealed by which mountains should be removed, or the earth cleaved in sunder, or the dead be caused to speak," it would be in vain. But the matter belongeth wholly unto God. Do not, therefore, the believers know, that if God pleased, he would certainly direct all men? Adversity shall not cease to afflict the unbelievers for that which they have committed, or to sit down near their habitations,' until God's promise come; for God is not contrary to the promise. Apostles before thee have been laughed to scorn; and I permitted the infidels to enjoy a long and happy life: but afterwards I punished them; and how severe was the punishment which I inflicted on them! Who is it, therefore, that standeth over every soul, to observe that which it committeth? They attribute companions unto God. Say, Name them: will ye declare unto him that which he knoweth not in the earth?* or will ye name them in outward speech only? But the deceit. ful procedure of the infidels was prepared for them; and they are turned aside from the right path: for he whom God shall cause to err, shall have no director. They shall suffer a punishment in this life; but the punishment of the next shall be more grievous: and there shall be none to protect them against GOD. This is the description of paradise, which is promised to the pious. It is watered by rivers; its food is perpetual, and its shade also this shall be the reward of those who fear God. But the reward of the infidels shall be hell fire. Those to whom we have given the scriptures,

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These are miracles which the Koreish required of Mohammed; demanding that he would by the power of his Korân, either remove the mountains from about Mecca, that they might have delicious gardens in their room; or that he would oblige the wind to transport them with their merchandize to Syria (according to which tradition the words here translated, or the earth cleaved in sunder, should be rendered, or the earth be travelled over in an instant); or else raise to life Kosia Ebn Kelâb, and others of their ancestors, to bear witness to him.

It is supposed by some, that these words are spoken to Mohammed, and then they must be translated in the second person, Nor shalt thou cease to sit down, &c. For they say this verse relates to the idolaters of Mecca; who were afflicted with a series of mis fortunes for their ill-usage of their prophet, and were also continually annoyed and harassed by his parties, which frequently plundered their caravans and drove off their cattle; himself sitting down with his whole army near the city in the expedition of Al Hodeibiya.' i. e. Till death and the day of judgment overtake them; or, according to the exposition in the preceding note, until the taking of Mecca.2

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"Say to them, Name your divinities. Can ye teach God any thing which he knoweth not? Or are the names which ye have created only an idle sound?"-Savary.

That is, calling them the companions of God, without being able to assign any reason, or give any proof why they deserve to be sharers in the honour and worship due from mankind to him.'

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rejoice at what hath been revealed unto thee. Yet there are some of the confederates who deny part thereof. Say unto them, Verily I am commanded to worship God alone; and to give him no companion: upon him do I call, and unto him shall I return. To this purpose have we sent down the Korán a rule of judgment, in the Arabic language. And verily, if thou follow their desires, after the knowledge which hath been given thee, there shall be none to defend or protect thee against GOD. We have formerly sent apostles before thee, and bestowed on them wives and children; and no apostle had the power to come with a sign, unless by the permission of GOD. Every age hath its book of revelation: GoD shall abolish and shall confirm what he pleaseth. With him is the original of the book. Moreover, whether we cause thee to see any part of that punishment wherewith we have threat. ened them, or whether we cause thee to die before it be inflicted on them, verily unto thee belongeth preaching only, but unto us inquisition. Do they not see that we come into their land, and straiten the borders thereof, by the conquests of the true belicvers? When GOD judgeth, there is none to reverse his judgment: and he will be swift in taking an account. Their predecessors formerly devised subtle plots against their prophets; but GOD .§ master of every subtle device. He knoweth that which every soul deserveth : and the infidels shall surely know, whose will be the reward of paradise. The unbelievers will say, Thou art not sent of God. Answer, God is a sufficient witness between me and you, and he who understandeth the scriptures.

CHAPTER XIV.

INTITLED, ABRAHAM; REVEALED AT MECCA.

IN THE NAME OF THE MOST MERCIFUL GOD.

AL. R. This book have we sent down unto thee, that thou mayest lead men forth from darkness into light, by the permission of their LORD, into

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vis The first proselytes to Mohammedism from Judaism and Christianity; or the Jews and Christians in general, who were pleased to find the Korân so consonant to their own scriptures.*

That is, such of them as had entered into a confederacy to oppose Mohammed; as did Caab Ebn al Ashraf, and the Jews who followed him, and al Seyid al Najrâni, al Akib, and several other Christians; who denied such parts of the Koran as contradicted their corrupt doctrines and traditions."

As we have on thee. This passage was revealed in answer to the reproaches which were cast on Mohammed, on account of the great number of his wives. For the Jews said, That if he was a true prophet, his care and attention would be employed about something else than women and the getting of children. It may be observed that it is a maxim of the Jews, that nothing is more repugnant to prophecy than carnality."'

Literally, the mother of the book; by which is meant, the preserved table, from which all the written revelations which have been from time to time published to mankird, ac cording to the several dispensations, are transcripts.

The persons intended in this passage, it is said, were the Jewish doctors."

* Mention is made of this patriarch towards the end of the chapter. (After the patri arch's name, Savary's translation adds, Peace be with him.")

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See the Prelim. Disc. sect. iii. p. 42, &c.

See chap. 3, p. 58. Nov. part 2, c. 36, &c.

. Idem.

Jallalo'ddin, Yahya. ' Vide Maimon More

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Al Beidâwi.

the glorious and laudable way. God is he unto whom belongeth whatsoever is in heaven and on earth and woe be to the infidels, because a grievous punishment waiteth them; who love the present life above that which is te come, and turn men aside from the way of GoD, and seek to render it crooked: these are in an error far distant from the truth. We have sent nc apostle but with the language of his people, that he might declare their duty plainly unto them; for GoD causeth to err whom he pleaseth, and directeth whom he pleaseth; and he is the mighty, the wise. We formerly sent Moses with our signs, and commanded him saying, Lead forth thy people from darkness into light, and remind them of the favours of GOD: " verily therein are signs unto every patient and grateful person. And call to mind when Moses said unto his people, Remember the favour of GoD towards you, when he delivered you from the people of Pharaoh: they grievously oppressed you; and they slew your male children, but let your females live: therein was a great trial from your LORD.* And when your LORD declared by the mouth of Moses, saying, If ye be thankful, I will surely increase my favours towards you; but if ye be ungrateful, verily my punishment shall be severe. And Moses said, If ye be ungrateful, and all who are in the earth likewise; verily GoD needeth not your thanks, though he deserveth the highest praise. Hath not the history of the nations your predecessors reached you; namely, of the people of Noah, and of Ad, and of Thamud, and of those who succeeded them; whose number none knoweth except GOD? Their apostles came unto them with evident miracles; but they clapped their hands to their mouths out of indignation, and said, We do not believe the message with which ye pretend to be sent; and we are in a doubt concerning the religion to which ye invite us, as justly to be suspected. Their apostles answered, Is there any doubt concerning God, the creator of heaven and earth? He inviteth you to the true faith that he may forgive you part of your sins, and may respite your punishment, by granting you space to repent, until an appointed time. They answered, Ye are but men, like unto us: ye seek to turn us aside from the gods which our fathers worshipped: wherefore bring us an evident demonstration by some miracle, that ye speak truth. Their apostles replied unto them, We are no other than men like unto you; but God is bountifu! unto such of his servants as he pleaseth: and it is not in our power to give

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That so they might not only perfectly and readily understand those revelations themselves, but might also be able to translate and interpret them unto others."

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Literally the days of God; which may also be translated, the battles of God (the Arabs using the word day to signify a remarkable engagement, as the Italians do giornata, and the French journée), or his wonderful acts manifested in the various success of former uations in their wars.'

⚫ See chap 7, p. 129, &c.

*Your deliverance is a magnificent proof of the divine goodness."-Savary. P See chap. 7, p. 122, &c.

That is, such of them as were committed directly against God, which are immediately rancelled by faith, or embracing Islâm; but not the crimes of injustice, and oppression, which were committed against man; for to obtain remission of these last, besides fanh, tepentance and restitution, according to a man's ability are also necessary.

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you a miraculons demonstration of our mission, unless by the permission of GOD; in GOD therefore let the faithful trust. And what excuse have we to allege, that we should not put our trust in God; since he hath directed us our paths? Wherefore we will certainly suffer with patience the per secution wherewith ye shall afflict us: in GoD therefore let those put their confidence who seek in whom to put their trust. And those who believed not said unto their apostles, We will surely expel you out of our land; or ye shall return unto our religion. And their LORD spake unto them by revelation, saying, We will surely destroy the wicked doers; and we will cause you to dwell in the earth, after them. This shall be granted unto him who shall dread the appearance at my tribunal, and shall fear my threatening. And they asked assistance of God," and every rebellious perverse person failed of success. Hell lieth unseen before him, and he shall have filthy waters given him to drink : he shall sup it up by little and little, and he shall not easily let it pass his throat because of its nauseousness ; death also shall come upon him from every quarter, yet he shall not die; and before him shall there stand prepared a grievous torment. This is the likeness of those who believe not in their LORD. Their works are as ashes, which the wind violently scattereth in a stormy day: they shall not be able to obtain any solid advantage from that which they have wrought. This is an error most distant from truth. Dost thou not see that God hath created the heavens and the earth in wisdom? If he please, he can destroy you, and produce a new creature in your stead: neither will this be difficult with God. And they shall all come forth into the presence of God at the last day and the weak among them shall say unto those who behaved themselves arrogantly,t* Verily we were your followers on earth; will ye not therefore avert from us some part of the divine vengeance? They shall answer, If God had directed us aright, we had certainly directed you." It is equal unto us whether we bear our torments impatiently, or whether we endure them with patience: for we have no way to escape. And Satan shall say, after judgment shall have been given, Verily God promised you a promise of truth: and I also made you a promise; but I deceived you. Yet I had not any power over you to compel you; but I called you only, and ye answered me: wherefore accuse not me, but accuse

The commentators are uncertain whether these were the prophets, who begged assist. ance against their enemies; or the infidels, who called for God's decision between them. selves and them; or both. And some suppose this verse has no connexion with the preceding, but is spoken of the people of Mecca, who begged rain in a great drought with which they were afflicted at the prayer of their prophet, but could not obtain it."

Which will issue from the bodies of the damned, mixed with purulent matter and blood.

ti. e. The more simple and inferior people shall say to their teachers und princes who seduced them to idolatry, and confirmed them in their obstinate infidelity

"All men shall appear before God. The idolaters will say to their leaders, We followed you, cannot you mitigate our punishment ?"-Savary.

"That is, We made the same choice for you as we did for ourselves; and ned ut God oermitted us to fall into error, we had not seduced you.

• Al Beidâwi.

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