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O children of Israel, serve God, my LORD and your LORD; whoever shall give a companion unto God, GoD shall exclude him from paradise, and his habitation shall be hell fire; and the ungodly shall have none to help them. They are certainly infidels, who say, GoD is the third of three:" for there is no God, besides one God; and if they refrain not from what they say, a painful torment shall surely be inflicted on such of them as are unbelievers Will they not therefore be turned unto God, and ask pardon of him? since God is gracious and merciful. Christ the son of Mary is no more than an apostle; other apostles have preceded him; and his mother was a woman of veracity: they both ate food. Behold, how we declare unto them the signs of God's unity; and then behold how they turn aside from the truth. Say unto them, Will ye worship, besides GoD, that which can cause you neither harm nor profit? GoD is he who heareth and seeth. Say, O ye who have received the scriptures, exceed not the just bounds in your religion, by speaking beside the truth; neither follow the desires of people who have heretofore erred, and who have seduced many, and have gone astray from the straight path. Those among the children of Israel who believed not were cursed by the tongue of David, and of Jesus the son of Mary. This befell them because they were rebellious and transgressed: they forbade not one another the wickedness which they committed; and woe unto them for what they committed. Thou shalt see many of them take for their friends those who believe not. Woe unto them for what their souls have sent before them, for that God is incensed against them, and they shall remain in torment for ever. But, if they had believed in GoD, and the prophet, and that which hath been revealed unto him, they had not taken them for their friends; but many of them are evil doers. Thou shalt surely find the most violent of all men in enmity against the trus believers to be the Jews, and the idolaters: and thou shalt surely find those among them to be the most inclinable to entertain friendship for the true believers, who say, We are Christians. This cometh to pass, because there are priests and monks among them; and because they are not elated with pride: *[VII.] and when they hear that which hath been sent down to the apostle read unto them, thou shalt see their eyes overflow with tears, because of the truth which they perceive therein, saying, O Lord, wɩ

See chap. iv. p. 80.

Never pretending to partake of the divine nature, or to be the mother of God.* Being obliged to support their lives by the same means, and being subject to the sam. necessities and infirmities as the rest of mankind, and therefore no gods."

See chap. iv. p. 80. But here the words are principally directed to the Christians. That is, of their prelates and predecessors, who erred in ascribing divinity to Christ before the mission of Mohammed."

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See before. p. 90, note z.

See chap. ii. p. 13, note r.

Having not that high conceit of themselves, as the Jews have; but being humble and well disposed to receive the truth; qualities, says al Beidâwi, which are to be cominendes even in infidels.

The persons directly intended in this passage were, either Ashaina, king of Ethiopia. and several bishops and priests, who being assembled for that purpose, heard Jaafar EbL

'Jallalo'ddin.

Idem, Al Beidâwi.

⚫ lidem

believe; write us down therefore with those who bear witness to the truth and what should hinder us from believing in GoD, and the truth which hath come unto us, and from earnestly desiring that our LORD would intro duce us into paradise with the righteous people? Therefore hath GoD rewarded them, for what they have said, with gardens through which rivers flow; they shall continue therein for ever; and this is the reward of the righteous. But they who believe not, and accuse our signs of falsehood, they shall be the companions of hell. O true believers, forbid not but transgress not, for God

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the good things which God hath allowed you; loveth not the transgressors. And eat of what God hath given you for food that which is lawful and good: and fear GoD, in whom ye believe. GOD will not punish you for an inconsiderate word in your oaths; but he will punish you for what ye solemnly swear with deliberation. And the expiation of such an oath shall be the feeding of ten poor men with such moderate food as ye feed your own families withal; or to clothe them; or to free the neck of a true believer from captivity: but he who shall not find wherewith to perform one of these three things shall fast thee days." This is the expiation of your oaths, when ye swear inadvertently. Therefore keep your oaths. Thus GoD declareth unto you his signs, that ye may give thanks. O true believers, surely wine, and lots, and images,a and divining arrows, are an abomination of the work of Satan; therefore avoid them that ye may prosper. Satan seeketh to sow dissension and hatred among you, by means of wine and lots, and to divert you from remembering

Taleb, who fled to that country in the first flight, read the 29th and 30th, and afterwards the 18th and 19th chapters of the Korân; on hearing of which the king and the rest of the company burst into tears, and confessed what was written therein to be conformable to truth; that prince himself, in particular, becoming a proselyte to Mohammedism: or else thirty, or as others say, seventy persons, sent ambassadors to Mohammed by the same king of Ethiopia, to whom the prophet himself read the 36th chapter, intitled Ý. S. Whereupon they began to weep, saying, How like is this to that which was revealed unto Jesus! and immediately professed themselves Moslems."

These words were revealed, when certain of Mohammed's companions agreed to oblige themselves to continual fasting and watching, and to abstain from women, eating flesh, sleeping on beds, and other lawful enjoyments of life, in imitation of some selfdenying Christians; but this the prophet disapproved, declaring, that he would have no monks in his religion.'

'See chap. ii. p. 26.

The commentators give us the different opinions of the doctors, as to the quantity of food and clothes to be given in this case; which I think scarcely worth transcribing. That is, three days together, says Abu Hanifa. But this is not observed in practice, being neither explicitly commanded in the Korân, nor ordered in the Sonna.

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That is, all inebriating liquors, and games of chance. See the Prelim. Disc. sect. v. and chap. ii. p. 25.

Al Beidâwi and some other commentators expound this of idols; but others, with more probability, of the carved pieces, or men, with which the pagan Arabs played at chess, being little figures of men, elephants, horses, and dromedaries; and this is supposed to be the only thing which Mohammed disliked in that game: for which reason the Sonnites play with plain pieces of wood, or ivory; but the Persians and Indians, who are not so scrupulous, still make use of the carved ones."

• See the Prelim. Disc. sect. v.

'See the Prelim. Disc. sect. ii.

Al Beidâwi, al Thalabi. Vide Abulfed. Vit.

Moh. p. 25, &c. Marrac. Prodr. ad Refut. Alcor. part 1. p. 45.
Jallalo'ddin. Vide Marracc. ubi suo.

Vide Prelim Disc. sect. v.

'Jallalo'ddin, Al Beidâwi.

Al Beidâwi. • Al Beidâwi.

GOD, and from prayer: will ye not therefore abstain from them? Obey God, and obey the apostle, and take heed to yourselves: but if ye turn back, know that the duty of our apostle is only to preach publicly. In those who believe and do good works, it is no sin that they have tasted wine or gaming before they were forbidden; if they fear God, and believe, and do good works, and shall for the future fear God, and believe, and shall persevere to fear him, and to do good; for God loveth those who do good. O true believers, GOD will surely prove you in offering you plenty of game, which ye may take with your hands or your lances, that God may know who feareth him in secret; but whoever transgresseth after this shall suffer a grievous punishment. O true believers, kill no game while ye are on pilgrimage: whosoever among you shall kill any designedly shall restore the like of what he shall have killed,* in domestic animals, according to the determination of two just persons among you, to be brought as an offering to the Caaba; or in atonement thereof shall feed the poor; or instead thereof shall fast, that he may taste the heinousness of his deed. GOD hath forgiven what is past, but whoever returneth to transgress, God will take vengeance on him; for GoD is mighty and able to avenge. It is lawful for you to fish in the sea,' and to eat what ye shall catch, as a provision for you and for those who travel; but it is unlawful for you to hunt by land, while ye are performing the rites of pilgrimage; therefore fear GoD, before whom ye shall be assembled at the last day. God hath appointed the Caaba, the holy house, an establishment" for mankind; and hath ordained the

See the Prelim. Disc. sect. i

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The commentators endeavour to excuse the tautology of this passage, by supposing the threefold repetition of fearing and believing refers either to the three parts of time, past, present, and future, or to the threefold duty of man, towards God, himself, and his neighbour, &c.1

This temptation or trial was at al Hodeibiya, where Mohammed's men, who had attended him thither with an intent to perform a pilgrimage to the Caaba, and had initiated themselves with the usual rites, were surrounded by so great a number of birds and beasts, that they impeded their march; from which unusual accident, some of them concluded that God had allowed them to be taken; but this passage was to convince them of the contrary.

1 Literally while ye are Mohrims, or have actually initiated yourselves as pilgrims, by putting on the garment worn at that solemnity. Hunting and fowling are hereby abso lutely forbidden to persons in this state; though they are allowed to kill certain kinds of

noxious animals."

"He who violateth this prohibition shall be punished as though he had killed a domestic animal."-Savary.

That is, he shall bring an offering to the temple of Mecca, to be slain there and distributed among the poor, of some domestic or tame animal, equal in value to what he shall have killed; as a sheep, for example, in lieu of an antelope, a pigeon for a partridge, &c. And of this value two prudent persons were to be judges. If the offender was not able o do this, he was to give a certain quantity of food to one or more poor men; or if he could not afford that, to fast a proportionable number of days.

This, says Jallalo'ddin, is to be understood of fish that live altogether in the sea, and not of those that live in the sea and on land both, as crabs, &c. The Turks, who are Hanifites, never eat this sort of fish; but the sect of Malec Ebn Ans, and perhaps some others, make no scruple of it.

in See above, note i.

That is, the place where the practice of their religious ceremonies is chief y established;

Al Beidaw1. * Idem, Jallalo'ddin.

o'ddin, Al Beidawi.

See the Prelim. Dis sect. v.

Jalla

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a

sacred month, and the offering, and the ornaments hung thereon. This hath he done that ye might know that God knoweth whatsoever is in heaven and on earth, and that God is omniscient. Know that God is severe in punishing, and that GoD is also ready to forgive, and merciful. The duty of our apostle is to preach only; and God knoweth that which ye discover, and that which ye conceal. Say, Evil and good shall not be equally esteemed of, though the abundance of evil pleaseth thee; therefore fear GoD, O ye of understanding, that ye may be happy. O true believers, nquire not concerning things, which, if they be declared unto you, may give you pain; but if ye ask concerning them when the Korân is sent down, they will be declared unto you: GoD pardoneth you as to these matters; for God is ready to forgive, and gracious. People who have been before you formerly inquired concerning them; and afterwards disbelieved therein. God hath not ordained any thing concerning Bahîra, nor Sâïba, nor Wasila, nor Hâmi; but the unbelievers have invented a lie against God: and the greater part of them do not understand. And when it was said unto them, Come unto that which God hath revealed, and to the apostle; they answered, That religion which we found our fathers to follow is sufficient for us. What, though their fathers knew nothing and were not rightly directed? O true believers, take care of your souls! He who erreth shall not hurt you, while ye are rightly directed:" unto God shall ye all return, and he will tell you that which ye have done. O true believers, let witnesses be taken between you, when death approaches any of you, at the time of making the testament; let there

where those who are under any apprehension of danger may find a sure asylum, and the merchant certain gain, &c.'

Al Beidâwi understands this of the month of Dhu'lhajja, wherein the ceremonies of the pilgrimage are performed; but Jallalo'ddin supposes all the four sacred months are here intended.

See before, p. 81, note g.

See the Prelim. Disc. sect. ii.

For judgment is to be made of things not from their plenty or scarcity, but from their intrinsic good or bad qualities."

The Arabs continually teasing their prophet with questions, which probably he was not always prepared to answer, they are here ordered to wait, till God should think fit to declare his pleasure, by some farther revelation: and, to abate their curiosity, they are told, at the same time, that very likely the answers would not be agreeable to their inclinations. Al Beidâwi says, that when the pilgrimage was first commanded, Sorâka Eba Malec asked Mohammed whether they were obliged to perform it every year? To this question the prophet at first turned a deaf ear; but being asked it a second, and a third time, he at last said, No: but if I had said yes, it would have become a duty, and if it were a duty, ye would not be able to perform it; therefore give me no trouble as to things wherein I give you none: whereupon this passage was revealed.

These were the names given by the pagan Arabs to certain camels or sheep which were turned loose to feed, and exempted from common services, in some particular cases; having their ears slit, or some other mark, that they might be known; and this they did in honour of their gods. Which superstitions are here declared to be no ordinances of God, but the inventions of foolish mer

This was revealed when the infidels reproached those who embraced Mohammedism and renounced their old idolatrv, that by so doing they arraigned the wisdom of their fore. fathers.

Jallalo'ddin, Al Beidâwi. See the Prelim. Disc. sect. v.

See the Prelim. Disc. sect. vii • Al Beidâwi.

'Al Beidâwi.

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be two witnesses, just men, from among you; or two others of a different tribe or faith from yourselves, if ye be journeying in the earth, and the accident of death befall you. Ye shall shut them both up, after the after, noon prayer, and they shall swear by GoD, if ye doubt them, and they shall say, We will not sell our evidence for a bribe, although the person concerned be one who is related to us, neither will we conceal the testimony of God, for then should we certainly be of the number of the wicked. But if it appear that both have been guilty of iniquity, two others shall stand up in their place, of those who have convicted them of falsehood, the two nearest in blood, and they shall swear by God, saying, Verily our testimony is more true than the testimony of these two, neither have we prevaricated; for then should we become of the number of the unjust. This will be easier, that men may give testimony according to the plain intention thereof, or fear lest a different oath be given, after their oath. Therefore fear GOD, and hearken; for GOD directeth not the unjust people. On a certain day ↳ shall GoD assemble the apostles, and shall say unto them, What answer was returned you, when ye preached unto the people to whom ye were sent? They shall answer, We have no knowledge, but thou art the knower of secrets.c When God shall say, O Jesus son of Mary, remember my favour towards thee, and towards thy mother; when I strengthened thee with the

That is, of your kindred, or religion.

b

They who interpret these words of persons of another religion say they are abrogated, and that the testimony of such ought not to be received against a Moslem.'

In case there was any doubt, the witnesses were to be kept apart from company, lest they should be corrupted, till they gave their evidence, which they generally did when the afternoon prayer was over; because that was the time of people's assembling in public, or, say some, because the guardian angels then relieve each other, so that there would be four angels to witness against them if they gave false evidence. But others suppose they might be examined after the hour of any other prayer, when there was a sufficient assembly."

The occasion of the preceding passage is said to have been this. Tamîm al Dâri and Addi Ebn Yazîd, both Christians, took a journey into Syria to trade, in company with Bodeil, the freedman of Amru Ebn al As, who was a Moslem. When they came to Damascus, Bodeil fell sick, and died; having first wrote down a list of his effects on a piece of paper, which he hid in his baggage, without acquainting his companions with it, and desired them only to deliver what he had to his friends of the tribe of Sahm. The survivors however searching among his goods, found a vessel of silver of considerable weight, and inlaid with gold, which they concealed, and on their return delivered the rest to the deceased's relations; who finding the list of Bodeil's writing, demanded the vessel of silver of them, but they denied it; and the affair being brought before Mohammed, these words, viz. O true believers take witnesses, &c., were revealed, and he ordered them to be sworn at the pulpit in the mosque, just as afternoon prayer was over, and on their making oath that they knew nothing of the plate demanded, dismissed them. But afterwards the vessel being found in their hands, the Sahmites, suspecting it was Bodeil's, charged them with it, and they confessed it was his, but insisted that they had bought it of him, and that they had not produced it, because they had no proof of the bargain. Upon this they went again before Mohammed, to whom these words, And if it appear, &c., were revealed; and thereupon Amru Ebn al As and al Motalleb Ebn Abi Refàa, both of the tribe of Sahm, stood up, and were sworn against them; and judgment was given accordingly. That is, on the day of judgment.

That is, We are ignorant whether our proselytes were sincere, or whether they apostatized after our deaths; but thou well knowest not only what answer they gave us. but the secrets of their hearts, and whether they have since continued firm in their religion

or no!

'Al Beidâwi.

* Idem.

* Idem.

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