Obrazy na stronie
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as to this matter, and had no sure knowledge thereof, but followed only an uncertain opinion. They did not really kill him; but GOD took him up unto himself: and GOD is mighty and wise. And there shall not be one of those who have received the scriptures, who shall not believe in him, before his death; P and on the day of resurrection he shall be a witness against them. Because of the iniquity of those who Judaize, we have forbidden them good things, which had been formerly allowed them; and because they shut out many from the way of GOD, and have taken usury, which was forbidden them by the law, and devoured men's substance vainly we have prepared for such of them as are unbelievers a painful punishment. But those among them who are well grounded in knowledge, and the faithful, who believe in that which hath been sent down unto thee, and that which hath been sent down unto the prophets before thee, and who observe the stated times of prayer, and give alms, and believe in GOD and the last day unto these will we give a great reward. Verily we have revealed our will unto thee, as we have revealed it unto Noah and the prophets who succeeded him; and as we revealed it unto Abraham, and Ismael, and Isaac, and Jacob, and the tribes, and unto Jesus, and Job, and Jonas, and Aaron, and Solomon; and we have given thee the Koran, as we gave the psalms unto David: some apostles have we sent, whom we have formerly mentioned unto thee; and other apostles have we sent, whom we have not mentioned unto thee; and GoD spake unto Moses, discoursing with him; apostles declaring good tidings, and denouncing threats, lest men should have an argument of excuse against GOD, after the apostles had been sent unto them; GOD is mighty and wise. GOD is witness of that revelation which he hath sent down unto thee; he sent it down with his special knowledge: the angels also are witnesses thereof; but God is a sufficient witness. They who believe not, and turn aside others from the

imposition; some said he was taken up into heaven; and others, that his manhood only suffered, and that his godhead ascended into heaven."

This passage is expounded two ways:

Some, referring the relative his, to the first antecedent, take the meaning to be, that no Jew or Christian shall die before he believes in Jesus; for they say that when one of either of those religions is ready to breathe his last, and sees the angel of death before him, he shall then believe in that prophet as he ought, though his faith will not then be of any avail. According to a tradition of Hejaj, when a Jew is expiring, the angels will strike him on the back and face, and say unto him, O thou enemy of God, Jesus was sent as a prophet unto thee, and thou didst not believe in him; to which he will answer, I now believe him to be the servant of God; and to a dying Christian they will say, Jesus was sent as a prophet unto thee, and thou hast imagined him to be God, or the Son of God; whereupon he will believe him to be the servant of God only, and his apostle.

Others, taking the above-mentioned relative to refer to Jesus, suppose the intent of the passage to be, that all Jews and Christians in general shall have a right faith in that prophet before his death; that is, when he descends from heaven and returns into the world, where he is to kill Antichrist, and to establish the Mohammedan religion, and a most perfect tranquillity and security on earth.8

i. e. Against the Jews for rejecting him; and against the Christians, for calling him God, and the Son of God.'

* See chap. iii. p 42, and 47, and the notes there.

'As Abdallah Ebn Salâm, and his companions.1

Al Beidawi.

9 Jallalo'ddin, Yahya, Al Zamakhshari, and Al Beidâwi. See

the Prelim. Disc. sect. iv.

• Al Beidawi. 1 Idem.

way of GOD, have erred in a wide mistake. Verily those who believe not, and act unjustly, GOD will by no means forgive, neither will he direct them into any other way than the way of hell; they shall remain therein for ever: and this is easy with GOD. O men, now is the apostle come unto you, with truth from your LORD; believe therefore, it will be better for you. But if ye disbelieve, verily unto GOD belongeth whatsoever is in heaven and on earth; and GOD is knowing and wise. O ye who have received the scriptures, exceed not the just bounds in your religion, neither say of GOD any other than the truth. Verily Christ Jesus the son of Mary is the apostle of GOD, and his Word, which he conveyed into Mary, and a spirit proceeding from him. Believe therefore in GOD, and his apostles, and say not, There are three Gods;" forbear this; it will be better for you. GOD is but one GOD. Far be it from him that he should have a son! unto him belongeth whatever is in heaven and on earth; and GOD is a sufficient protector.* Christ doth not proudly disdain to be a servant unto GOD; neither the angels who approach near to his presence: and whoso disdaineth his service, and is puffed up with pride, God will gather them all to himself, on the last day. Unto those who believe, and do that which is right, he shall give their rewards, and shall superabundantly add unto them of his liberality but those who are disdainful and proud, he will punish with a grievous punishment; and they shall not find any to protect or to help them, besides GOD. O men, now is an evident proof come unto you from your LORD, and we have sent down unto you manifest light. They who believe in God and firmly adhere to him, he will lead them into mercy from him and abundance; and he will direct them in the right way to himself. They will consult thee for thy decision in certain cases; say unto them, GOD giveth you these determinations, concerning the more remote degrees of kindred. If a man die without issue, and have a sister, she shall have the half of what he shall leave: and he shall be heir to her, in case she have no issue. But if there be two sisters they shall have between them two-third parts of what he shall leave; and if there be several, both brothers and sisters, a male shall have as much as the portion of two females. GOD declareth unto you these precepts, lest ye err: and God knoweth all things.

Either by rejecting and contemning of Jesus, as the Jews do; or raising him to an equality with God, as do the Christians."

Namely, God, Jesus, and Mary. For the eastern writers mention a sect of Christians which held the Trinity to be composed of those three; but it is allowed that this heresy has been long since extinct. The passage, however, is equally levelled against the Holy Trinity, according to the doctrine of the orthodox Christians, who, as Al Beidâwi acknowledges, believe the divine nature to consist of three persons, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost; by the Father, understanding God's essence; by the Son, his knowledge; and by the Holy Ghost, his life.

"Far from having a son, he governeth alone the heaven and the earth. He is sufficient unto himself."-Savary.

That is, Mohammed and his Korân.

▾ Viz. Into the religion of Islâm, in this world, and the way to paradise in the Dext.6

See the beginning of this chapter, pp. 60, 61.

And the other half will go to the public treasury.
That is, he shall inherit her whole substance.

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CHAPTER V.

INTITLED, THE TABLE; REVEALED AT MEDINA.

IN THE NAME OF THE MOST MERCIFUL GOD.

O TRUE believers, perform your contracts. Ye are allowed to eat the brute cattle, other than what ye are commanded to abstain from; except the game which ye are allowed at other times, but not while ye are on pilgrimage to Mecca; GOD ordaineth that which he pleaseth. O true believers, violate not the holy rites of GOD, nor the sacred month,' nor the offering, nor the ornaments hung thereon, nor those who are travelling to the holy house, seeking favour from their LORD, and to please him. But when ye shall have finished your pilgrimage; then hunt. And let not the malice of some, in that they hindered you from entering the sacred temple, provoke you to transgress, by taking revenge on them in the sacred months. Assist one another according to justice and piety, but assist not one another in injustice and malice: therefore fear GOD; for GOD is severe in punishing. Ye are forbidden to eat that which dieth of itself, and blood, and swine's flesh, and that on which the name of any besides God hath been invocated;' and that which hath been strangled, or killed by a blow, or by a fall, or by the horns of another beast, and that which hath been eaten by a wild beast, except what ye shall kill yourselves,' and that which hath been sacrificed unto idols." It is likewise unlawful for you to make division by casting lots with arrows." This is an impiety. On this day, woe be unto those who have apostatized from their religion; therefore fear not them, but fear me. This day have I perfected your religion for you, and have

• This title is taken from the Table, which, towards the end of the chapter, is fabled to have been let down from heaven to Jesus. It is sometimes also called the chapter of Contracts, which word occurs in the first verse.

As camels, oxen, and sheep; and also wild cows, antelopes, &c. : but not swine. nor what is taken in hunting during the pilgrimage.

• The ceremonies used in the pilgrimage of Mecca.

f See the Prelim. Disc. sect. vii.

The offering here meant is the sheep led to Mecca, to be there sacrificed; about the neck of which they use to hang garlands, green boughs, or some other ornament, that it may be distinguished as a thing sacred.8

In the expedition of Al Hodeibiya."

For the idolatrous Arabs used, in killing any animal for food, to consecrate it, as it were, to their idols, by saying, In the name of Allât, or al Uzza.1

*Or by a creature trained up to hunting."

1That is, unless ye come up time enough to find life in the animal, and to cut its throat.

The word also signifies certain stones, which the pagan Arabs used to set up near their houses, and on which they superstitiously slew animals, in honour of their gods.

See the Prelim. Disc. sect. v.

This passage, it is said, was revealed on Friday evening, being the day of the pilgrims visiting mount Arafat, the last time Mohammed visited the temple of Mecca, therefore called the pilgrimage of valediction.

› And therefore the commentators say that after this time no positive or negative precept was given."

1 See

7 Jallalo'ddin, Al Beidâwi. 8 See the Prelim. Disc. sect. iv. Ibid. sect. ii. ch. ii. p. 20. Al Beidâwi. 3 Idem. 1 Idem. See Prid. Life of Moham. p. 99.

3 Vide Abulfed. Vit. Moham, p. 131.

q

completed my mercy upon you; and I have chosen for you Islam, to be
your religion. But whosoever shall be driven by necessity through hunger,
to eat of what we have forbidden, not designing to sin, surely GOD will be in-
dulgent and merciful unto him. They will ask thee what is allowed them
as lawful to eat? Answer, Such things as are good are allowed you: and
what ye shall teach animals of prey to catch," training them up for hunting
after the manner of dogs, and teaching them according to the skill which
GOD hath taught you. Eat therefore of that which they shall catch for you;
and commemorate the name of GOD thereon; and fear GOD, for God is
swift in taking an account. This day are ye allowed to eat such things as
are good, and the food of those to whom the scriptures were given" is also
allowed as lawful unto you; and your food is allowed as lawful unto them.
And ye are also allowed to marry free women that are believers, and also
free women of those who have received the scriptures before you, when ye
shall have assigned them their dower; living chastely with them, neither
committing fornication, nor taking them for concubines. Whoever shall
renounce the faith, his work shall be vain, and in the next life he shall be
of those who perish. O true believers, when ye prepare yourselves to pray,
wash your faces, and your hands unto the elbows; and rub your heads, and
your feet unto the ankles; and if ye be polluted by having lain with a
woman, wash yourselves all over. But if ye be sick, or on a journey, or any
of you cometh from the privy, or if ye have touched women, and ye find no
water, take fine clean sand, and rub your faces and your hands therewith;
GOD would not put a difficulty upon you; but he desireth to purify you,
and to complete his favour upon you, that ye may give thanks. Remem-
ber the favour of GOD towards you, and his covenant which he hath made
with
you, when ye said, We have heard, and will obey. Therefore fear
GOD, for GOD knoweth the innermost parts of the breasts of men.
true believers, observe justice when ye appear as witnesses before GOD,
and let not hatred towards any induce you to do wrong: but act justly;
this will approach nearer unto piety;* and fear GOD, for God is fully
acquainted with what ye do. GOD hath promised unto those who be-
lieve, and do that which is right, that they shall receive pardon and a great
reward. But they who believe not, and accuse our signs of falsehood, they
shall be the companions of hell. O true believers, remember God's favour
towards you, when certain men designed to stretch forth their hands against

By having given you a true and perfect religion; or, by the taking of Mecca, and the destruction of idolatry.

Not such as are filthy, or unwholesome.

• Whether beasts or birds.

Either when ye let go the hound, hawk, or other animal, after the game, or when ye kill it

a Viz., slain or dressed by Jews or Christians.

These words are the form used at the inauguration of a prince; and Mohammed here intends the oath of fidelity which his followers had taken to him at al

Akaba.

"Justice is the sister of piety."-Savary.

• Vide Abulfed. Vit. Moham. p. 43, and the Prelim. Disc. sect. ii.

AL

you, but he restrained their hands from hurting you; therefore fear GOD, and in GoD let the faithful trust. GOD formerly accepted the covenant of the children of Israel, and we appointed out of them twelve leaders: and GOD said, Verily I am with you: if ye observe prayer, and give alms, and believe in my apostles, and assist them, and lend unto God on good usury,** I will surely expiate your evil deeds from you, and I will lead you into gardens, wherein rivers flow: but he among you who disbelieveth after this, erreth from the straight path. Wherefore because they have broken their covenant, we have cursed them, and hardened their hearts; they dislocate the words of the Pentateuch from their places, and have forgotten part of what they were admonished; and thou wilt not cease to discover deceitful practices among them, except a few of them. But forgive them, b and pardon them, for God loveth the beneficent. And from those who say, We are Christians, we have received their covenant; but they have forgotten part of what they were admonished; wherefore we have raised up enmity and hatred among them, till the day of resurrection; and GOD will then surely declare unto them what they have been doing. O ye who have received the scriptures, now is our apostle come unto you, to make manifest unto you many things which ye concealed in the scriptures;

The commentators tell several stories as the occasion of this passage. One says, that Mohammed and some of his followers being at Osfân, (a place not far from Mecca, in the way to Medina,) and performing their noon devotions, a company of idolaters, who were in view, repented they had not taken that opportunity of attacking them, and therefore waited till the hour of evening prayer, intending to fall upon them then but God defeated their design, by revealing the verse of fear. Another relates, that the prophet going to the tribe of Koreidha (who were Jews) to levy a fine for the blood of two Moslems, who had been killed by mistake, by Amru Ebn Ommeya al Dimri, they desired him to sit down and eat with them, and they would pay the fine: Mohammed complying with their request, while he was sitting, they laid a design against his life, one Amru Ebn Jahâsh undertaking to throw a millstone upon him; but God withheld his hand, and Gabriel immediately descended to acquaint the prophet with their treachery, upon which he rose up and went bis way. A third story is, that Mohammed having hung up his arms on a tree, under which he was resting himself, and his companions being dispersed some distance from him, an Arab of the desert came up to him, and drew his sword, saying, Who hindereth me from killing thee? to which Mohammed answered, God: and Gabriel beating the sword out of the Arab's hand, Mohammed took it up, and asked him the same question, Who hinders me from killing thee? the Arab replied, Nobody; and immediately professed Mohammedism.7 Abûlfeda tells the same story, with some variation of circumstances.

After the Israelites had escaped from Pharaoh, God ordered them to go against Jericho, which was then inhabited by giants, of the race of the Canaanites, promising to give it into their hands; and Moses, by the divine direction, appointed a princo or captain over each tribe, to lead them in that expedition," and when they came to the borders of the land of Canaan, sent the captains as spies to get information of the state of the country, enjoining them secresy; but they being terrified at the prodigious size and strength of the inhabitants, disheartened the people by publicly telling what they had seen, except only Caleb the son of Yufanna (Jephunneh) and Joshua the son of Nun.1

• By contributing towards this holy war.

"Employ your riches in the defence of the holy religion."-Savary.

That is, if they repent and believe, or submit to pay tribute. Some, however, think these words are abrogated by the verse of the sword."

Such as the verse of stoning adulterers, the description of Mohammed, and Christ's prophecy of him by the name of Ahmed.*

↑ Al Beidâwi. See Numb. xiii, and xiv.

Vit. Moh. p. 73.
2 Al Beidâwi.

⚫ See Num. i. 4. 5.

'See chap. iii. p. 37.

1 Al Beidawi • Al Beidawi.

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