and a wretched station, (67) and who, when they bestow, are neither profuse nor niggardly, but observe a just medium between these; (68) and who invoke not another god together with the true GOD; neither slay the soul which GOD hath forbidden to be slain, unless for a just cause, and who are not guilty of fornication. But he who shall do this shall meet the reward of his wickedness; (69) his punishment shall be doubled unto him on the day of resurrection, and he shall remain therein covered with ignominy for ever: (70) except him who shall repent and believe, and shall work a righteous work, unto them will GOD change their former evils into good; for GOD is ready to forgive and merciful. (71) And whoever repenteth and doth that which is right, verily he turneth unto GOD with an acceptable conversion. (72) And they who do not bear false witness, and when they pass by vain discourse, pass by the same with decency; (73) and who, when they are admonished by the signs of their LORD, fall not down as if they were deaf and blind, but stand up and are attentive thereto, (74) and who say, O LORD, grant us of our wives and our offspring such as may be the satisfaction of our eyes, and make us patterns unto those who fear thee. (75) These shall be rewarded with the highest apartments in Paradise, because they have persevered with constancy, and they shall meet therein with greeting and salutation; (76) they shall remain in the same for ever; it shall be an excellent abode and a delightful station. (77) Say, My LORD is not solicitous on your account, if ye do not invoke him; ye have already charged his Apostle with imposture, but hereafter shall there be a lasting punishment inflicted on you. (67) See chap. xvii. 29. (70) Change former evils into good. "Blotting out their former rebellion, on their repentance, and confirming and increasing their faith and obedience."-Sale, Baidhawi. (71-76) This passage teaches that salvation is to be attained by repentance and good works. See note on chap. iii. 31. CHAPTER XXVI. ENTITLED SURAT AL SHU'ARÁ (THE POETS). Revealed at Makkah. INTRODUCTION. THIS chapter, like the seventh chapter, is taken up entirely with Muhammad's defence of his prophetic claims against the objections of the Quraish. The character of these objections may be learned from the words put into the mouths of those who rejected the former prophets. Those prophets were called impostors, liars, and madmen by those rejecting them, and we may certainly conclude that these same epithets were applied by the Quraish to Muhammad. Again, the replies attributed to the former prophets reflect the answer of Muhammad to his maligners: that he was a prophet of the true God; that he had no motive to deceive them, inasmuch as he took no reward from his people for his services; that God would visit dire punishment upon them unless they should repent. In the concluding verses we find mention made of certain poets, to which the chapter owes its title. These poets seem to have been a special source of annoyance to Muhammad at this time. It is possible that they were the ringleaders of the opposition to his prophetic pretensions. It does not speak very highly of "the incomparable verses of the Quran" when it is said that several poets were employed by Muhammad to meet the satire of these " rovers through every valley." See note on ver. 228. Probable Date of the Revelations. Some writers, supposing that every reference to Jews points necessarily to Madína, have thought this chapter to be Madínic. But this notion being ill founded, there is nothing left to give countenance to such an opinion. On the other hand, some have thought ver. 214 seq., or at least ver. 214, to be the first verse or portion of the Qurán, but they need not be interpreted to mean more than that Muhammad had received a new command to preach to his near relatives. Vers. 215-219 show that there was already a band of worshippers, who were no doubt true believers. Rodwell, following Noëldeke, fixes the chapter in the seventh year of Muhammad's ministry at Makkah. Judging from the fulness of the stories taken from Old Testament history, the date could not be much earlier, while the absence of any reference to violent persecution precludes our making it later. Some have thought that ver. 224 seq. belong to Madína, but without good reason: the style is decidedly Makkan. Principal Subjects. Muhammad is grieved at the unbelief of the Quraish. VERSES 1, 2 3,4 God will send a grim messenger whom they shall respect : He is sent to Pharaoh and his people . Fearing that he will be called an impostor, Moses asks 5 5-8 9, 10 Pharaoh charges Moses with ingratitude Moses apologises to Pharaoh for killing the Egyptian. The Red Sea is divided by Moses, and Israelites pass The Egyptians are drowned, and become a warning to all unbelievers The story of Abraham : He preaches against idolatry Abraham prays for himself and his father Moses being assured that he will not be put to death II, 12 13-16 17, 18 19, 21 22, 27 28 29-32 33-41 42-47 He warns his people of the vain repentance of idolaters His people accused him of imposture . VERSES 93-102 103, 104 105 Noah takes refuge in God, and is saved in the ark The story of Ád :— They charge God's messengers with imposture Húd claims the prophetic office, and preaches to the They reject his warnings and charge him with im- The unbelieving Adites are destroyed The story of the Thamúdites : They charge the prophets with imposture 123 124-135 136-139 Sálih, declaring himself a prophet, preaches to them They slay the shie-camel, and are destroyed for in- The Sodomites accuse their prophets with imposture . Lot proclaims himself a prophet, and preaches to them 161-166 They call him a madman and a liar, and challenge him to cause the heavens fall on them. They are destroyed in their unbelief The Quran given to Muhammad, through Gabriel, in the The Qurán attested as God's Word by the former Scriptures 196, 197 . 198-203 204 205-207 208-209 God never destroys a people without first warning them True believers to be treated meekly, and unbelievers to be Devils descend on the hearts of unbelievers 210-212 213, 214 215-220 221-223 224-228 228 FIFTH MUNZIL. RUBA. R 1. R & IN THE NAME OF THE MOST MERCIFUL GOD. (1) T. S. M. THESE are the signs of the perspicuous book. (2) Peradventure thou afflictest thyself unto death, lest the Makkans become not believers. (3) If we pleased, we could send down unto them a convincing sign from heaven, unto which their necks would humbly submit. (4) But there cometh unto them no admonition from the Merciful, being newly revealed as occasions require, but they turn aside from the same; (5) and they have charged it with falsehood: but a message shall come unto them, which they shall not laugh to scorn. (6) Do they not behold the earth, how many vegetables we cause to spring up therein, of every noble species? (7) Verily herein is a sign: but the greater part of them do not believe. (8) Verily thy LORD is the mighty, the merciful God. || (9) Remember when thy LORD called Moses, saying, Go to the unjust people, (10) the people of Pharaoh; will they not dread me? (11) Moses answered, O LORD, verily I fear lest they accuse me of falsehood, (12) and lest my breast become straitened, and my tongue be not ready in (1) T. S. M. See Prelim. Disc., p. 101. (2-5) See notes on chap. xxv. 5-10. (6) A sign, viz., that they should worship God alone. |