The Koran Part 142

29 See Sura xvi. 121, p. 209, note.

30 Muhammad insinuates that the claim to be equal with G.o.d could never have been made by Jesus himself, but by his followers, in ignorance of the Scriptures and of his true nature.

31 That is, to call them rabb-a t.i.tle due only to G.o.d.

32 a.s.sembled on Mount Sinai. Compare the Jewish legend, that all the prophets, even those who were not yet born, were present on Mount Sinai, when G.o.d gave the law to Moses. See Shemoth Rabba. Parashah 28, according to which, not only the Prophets but the Rabbis of every generation, were present at the giving of the Law.

33 Becca, place of crowding, i.e. Mecca. This sentence, together with other Suras-the Cave, Mary, Imran, Repentance, T, H, are woven into the Kiswah or covering of the Caaba, which is renewed annually.

34 The Makam Ibrahim (praying place of Abraham) is a small building supported by six pillars about 8 ft. high, four of which are surrounded from top to bottom by a fine iron railing, while they leave the s.p.a.ce between the two hind pillars open; within the railing is a frame about 5 ft. square, said to contain the sacred stone on which Ibrahim stood when he built the Caaba.

Burckhardt. Lieut. Burton (Pilgrimage, iii. 336) says that as the Arab tradition speaks clearly and consistently as to the fact of Abraham having visited Mecca to build the Caaba, it may be considered an open question. Thus also Dr. G. W. Freytag (Einl.).

35 The Koran.

36 Or, they are smitten with. Sale. S'etendra comme une tente. Kas.

37 This probably refers to the battle of Ohod.

38 The Arabic word occurs at verse 13 of horses as known by certain marks. So here these angels would be known by their accoutrements, etc.

39 This and the following verses to 154 were probably revealed shortly after the reverse of Ohod.

40 This verse and x.x.xix. 31 (p.257) were recited at Muhammad's death by Abu Bekr, in order to convince Omar and the other Muslims of the possibility of that event. It has been supposed that these pa.s.sages were invented by Abu Bekr on this occasion, and inserted into the Koran. But this is more than doubtful. See Noldeke, pp. 199-201.

41 That is, return to idolatry. A report had been spread in the battle of Ohod that Muhammad had been slain.

42 Lit. according to a writing (i.e. of G.o.d) definite. The Rabbins also teach (Com. Tract. Rosch. Haschanah) that there are books in which G.o.d has written down the lifetime of every individual. Lit. No soul can die.

43 Lit. and their saying was no other than that they said.

44 To relapse into infidelity. The Koreisch attempted to seduce the Muslims to renounce their faith after the battle of Ohod.

45 The command to abstain from taking the spoils. This disobedience turned the scale of victory against the Muslims.

46 Victory and plunder.

47 Some took to flight, others stood firm, and were not careful of their lives.

48 That is, in confused rout.

49 Muhammad had been accused of having secretly appropriated a portion of the spoil.

50 At Ohod.

51 See Sura [xci.] ii. 149.

52 At Ohod; lit. wound.

53 Lit. that Satan. Said to refer to Noaim, or Abu Sofian, the leader of the Koreisch.

54 This is an answer to the taunt that Muhammad could not distinguish true believers from hypocrites.

55 This was the taunt of the Jews of the tribe of Kainoka, when Muhammad demanded tribute of them in the name of G.o.d.

56 That is, who rejoice in their successful corruptions of their own sacred books, especially the testimony of Moses to Muhammad, and in their own fancied righteousness. Thus some of the commentators.

57 Lit. some of you are from others. These words were occasioned by one of the Prophet's wives having told him that G.o.d often praised the men, but not the women, who had fled their country for the faith. Beidh.

58 Lit. their movements, their comings and goings. Hence, the success of the Meccans in their trading journeys. This may point to the comparative freedom from trade and general independence of the Meccans after the affair at Ohod.

SURA LXI.-BATTLE ARRAY [XCVIII.]

MEDINA.-14 Verses

In the Name of G.o.d, the Compa.s.sionate, the Merciful

ALL that is in the Heavens and all that is on the Earth praiseth G.o.d. He is the Mighty, the Wise!

Believers! why profess ye that which ye practise not?1

Most hateful is it to G.o.d that ye say that which ye do not.

Verily G.o.d loveth those who, as though they were a solid wall, do battle for his cause in serried lines!

And bear in mind when Moses said to his people, "Why grieve ye me, O my people, when ye know that I am G.o.d's apostle unto you?" And when they went astray, G.o.d led their hearts astray; for G.o.d guideth not a perverse people:

And remember when Jesus the son of Mary said, "O children of Israel! of a truth I am G.o.d's apostle to you to confirm the law which was given before me, and to announce an apostle that shall come after me whose name shall be Ahmad!"2 But when he (Ahmad) presented himself with clear proofs of his mission, they said, "This is manifest sorcery!"

But who more impious than he who when called to Islam deviseth a falsehood concerning G.o.d? G.o.d guideth not the wicked!

Fain would they put out the light of G.o.d with their mouths! but though the Infidels hate it, G.o.d will perfect his light.

He it is who hath sent his apostle with guidance and the religion of truth, that, though they hate it who join other G.o.ds with G.o.d, He may make it victorious over every other religion.

O ye who believe! shall I shew you a merchandise that shall deliver you from the sore torment?

Believe in G.o.d and his apostle, and do valiantly in the cause of G.o.d with your wealth and with your persons! This, did ye but know it, will be best for you.

Your sins will He forgive you, and He will bring you into gardens beneath whose shades the rivers flow-into charming abodes in the gardens of Eden: This shall be the great bliss.-

And other things which ye desire will he bestow, Help from G.o.d and speedy conquest!3 Bear thou these tidings to the faithful.

O ye who believe! be helpers (ansars) of G.o.d; as said Jesus the son of Mary to his apostles, "Who will come to the help of G.o.d?" "We," said the apostles, "will be helpers of G.o.d." And a part of the children of Israel believed, and a part believed not. But to those who believed gave we the upperhand over their foes, and soon did they prove victorious.

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1 Addressed to the Muslims who had turned their backs to the enemy at Ohod.