The Koran Part 76

19 See Sura [lx.x.xvii.] vii. 71.

20 See note on v. 1. The tree is Zakkoum, Sura [xlv.] lvi. The Rabbins teach that food of the bitterest herbs is one of the punishments of h.e.l.l. See Schroder's Rabb. und. Talm. Judenthum, p. 403.

21 That is, with all thy might.

22 Zamakshary relates that this pa.s.sage was revealed when the Thaqyfites in framing the doc.u.ment of agreement between themselves and Muhammad, required that the words requiring the prostrations in wors.h.i.+p should not be added. The writer looked at the prophet, who stood by in silence, when Omar stood up and drew his sword with menacing words. They replied, We speak not thee but to Muhammad. Then this verse was revealed. Thus Dr. Sprenger. Life, p. 186. He renders the last clause, but at the right moment a friend reprehended thee.

23 Lit. weakness, languors.

24 "The Jews, envious of Muhammad's good reception and stay there, told him, by way of counsel, that Syria was the land of the Prophets, and that if he was really a prophet, he ought to go there." Sale from Djelal Eddin ap. Mar.

Geiger, p. 12, quotes a Talmudical saying to the same effect, but without any reference.

25 A work of supererogation, and therefore doubly meritorious. Thus Tr.

Berachoth, fol. 4. The word station (mekam) is still used of the nearness to G.o.d, attained in spiritual ecstacies, etc.

26 That is, to enter the Grave or Mecca. Lit. with an entry of truth.

27 The word spirit is probably to be understood of the Angel Gabriel. Comp. 1 Kings xxii. 21. Others understand it of the immaterial soul of man. See note on Sura [xci.] ii. 81.

28 The infidels hearing Muhammad say, Ya Allah! Ya Rahman! in his prayers, imagined that he was addressing two Deities; hence this pa.s.sage. Comp.

[lxxiii.] xvi. 52; [lxvi.] xxv. 61. As this t.i.tle of G.o.d (Rahman) disappears from the later Suras, it has been inferred that Muhammad's original intention was to have combined it with Allah, but that through fear lest Allah and Arrahman should be supposed to be two G.o.ds, he dropped the latter.-This t.i.tle was applied to their deities by the Himyarites; and it occurs in Ps. lxxviii.

38, and Ex. x.x.xiv. 6. The root is not found in aethiopic.

29 The Talm. Tr. Berachoth, 31, 2, forbids loudness in prayer by the example of Hannah.

30 Lit. magnify Him by magnifying.

SURA XXVII.-THE ANT [LXVIII.]

MECCA.-95 Verses

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

TA. SAD.1 These are the signs (verses) of the Koran and of the lucid Book;

Guidance and glad tidings to the believers who observe prayer and pay the stated alms, and believe firmly-do they-in the life to come.

As to those who believe not in the life to come, we have made their own doings fair seeming to them, and they are bewildered therein.

These are they whom the woe of chastis.e.m.e.nt awaiteth; and in the next life they shall suffer-yes shall they-greatest loss;

But thou hast certainly received the Koran from the Wise, the Knowing.

Bear in mind when Moses said to his family, "I have perceived a fire;

I will bring you tidings from it, or will bring you a blazing brand, that ye may warm you."

And when he came to it, he was called to, "Blessed, He who is in the fire, and He who is about it; and glory be to G.o.d, the Lord of the worlds!

O Moses! verily, I am G.o.d, the Mighty, the Wise!

Throw down now thy staff." And when he saw that it moved itself as though it were a serpent, he retreated backward and returned not. "O Moses, fear not; for the Sent Ones fear not in my presence,

Save he who having done amiss shall afterwards exchange the evil for good; for I am Forgiving, Merciful.

Put now thy hand into thy bosom: it shall come forth white, yet free from hurt:2 one of nine signs to Pharaoh and his people; for a perverse people are they."

And when our signs were wrought in their very sight,3 they said, "This is plain magic."

And though in their souls they knew them to be true, yet in their wickedness and pride they denied them. But see what was the end of the corrupt doers!

And of old we gave knowledge to David and Solomon: and they said, "Praise be to G.o.d, who hath made us to excel many of his believing servants!"

And in knowledge Solomon was David's heir. And he said, "O men, we have been taught the speech of birds,4 and are endued with everything. This is indeed a clear boon from G.o.d."

And to Solomon were gathered his hosts of Djinn5 and men and birds, and they were marched on in bands,

Till they reached the Valley of Ants. Said AN ANT, "O ye ants, enter your dwellings, lest Solomon and his army crush you and know it not."

Then smiled Solomon, laughing at her words, and he said, "Stir me up, O Lord, to be thankful for thy favour which thou hast shewed upon me and upon my parents, and to do righteousness that shall be well pleasing to thee, and bring me in, by thy mercy, among thy servants the righteous."

And he reviewed the birds, and said, "How is it that I see not the lapwing?

Is it one of the absent?

Surely, with a severe chastis.e.m.e.nt will I chastise it, or I will certainly slaughter it, unless it bring me a clear excuse."

Nor tarried it long ere it came and said, "I have gained the knowledge that thou knowest not, and with sure tidings have I come to thee from Saba:

I found a woman reigning over them, gifted with everything, and she hath a splendid throne;

And I found her and her people wors.h.i.+pping the sun instead of G.o.d; and Satan hath made their works fair seeming to them, so that he hath turned them from the Way: wherefore they are not guided,

To the wors.h.i.+p of G.o.d, who bringeth to light the secret things of heaven and earth, and knoweth what men conceal and what they manifest:

G.o.d! there is no G.o.d but He! the lord of the glorious throne!"

He said, "We shall see whether thou hast spoken truth, or whether thou art of them that lie.

Go with this my letter and throw it down to them: then turn away from them and await their answer."

She said, "O my n.o.bles! an honourable letter hath been thrown down to me:

It is from Solomon; and it is this: 'In the name of G.o.d, the Compa.s.sionate, the Merciful!

Set not up yourselves against me, but come to me submitting (Muslims).' "

She said, "O my n.o.bles, advise me in mine affair: I decide it not without your concurrence."6