CHAP. XCVIII.

Intitled, The Evidence; where it was revealed is disputed.

In the name of the most merciful GOD.

e

THE unbelievers among those to whom the scriptures were given, and among the idolaters, did not stagger, until the clear evidence had come unto them: an apostle from GOD, rehearsing unto them pure books of revelations; wherein are contained right discourses. Neither were they unto whom the scriptures were given divided among themselves, until after the clear evidence had come unto them'. And they were commanded no other in the scriptures than to worship GOD, exhibiting unto him the pure religion, and being orthodox; and to be constant at prayer, and to give alms: and this is the right religion. Verily those who believe not, among those who have received the scriptures, and among the

• Some intitle this chapter, from the first words, Did not.

d Did not stagger.] i. e. Did not waver in their religion, or in their promises to follow the truth, when an apostle should come unto them. For the commentators pretend that before the appearance of Mohammed, the Jews and Christians, as well as the worshippers of idols, unanimously believed and expected the coming of that prophet, until which time they declared they would persevere in their respective religions, and then would follow him; but when he came, they rejected him through envy (1).

e The clear evidence.] viz. Mohammed, or the Korân.

f Were not divided among themselves, until after the clear evidence had come unto them.] But when the promised apostle was sent, and the truth became manifest to them, they withstood the clearest conviction, differing from one another in their opinions; some believing and acknowledging Mohammed to be the prophet foretold in the scriptures, and others denying it (2).

g 8 They were commanded no other than to worship GoD, &c.] But these divine precepts in the law and the gospel have they corrupted, changed, and violated (3).

(1) Al ZAMAKH. Al BEIDAWI, JALLALO'DDIN.

(2) Idem. (3) Idem.

idolaters, shall be cast into the fire of hell, to remain therein for ever. These are the worst of creatures. But they who believe, and do good works; these are the best of creatures: their reward with their LORD shall be gardens of perpetual abode, through which rivers flow; they shall remain therein for ever. GOD will be well pleased in them; and they shall be well pleased in him. This is prepared for him who shall fear his LORD.

CHAP. XCIX.

Intitled, The Earthquake; where it was revealed is disputed.

In the name of the most merciful GOD.

WHEN the earth shall be shaken by an earthquake; and the earth shall cast forth her burdens'; and a man shall say, What aileth her? On that day the earth shall declare her tidings, for that thy LoRD will inspire her. On that day men shall go forward in distinct classes, that they may behold their works. And whoever shall have wrought good of the weight of an ant', shall behold the same. And whoever

h When the earth shall be shaken, &c.] This earthquake will happen at the first, or, as others say, at the second blast of the trumpet (1).

i Its burdens.] viz. The treasures and dead bodies within it (2).

* The earth shall declare her tidings, &c.] i. e. Will inform all creatures of the occasion of her trembling, and

casting forth her treasures and her dead, by the circumstances which shall immediately attend them. Some say, the earth will, at the last day, be miraculously enabled to speak, and will give evidence of the actions of her inhabitants (3).

1 See chap. iv. p. 96. note f.

(1) Al ZAMAKH. Al BEIDAWI. See the Prelim. Disc. Sect. IV. p. 109. (2) See chap. lxxxiv. p. 477. (3) Al BEIDAWI. See the Prelim. Disc. Sect.

IV. p. 116.

shall have wrought evil of the weight of an ant,

shall behold the same.

CHAP. C.

Intitled, The War-Horses, which run swiftly ; where it was revealed is disputed.

In the name of the most merciful GOD.

By the war-horses which run swiftly to the battle, with a panting noise; and by those which strike fire, by dashing their hoofs against the stones; and by those which make a sudden incursion on the enemy carly in the morning, and therein raise the dust, and therein pass through the midst of the adverse troops": verily man is ungrateful unto his LORD; and he is witness thereof: and he is immoderate in the love

of worldly good. Doth he not know, therefore, when that which is in the graves shall be taken forth, and that which is in men's breasts shall be brought to light, that their LORD will, on that day, be fully informed concerning them?

m

all the parts of the oath, of the human soul (2); but their explications seem a little forced, and therefore I choose

By the war-horses which run swiftly, &c.] Some will have it that not horses, but the camels which went to the battle of Bedr, are meant to omit them. in this passage (1). Others interpret

(1) YAHYA. ex trad. Ali Ebn Abi Taleb.

(2) Al BEIDAWI.

CHAP. CI.

Intitled, The Striking; revealed at MECCA.

In the name of the most merciful GOD.

THE striking! What is the striking? And

what shall make thee to understand how terrible the striking will be? On that day men shall be like moths scattered abroad, and the mountains shall become like carded wool of various colours driven by the wind. Moreover he whose balance shall be heavy with good works, shall lead a pleasing life: but as to him whose balance shall be light, his dwelling shall be the pit of hell. What shall make thee to understand how frightful the pit of hell is? It is a burning fire.

The striking.] This is one of the names or epithets given to the last day, because it will strike the hearts of all creatures with terror (1).

• The pit of hell.] The original word Hawiyat is the name of the lowest dungeon of hell, and properly signifies a deep pit or gulf.

(1) Al BEIDAWI, JALLALO'DDIN.

VOL. II.

2 K

CHAP. CII.

Intitled, The emulous Desire of multiplying; where it was revealed is disputed.

In the name of the most merciful God. THE emulous desire of multiplying riches and children employeth you, until ye visit the graves". By no means should ye thus employ your time: hereafter shall ye know your folly. Again, By no means hereafter shall ye know your folly. By no means if ye knew the consequence hereof with certainty of knowledge, ye would not act thus. Verily ye shall see hell: again, ye shall surely see it with the eye of certainty. Then shall ye be examined on that day, concerning the pleasures with which ye have amused yourselves in this life.

P The emulous desire of multiplying riches and children employeth you, until ye visit the graves.] i. e. Until ye die. According to the exposition of some commentators, the words should be rendered thus; The contending or vying in numbers wholly employeth you, so that ye visit even the graves, to number the dead; to explain which, they relate that there was a great dispute and contention between the descendants of Abd Menâf and the descendants of Sahm, which

of the two families were the more numerous; and it being found, on calculation, that the children of Abd Menâf exceeded those of Sahm, the Sahmites said that their numbers had been much diminished by wars in the time of ignorance, and insisted that the dead, as well as the living, should be taken into the account; and by this way of reckoning they were found to be more than the descendants of Abd Menâf (1).

(1) Al ZAMAKH. Al BEIDAWI, JALLADO'DDIN.