: There is no one thing but the storehouses thereof are in our hands; and we distribute not the same otherwise than in a determinate measure. We also send the winds driving the pregnant clouds, and we send down from heaven water, whereof we give you to drink, and which ye keep not in store. Verily we give life, and we put to death: and we are the heirs of all things. We know those among you who go before; and we know those who stay behind.♪* And thy LORD shall gather them together at the last day for he is knowing and wise. We created man of dried clay, of black mud, formed into shape: and we had before created the devil of subtle fire. And remember when thy LoRD said unto the angels, Verily I am about to create man of dried clay, of black mud, wrought into shape; when, therefore, I shall have completely formed him, and shall have breathed of my spirit into him; do ye fall down and worship him. And all the angels worshipped Adam together, except Eblis, who refused to be with those who worshipped him. And God said unto him, O Eblis, what hindered thee from being with those who worshipped Adam? He answered, It is not fit that I should worship man, whom thou hast created of dried clay, of black mud, wrought into shape. God said, Get thee therefore hence: for thou shalt be driven away with stones: and a curse shall be on thee, until the day of judgment. The devil said, O LORD, Give me respite until the day of resurrection. God answered, Verily thou shalt be one of those who are respited until the day of the appointed time. The devil replied, O LORD, because thou hast seduced me,† I will surely tempt them to disobedience in the earth; and I will seduce such of them as shall be thy chosen servants. God said, This is the right way with me. Verily as to my servants, thou shalt have no power over them; but over those only who shall be seduced, and who shall follow thee. And hell is surely denounced unto them all it hath seven gates; unto every gate a distinct company of them shall be assigned. But those who fear God shall dwell in gardens, amidst fountains. The angels shall say unto them, Enter ye therein in peace selves; though it is God who provides for them as well as you: or, as some rather think, the animals, of whom men take no care." i. e. Alone surviving, when all creatures shall be dead and annihilated. What these words particularly drive at is uncertain. Some think them spoken of the different times of men's several entrance into this world, and their departure out of it; others of the respective forwardness and backwardness of Mohammed's men in battle: and a third says, the passage was occasioned by the different behaviour of Mohammed's followers, on seeing a very beautiful woman at prayers behind the prophet: some of them going out of the Mosque before her, to avoid looking on her more nearly, and others staying behind, on purpose to view her." We know those who have gone before you, as we do those who will come after you."-Savary. See chap. 2, p. 4, &c. See ibid. and chap. 7, p. 117. God "Because thou hast cast me down, added the rebel spirit, I will render evil pleasing unto man, and will seduce them all. Thy sincere servants alone shall be spared said, I am the way of salvation."-Savary. viz. The saving of the elect, and the utter reprobation of the wicked, according to my eternal decree. See the Prelim. Disc. sect. iv. p. 65. 2 Al Beidâwi. "Jallalo'ddin. Al Beidâwi. and security, and we will remove all grudges from their breasts; they shall be as brethren, sitting over against one another on couches; weariness shall not affect them therein, neither shall they be cast out thence for ever. Declare unto my servants that I am the gracious, the merciful God; and that my punishment is a grievous punishment. And relate unto them the history of Abraham's guests. When they went in unto him, and said, Peace be unto thee, he answered, Verily we are afraid of you:* and they replied, Fear not; we bring thee the promise of a wise son. He said, Do ye bring me the promise of a son now old age hath overtaken me? what is it therefore that ye tell me? They said, We have told thee the truth; be not therefore one of those who despair. He answered, And who despaireth of the mercy of GoD, except those who err? And he said, What is your errand, therefore, O messengers of God? They answered, Verily we are sent to destroy a wicked people; but as for the family of Lot, we will save them all, except his wife; we have decreed that she shall be one of those who remain behind to be destroyed with the infidels. And when the messengers came to the family of Lot, he said unto them, Verily ye are a people who are unknown to me. They answered, But we are come unto thee to execute that sentence, concerning which your fellow-citizens doubted: we tell thee a certain truth; and we are messengers of veracity. Therefore lead forth thy family, in some time of the night; and do thou follow behind them, and let none of you turn back; but go whither ye are commanded.' And we gave him this command; because the utmost remnant of those people was to be cut off in the morning. And the inhabitants of the city came unto Lot, rejoicing at the news of the arrival of some strangers. And he said unto them, Verily these are my guests: wherefore do not disgrace me by abusing them; but fear GoD, and put me not to shame. They answered, Have we not forbidden thee from entertaining or protecting any man? Lot replied, These are my daughters: therefore rather make use of them, if ye be resolved to do what ye purpose. As thou livest they wander in their folly. Wherefore a terrible storm from heaven assailed them at sun-rise,* and we turned the city upside down: and we rained on That is, all hatred and ill-will which they bore each other in their lifetime; or, as Bome choose to expound it, all envy or heart-burning on account of the different degrees of honour and happiness to which the blessed will be promoted, according to their respective merits. Never turning their backs to one another; which might be construed a sign of contempt. See chap. 11, p. 182, &c. What occasioned Abraham's apprehension was, either their sudden entering without leave, or their coming at an unseasonable time, or else their not eating with hini. 1 Which was into Syria; or into Egypt.' Some will have these words spoken by the angels to Lot others, by God to Mohammed. "At the rising of the sun, the cry of the angel precipitated upon them our scourges. We buried Sodom under its ruins, and caused a shower of stones to fall upon its inhs. bitants. These are signs to those who can discern. Sodom was situated on the high road. This example serves as a warring to the believers."-Savary. See chap. 7, p. 119, note u. Jallalo'ddin. ་ them stones of baked clay. Verily herein are signs unto men of sagacity: and those cities were punished, to point out a right way for men to walk in. Verily herein is a sign unto the true believers. The inhabitants of the wood* near Midian" were also ungodly. Wherefore we took vengeance on them." And both of them were destroyed, to serve as a manifest rule for men to direct their actions by. And the inhabitants of Al Hejr likewise heretofore accused the messengers of God of imposture: and we produced our signs unto them, but they retired afar off from the same. And they hewed houses out of the mountains, to secure themselves. But a terrible noise from heaven assailed them in the morning;† neither was what they had wrought of any advantage unto them. We have not created th heavens and the earth, and whatever is contained between them, otherwis; than in justice and the hour of judgment shall surely come. Wherefor O Mohammed, forgive thy people with a gracious forgiveness. Verily thy LORD is the creator of thee and of them, and knoweth what is most expedient We have already brought unto thee seven verses which are frequently to be repeated, and the glorious Korân. Cast not thine eyes on the good things which we have bestowed on several of the unbelievers, so as to covet the same neither be thou grieved on their account. Behave thyself with meekness towards the true believers; and say, I am a public preacher.* If they believe not, we will inflict a like punishment on them, as we have inflicted on the dividers, who distinguished the Korân into different parts, for by thy LoRD, we will demand an account from them all of that which "The inhabitants of Aleica* were corrupted. We inflicted on them our chastiseThese two cities were in the public road."-Savary. ments. To whom Shoaib was also sent, as well as to the inhabitants of Midian. Abulfeda says these people dwelt near Tabûc, and that they were not of the same tribe with Shoaib. See also Geogr. Nub. p. 110. • Destroying them, for their incredulity and disobedience, by a hot suffocating wind.' Who were the tribe of Thamûd. "The cry of the angel annihilated them at the dawn of day."-Savary. This verse, it is said, was abrogated by that of the sword. "Certainly the hour will come, O Mohammed, make a glorious retreat."-Savary. That is, the first chapter of the Korân, which consists of so many verses: though some suppose the seven long chapters' are here intended. That is, Do not envy or covet their worldly prosperity, since thou hast received in the Korân a blessing, in comparison whereof all that we have bestowed on them ought to be contemned as of no value. Al Beidâwi mentions a tradition, that Mohammed meeting at Adhriat (a town of Syria) seven caravans, very richly laden, belonging to some Jews of the tribes of Koreidha and al Nadir, his men had a great mind to plunder them, saying, That those riches would be of great service for the propagation of God's true religion. But the prophet represented to them, by this passage, that they had no reason to repine, God having given them the seven verses, which were infinitely more valuable than those seven caravans.2 Cast not thy looks on the good which we have bestowed upon the unbelievers. Grieve not for their fate. Spread thy wings over the faithful. Say unto them, I am truly your apostle."-Savary. Some interpret the original word, the obstructers, who hindered men from entering into Mecca, to visit the temple, lest they should be persuaded to embrace Islam; and this it is said, was done by ten men, who were all slain at Bedr. Others translate the word, who * The city of Aleica was situated in the desert near Midian, on the border of the Red Sea. 1 See Al Beidawi, Jallalo'ddin. See chap. 7, p. 124, &c. and Prelim. Disc p. 5. chap. 9, p. 148, note a. 2 Al Beidâwi. they have wrought. Wherefore publish that which thou hast been commanded, and withdraw from the idolaters. We will surely take thy part against the scoffers," who associate with GoD another god; they shall surely know their folly. And now we well know that thou art deeply concerned on account of that which thov say; but do thou celebrate the praise of thy LORD; and be one of those who worship; and serve thy LoRD until death shall overtake thee. CHAPTER XVI. INTITLED, THE BEE:' REVEALED AT MECCA. IN THE NAME OF THE MOST MERCIFUL GOD. THE Sentence of GoD will surely come to be executed: wherefore do not hasten it. Praise be unto him! and far be that from him which they associate with him! He shall cause the angels to descend with a revelation by his command, unto such of his servants as he pleaseth, saying, Preach that there is no GOD, except myself; therefore fear me. He hath created the heavens and the earth, to manifest his justice: far be that from him which they associate with him! He hath created man of seed;* and yet behold he is a professed disputer against the resurrection. He hath likewise created the cattle for you; from them ye have wherewith to keep yourselves warm, and other advantages; and of them do ye also eat. And bound themselves by oath; and suppose certain Thamudites, who swore to kill Saleb by night, are here meant. But the sentence more probably relates to the Jews and Christians, who (say the Mohammedans) receive some part of the scriptures, and reject others; and also approved of some passages of the Koran, and disapproved of others, according to their prejudices; or else to the unbelieving Meccans, some of whom called the Koran a piece of witchcraft; others, flights of divination; others, old stories; and others, a poetical composition." This passage, it is said, was revealed on account of five noble Koreish, whose names were Al Walid Ebn al Mogheira, al As Ebn Wayel, Oda Ebn Kais, al Aswad Ebn Abd Yaghuth, and al Aswad Ebn al Motalleb. These were inveterate enemies of Mohammed, continually persecuting him, and turning him into ridicule; wherefore at length Gabriel came and told him that he was commanded to take his part against them; and on the angel's making a sign towards them one after another, al Walîd passing by some arrows, one of them hitched in his garment, and he, out of pride, not stooping to take it off, but walking forward, the head of it cut a vein in his heel, and he bled to death; al As was killed with a thorn, which stuck into the sole of his foot, and caused his leg to swell to a monstrous size; Oda died with violent and perpetual sneezing; al Aswad Ebn Abd Yaghuth ran his head against a thorny tree and killed himself; and al Aswad Ebn al Motalleb was struck blind.* He hath created man of clay, and he disputes with obstinacy."-Savary. The person particularly intended in this place was Obba Ebn Khalf, who came to Mohammed with a rotten bone, and asked him whether it was possible for God to restore it to life. via. Their skins, wool, and hair, which serve you for clothing. they are likewise a credit unto you, when ye drive them home in the evening, and when ye lead them forth to feed in the morning: and they carry your burdens to a distant country, at which ye could not otherwise arrive, unless with great difficulty to yourselves; for your LORD is compassionate and merciful. And he hath also created horses, and mules, and asses, that ye may ride thereon, and for an ornament unto you; and he likewise created other things which ye know not. It appertaineth unto God to instruct men in the right way; and there is who turneth aside from the same but if he had pleased, he would certainly have directed you all. It is he who sendeth down from heaven rain water, whereof ye have to drink, and from which plants, whereon ye feed your cattle, receive their nourishment. And by means thereof he causeth corn, and olives, and palmtrees, and grapes, and all kinds of fruits, to spring forth for you. Surely herein is a sign of the divine power and wisdom unto people who consider. And he hath subjected the night and the day to your service; and the sun, and the moon, and the stars, which are compelled to serve by his command. Verily herein are signs unto people of understanding. And he hath also given you dominion over whatever he hath created for you in the earth, distinguished by its different colour. Surely herein is a sign unto people who reflect. It is he who hath subjected the sea unto you, that ye might eat fish thereout, and take from thence ornaments for you to wear; and thou seest the ships ploughing the waves thereof, that ye may seek to enrich yourselves of his abundance, by commerce; and that ye might give thanks. And he hath thrown upon the earth mountains firmly rooted, lest it should move with you, and also rivers, and paths, that ye might be directed: and he hath likewise ordained marks whereby men may know their way; and they are directed by the stars. Shall God therefore, who createth, be as he who createth not? Do ye not therefore consider? If ye attempt to reckon up the favours of God, ye shall not be able to compute their number; God is surely gracious and merciful; and God knoweth that which ye conceal, and that which ye publish. But the idols which ye invoke, besides God, create nothing, but are themselves created. They are dead, and not living; neither do they understand when they shall be raised.* Your God is one Being a grace to your court-yards, and a credit to you in the eyes of your neighbours. That is, of every kind; the various colour of things being one of their chief distinctions." Literally, fresh flesh; by which fish is meant, as being naturally more fresh, and sooner liable to corruption, than the flesh of birds and beasts. The expression is thought to have been made use of here the rather, because the production of such fresh food from salt water is an instance of God's power." As pearls and coral. The Mohammedans suppose that the earth, when first created, was smooth and equal, and thereby liable to a circular motion as well as the celestial orbs; and that the angels asking who could be able to stand on so tottering a frame, God fixed it the next morning by throwing the mountains on it. Which are their guides, not only at sea, but also on land, when they travel by night through the deserts. The stars which they observe for this purpose are either the pi iades, or some of those near the pole. ii. e. At what time they or their worshippers shall be raised to receive judgment, "They know not the time when they were made."-Savary. |