The Koran Part 148

14 Lit. the companions of the sabbath. See [xci.] ii. 61.

15 This refers to certain renegade Jews, who out of hatred against Muhammad, went over to the Koreisch. See Noldeke. p. 149.

16 Lit. ripened.

17 Mecca.

18 And therefore a fit subject for plunder.

19 Some of the Meccans after embracing Islam did not thoroughly break with the infidels and fly their country. These persons were miraculously slain by angels at Bedr. Others suppose the angels to be Nakir and Monkir, who examine the dead in the grave.

20 That is, to what religion did ye belong?

21 And therefore could not resist the unbelievers.

22 Thus the Rabbins Tr. Berachoth, iv. 4, "He that goeth in a dangerous place may pray a short prayer."

23 See Mischna Tr. Berachoth, 10.

24 This verse is said to have been revealed when Muhammad was about to acquit a Muslim who had committed theft, and laid the guilt at the door of a Jew.

But the particulars are given in a very contradictory manner. See Noldeke, p.

151.

25 In allusion to an idolatrous and superst.i.tious custom of the old Arabians.

26 By the mutilation of slaves, branding their bodies, filing the teeth, etc.

27 See Sura lx.x.xiv. 24, p. 47, note.

28 Sura vi.

29 See Sura [xci.] ii.7.

30 Lit. one was made to appear to them like (Jesus). Comp. [xcvii.] iii.48.

Photius, Bibl. Cod. cxiv.says that the Apocr. Book, [Greek text]-This individual according to the Basilidans was-Simon of Cyrene; according to the Evang. Barnab', Judas.-Mani, Ep. Fund. ap. Evodium: "Princeps itaque tenebrarum cruci est affixus, idemque coronam spineam portavit."

31 By believing too much, like the Christians who regarded Jesus as G.o.d; or too little, like the Jews who would not believe on Muhammad.

32 That is, a Being possessing a Spirit.

SURA LXV.-DIVORCE1 [CI.]

MECCA.-12 Verses

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

O PROPHET! when ye divorce women, divorce them at their special times. And reckon those times exactly, and fear G.o.d your Lord. Put them not forth from their houses, nor allow them to depart, unless they have committed a proven adultery. This is the precept of G.o.d; and whoso transgresseth the precept of G.o.d, a.s.suredly imperilleth his own self. Thou knowest not whether, after this, G.o.d may not cause something new to occur which may bring you together again.

And when they have reached their set time, then either keep them with kindness, or in kindness part from them. And take upright witnesses from among you, and bear witness as unto G.o.d. This is a caution for him who believeth in G.o.d and in the latter day. And whoso feareth G.o.d, to him will He grant a prosperous issue, and will provide for him whence he reckoned not upon it.

And for him who putteth his trust in Him will G.o.d be all-sufficient. G.o.d truly will attain his purpose. For everything hath G.o.d a.s.signed a period.

As to such of your wives as have no hope of the recurrence of their times, if ye have doubts in regard to them, then reckon three months, and let the same be the term of those who have not yet had them. And as to those who are with child, their period shall be until they are delivered of their burden. G.o.d will make His command easy to him who feareth Him.

This is G.o.d's command which He hath sent down to you: Whoso feareth G.o.d, his evil deeds will He cancel and will increase his reward.

Lodge the divorced wherever ye lodge, according to your means; and distress them not by putting them to straits. And if they are pregnant, then be at charges for the them till they are delivered of their burden; and if they suckle your children, then pay them their hire and consult among yourselves, and act generously: And if herin ye meet with obstacles, then let another female suckle for him.

Let him who hath abundance of his abundance; let him, too, whose store is scanty, give of what G.o.d hath vouchsafed to him. G.o.d imposeth burdens only according to the means which He hath given. G.o.d will cause ease to succeed difficulties.

How many cities have turned aside from the command of their Lord and of his apostles! Therefore did we reckon with them in a severe reckoning, and chastised them with a stern chastis.e.m.e.nt;

And they tasted the harmfulness of their own conduct: and the end of their conduct was ruin.

A vehement chastis.e.m.e.nt hath G.o.d prepared for them! Fear G.o.d, then, O ye men of understanding!2

Believers! Now hath G.o.d sent down to you a warning! a prophet, who reciteth to you the clear signs of G.o.d, that he may bring those who believe, and do the things that are right, out of the darkness into the light. And-whoso believeth in G.o.d, and doeth the things that are right, G.o.d will cause them to enter the gardens beneath which the rivers flow, to remain therein for aye! A goodly provision now hath G.o.d made for him.

It is G.o.d who hath created seven heavens and as many earths.3 The Divine command cometh down through them all, that ye may know that G.o.d hath power over all things, and that G.o.d in his knowledge embraceth all things!

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1 Comp. Sura [xci.] ii. 228, which this Sura is perhaps intended to supplement. Wahidi and Beidhawi state that it was revealed on account of Ibn Omar who had divorced his wife at improper time, and was obliged to take her again.

2 In order to make good the rhyme, verse 10 ought to be continued to the end of the first clause of verse II.

3 Lit. and of the earth, their likes. The style of this verse resembles that of the Meccan Suras. Hence, probably; a tradition in Omar ben Muhammad makes the whole Sura Meccan.

SURA LIX.-THE EMIGRATION [CII.]

MEDINA.-24 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, the Mighty, the Wise!

He it is who caused the unbelievers among the people of the Book to quit their homes and join those who had EMIGRATED previously.1 Ye did not think that they would quit them; and they on their part thought that their fortresses would protect them against G.o.d: But G.o.d came upon them whence they looked not for Him, and cast such fear into their hearts that by their own hands as well as by the hands of the victorious believers they demolished their houses! Profit by this example ye who are men of insight!

And were it not that G.o.d had decreed their exile, surely in this world would he have chastised them: but in the world to come the chastis.e.m.e.nt of the fire awaiteth them.

This because they set them against G.o.d and his apostle; and whoso setteth him against G.o.d... . ! G.o.d truly is vehement in punishing.

Your cutting down some of their palm trees and sparing others was by G.o.d's permission, and to put the wicked to shame.

After the spoils of these Jews which G.o.d hath a.s.signed to his apostle, ye pressed not with horse or camel.2 But G.o.d giveth his apostles power over what he will. G.o.d is Almighty.