The Qur'an

In the name of the merciful and compassionate God. The Infallible, what is the Infallible? and what should make thee know what the Infallible is ? Thamtid and ‘Ad called the Striking! Day a lie; [5] but as for Thamfid they perished by the shock; and as for ‘Ad they perished with the violent cold blast of wind, which He subjected against them for seven nights and eight days consecutively. Thou mightest see the people therein prostrate as though they were palm stumps thrown down, and canst thou see any of them left? And Pharaoh and those before him of the overturned cities ? committed sins, [10] and they rebelled against the apostle of their Lord, and He seized them with an excessive punishment. Verily, we, when the water surged, bore you on 1 Cf. Chapter XIII, verse 31, Part I, p. 236. 2 Sodom and Gomorrah; cf. Part I, p. 183, note 1. it in a-sailing ship, to make it a memorial for you, and that the retentive ear might hold it. _ And when the trumpet shall be blown with one blast, and the earth shall be borne away, and the mountains too, and both be crushed with one crushing; [15] on that day shall the inevitable happen ; and the heaven on that day shall be cleft asunder, for on that day shall it wane! and the angels upon the sides thereof; and above them on that day shall eight bear the throne of thy Lord!

On the day when ye shall be set forth no hidden thing of yours shall be concealed. And as for him who is given his book in his right hand, he shall say, ‘Here! take and read my book. [20] Verily, I thought that I should meet my reckon- ing ;’ and he shall be in a pleasing life, in a lofty garden, whose fruits are nigh to cull—‘ Eat ye and drink with good digestion, for what ye did aforetime in the days that have gone by!’ [25] But as for him who is given his book in his left hand he shall say, ‘O, would that I had not received my book! I did not know what my account would be. O, would that it! had been an end of me! my wealth availed me not! my authority has perished from me!’ [30] ‘ Take him and fetter him, then in hell broil him! then into a chain whose length is seventy cubits force him! verily, he believed not in the mighty God, nor was he particular to feed the poor : [35] therefore he has not here to-day any warm friend, nor any food except foul ichor, which none save sinners shall eat!’

I need not swear by what ye see or what ye do not see, [40] verily, it is the speech of a noble apostle; and it is not the speech of a poet :—little is it ye believe ! And it is not the speech of a soothsayer,—little is it that ye mind!—a revelation from the Lord of the worlds. Why if he had invented against us any sayings, | [45] we would have seized him by the right hand, then we would have cut his jugular vein; nor could | any one of you have kept us off from him. | Verily, it is a memorial to the pious; and, verily, | we know that there are amongst you those who say it is a lie; [50] and, verily, it is a source of sighing to the misbelievers; and, verily, it is certain truth ! Therefore celebrate the name of thy mighty Lord!

In the name of the merciful and compassionate God. | An asker! asked for torment that must befall, for the unbelievers ; there is no repelling it; from God the Lord of the ascents ?, whereby ascend the angels 1 The person referred to is said to have been either Abu Gahl, who challenged Mohammed to cause a portion of the heaven to fall on them, see Chapter XXVI, verse 187, p. 97, or one Nadhr ibn el ‘Hareth, who said of Islam, ‘If this be the truth from Thee, then rain down on us stones from heaven!’ 2 Either steps by which the prayers of the righteous or the angels ascend to heaven; or the word may refer to the various degrees of the angels, or to the seven heavens themselves. See Introduction, D. 1xx. and the Spirit unto Him in a day whose length is fifty thousand years’. [5] Wherefore be patient with fair patience; verily, they see it as afar off, but we see it nigh ! The day when the heaven shall be as molten brass, and the mountains shall be like flocks of wool; [10] when no warm friend shall question friend ; they shall gaze on each other, and the sinner would fain give as a ransom from the torment of that day his sons and his mate, and his brother | and his kin who stand by him, and all who are in the earth, that yet it might rescue him!

[15] Nay, verily, it is a flame,—dragging by the scalp! it shall call those who retreated and turned their backs and who amassed and hoarded ! Verily, man is by nature rash ?! [20] when evil touches him, very impatient; when good touches him, niggardly; all save those who pray, who remain at their prayers, and in whose wealth is a reasonable due (set aside) [25] for him who asks and him who is kept from asking, and those who believe in a day of judgment, and those who shrink in terror from the torment of their Lord ;—verily, the torment of their Lord is not safe ;—and those who guard their private parts, [30] except for their wives or the (slave girls) whom their right hands possess, for they are not to be blamed ; but whoso craves beyond this, they are the transgressors; and those who observe their trusts and their compacts, and those who are upright in their testimonies, and those who keep their prayers, [35] these shall dwell in gardens honoured. ' Cf. Chapter XXXII, verse 4, p. 135; 2 Cf. Chapter XVII, verse 12, p. 2. What ails the misbelievers that they hurry on before thee, crowding together on the right and on the left!? Does every man of them wish to enter the garden of pleasure ?

Nay, we created them of what they know! [40] And I need not swear by the Lord of the easts and the wests?; verily, we are able to change them for others better, nor are we prevented! So leave them to plunge in discussion, and to play until they meet that day of theirs which they are threatened with, the day when they shall come forth in haste from the graves, as though they flock to a standard! with their looks abashed; meanness shall cover them! That is the day which they were promised! Tue CHAPTER OF NOAH. In the name of the merciful and compassionate God. Verily, we sent Noah to his people, ‘Warn thy people before there come to them a grievous torment!’ Said he, ‘O my people! verily, I am to you an obvious warner, that ye serve God and fear Him and obey me. He will pardon you your sins, and will defer you unto an appointed time ; verily, God’s " Cf. pp. 262, 263. * I.e. of the east and the west; or of the various points of the horizon at which the sun rises and sets in the course of the year.

appointed time when it comes will not be deferred, did ye but know !’ [5] Said he, ‘My Lord! verily, I have called my people by night and day, and my call did but increase them in flight; and, verily, every time I called them, that Thou mightest pardon them, they placed their fingers in their ears and tried to cover themselves with their garments and persisted, and were very big with pride. Then I called them openly ; then I published to them and I spoke to them in secret, and I said, “Ask forgiveness of your Lord, verily, He is very forgiving. [10] He will send the rain upon you in torrents, and will extend to you wealth and children, and will make for you gardens, and will make for you rivers. What ails you that ye hope not for something serious from God, when He has created you by steps!? Do ye not see how God has created the seven heavens in stories, [15]and has set the moon therein for a light, and set the sun for a lamp? and God has made you grow out of the earth, and then He will make you return thereto, and will make you come forth therefrom ; and God has made for you the earth a carpet that ye may walk therein in broad paths.”’

[20] Said Noah, ‘My Lord! verily, they have rebelled against me, and followed him whose wealth and children have but added to his loss, and they have plotted a great plot, and said, “Ye shall surely not leave your gods: ye shall surely neither leave Wadd, nor Suwa’h, nor Yag#iru, nor Ya’tq, nor Nasr?, and they led astray many.’ And thou * See Chapter XXII, verse 5, p. 56. * For these five idols, see Introduction, p. xii. 304 THE QUR'AN. LXXI, 24-LXXIJ, s. (Mohammed) wilt only increase the unjust in their error—|25] because of their sins they were drowned and made to enter into the fire, and they found no . helpers against God! And Noah said, ‘My Lord! leave not upon the earth one dweller of the misbelievers. Verily, Thou, if Thou shouldst leave them, they will lead astray Thy servants, and they will only bear for children sinners and misbelievers. My Lord! pardon me and my two parents, and whomsoever enters my house believing, and (pardon) the believers men and women—but Thou shalt only increase the unjust in loss.’ THE CHAPTER OF THE GINN. (eX X11. Mecca.) In the name of the merciful and compassionate God. Say, ‘I have been inspired that there listened a company of the ginn!, and they said, “ We have heard a marvellous Qur'an that guides to the right direction; and we believe therein, and we join no one with our Lord, for, verily, He—may the majesty of our Lord be exalted!—has taken to Himself neither consort nor son.

‘“ And, verily, a fool among us spake against God wide of the mark ! ““T5] And we thought that men and ginn would ~ never speak a lie against God. 1 See Introduction, pp. xiii-xiv. The occasion of Mohammed’s preaching to the ginn was on his returning from his unsuccessful errand to Za’if; see Introduction, p. xxx.

‘“And there are persons amongst men who seek for refuge with persons amongst the ginn'; but they increase them in their perverseness. And they thought, as ye thought, that God would not raise up any one from the dead. ‘“But we touched the heavens and found them filled with a mighty guard and shooting-stars; and we did sit in certain seats thereof to listen; but whoso of us listens now finds a shooting-star for him on guard. ‘“Trto] And, verily, we know not whether evil be meant for those who are in the earth, or if their Lord means right by them. ‘“And of us are some who are pious, and of us are some who are otherwise: we are in separate bands. ‘“And we thought that we could not frustrate God in the earth, and could not frustrate Him by flight. ‘“But, verily, when we heard the guidance we believed therein, and he who believes in his Lord shall fear neither diminution nor loss. ‘“ And, verily, of us are some who are Muslims, and of us some are trespassers; but those of us who are Muslims they strive after right direction ; [15] and as for the trespassers they are fuel for hell.”’

And if they? will go right upon the way, we will irrigate them with copious water to try them thereby; and whoso turns from the remembrance of his Lord He will drive him to severe torment. And (say) that the mosques are God’s, and that ye * The pagan Arabs when they found themselves in a lonely place, such as they supposed the ginn to haunt, used to say, ‘I take refuge in the Lord of this valley from the foolish among his people !’ should not call on any one with God, and that when God’s servant! stood up to pray they’ called out to him and well-nigh crowded upon him. [20] Say, ‘I only call upon my Lord, and I join no one with Him.’ Say, ‘ Verily, I cannot control for you either harm, or right direction.’ Say, ‘Verily, as for me none can protect me against God, nor do I find any refuge beside Him,— except delivering the message from God and His errands: and whoso rebels against God and His Apostle, verily, for him is the fire of hell for them to dwell therein for ever and for aye!’ [25] Until when they see what they are threatened with, then shall they surely know who is most weak at helping and fewest in numbers !

Say, ‘I know not if what ye are threatened with be nigh, or if my Lord will set for it a term. He knows the unseen, and He lets no one know His unseen, save such apostle as He is well pleased with : for, verily, He sends marching before him and behind him a guard!’ That He may know that they have delivered the errands of their Lord, for He compasses what they have, and reckons everything by number. THE CHAPTER OF THE ENWRAPPED. (LXXIITI. Mecca.) In the name of the merciful and compassionate God. O thou who art enwrapped! rise by night except a littke—the half, or deduct therefrom a little, or + Mohammed. ? The ginn.

add thereto, and chant the Qur’4n chanting. [5] Verily, we will cast on thee a heavy speech. Verily, the early part of the night is stronger in impressions and more upright in speech! Verily, thou hast by day a long employment; but mention the name of thy Lord and devote thyself thoroughly to Him, the Lord of the east and the west; there is no god but He; then take Him for a guardian | [10] And endure patiently what they say, and flee from them with a decorous flight. And leave me and those who say it is a lie, who are possessed of comfort; and let them bide for a while. Verily, with us are heavy fetters and hell-fire, and food that chokes, and mighty woe! On the day when the earth and the mountains shall tremble and the earth shall be as a crumbling sand-hill! [15] Verily, we have sent unto you an apostle bearing witness against you, as we sent an apostle unto Pharaoh. But Pharaoh rebelled against the apostle, and we seized him with an overpowering punishment. Then how will ye shield yourselves if ye misbelieve from the day which shall make children gr eyheaded, whereon the heaven cleaves—its promise shall be fulfilled !

Verily, this is a memorial, and whoso will, let him take unto his Lord a way}. * From verse 20 the rest of the siirah seems from its style to belong to the Medinah period; and there is a tradition ascribed to ‘Ayeshah that it was revealed a year later than the earlier part of the chapter. [20] Verily, thy Lord knows that thou dost stand up to pray nearly two-thirds of the night, or the half of it or the third of it, as do part of those who are with thee; for God measures the night and the day; He knows that ye cannot calculate it, and He turns relentant towards you. So read what is easy of the Qur’4n. He knows that there will be of you some who are sick and others who beat about in the earth craving the grace of God, and others who are fighting in the cause of God. Then read what is easy of it and be steadfast in prayer, and give alms, and lend to God a goodly loan, for what ye send forward for yourselves of good ye will find it with God. It is better and a greater hire; and ask ye pardon of God: verily, God is for-

THe CHAPTER OF THE ‘ COVERED,’ (EX XIV. Wecea. ) In the name of the merciful and compassionate God. O thou who art covered! rise up and warn ! And thy Lord magnify! [5] And thy garments purify! And abomination shun! | And grant not favours to gain increase! And for thy Lord await! And when the trump is blown,—for that day is a " The first five verses of this chapter form the second revelation by the angel Gabriel in person, and the first after the Fatrah, or period of ‘Intermission.’ See Introduction, p. xxii.

difficult day! [10] for the misbelievers aught but easy ! Leave me alone with him I have created, and for whom I have made extensive wealth!, and sons that he may look upon, and for whom I have smoothed things down. [15] Then he desires that I should increase! nay, verily, he is hostile to our signs! I will — drive him up a hill! Then he reflected and planned! May he be killed,—how he planned! [20] Again, may he be killed —how he planned! Then he looked ; then he frowned and scowled; then he retreated and was big with pride and said, ‘This is only magic exhibited! [25] this is only mortal speech !’—I will broil him in hell-fire! and what shall make thee know what hell-fire is? It will not leave and will not let alone. It scorches the flesh ; [30] over it are nineteen (angels). We have made only angels guardians of the fre, and we have only made their number a trial to those who misbelieve; that those who have been given the Book may be certain, and that those who believe may be increased in faith; and that those who have been given the Book and the believers may not doubt; and that those in whose hearts is sickness, and the misbelievers may say, ‘What does God mean by this as a parable ?’

Thus God leads astray whom He pleases, and guides him He pleases: and none knows the hosts of thy Lord save Himself; and it is only a reminder to mortals! [35] Nay, by the moon! And the night when it retires ! 1 The person meant is generally supposed to be Walid ibn Mughdirah, one of the chiefs of the Qurais. And the morning when it brightly dawns ! Verily, it is one of the greatest misfortunes; a warning to mortals; [40] for him amongst you who wishes to press forward or to tarry! Every soul is pledged! for what it earns; except the fellows of the right: in gardens shall they ask each other about the sinners!—‘ What drove you into hell-fire ?’ | They shall say, ‘We weren't? of those who prayed; [45] we didn’t feed the poor; but we did plunge into discussion with those who plunged, and we called the judgment day a lie until the certainty? did come to us!’ But there shall not profit them the intercession of the intercessors. [50] What ailed them that they turned away from the memorial as though they were timid asses fleeing from a lion? Nay, every man of them wished that he might have given him books spread open!

Nay, but they did not fear the hereafter! Nay, it is a memorial! and let him who will remember it ; [55] but none will remember it except God please. He is most worthy of fear; and he is most worthy to forgive !

In the name of the merciful and compassionate God. I need not swear by the resurrection day! ? See Chapter LII, verse 21, p. 249, note 1. * See Part I, p. 78, note 1. > T.e. death. Nor need I swear by the self-accusing soul! Does man think that we shall not collect his bones? Able are we to arrange his finger tips! [5] Nay, but man wishes to be wicked henceforward! he asks, When is the resurrection day ? But when the sight shall be dazed, and the moon be eclipsed, and the sun and the moon be together, [10] and man shall say upon that day, ‘Where is a place to flee to ?’—nay, no refuge! and to thy Lord that day is the sure settlement: He will inform man on that day of what He has sent forward or delayed ! Nay, man is an evidence against himself, [15] and even if he thrusts forward his excuses—. Do not move thy tongue thereby to hasten it’. It is for us to collect it and to read it; and when we read it then follow its reading. And again it is for us to explain it. [20] Nay, indeed, but ye love the transient life, and ye neglect the hereafter !

Faces on that day shall be bright, gazing on their Lord! And faces on that day shall be dismal! _ [25] Thou wilt think that a back-breaking calamity has happened to them! Nay, but when the [soul] comes up into the throat, and it is said, ‘Who will charm it back ?’ and he will think that it is his parting [hour], And leg shall be pressed on leg ?; [30] unto thy Lord on that day shall the driving be. For he did not believe* and did not pray ; but 1 T.e. the revelation; see p. 16, note 2, and p. 43, note 2. The words are addressed to Mohammed by the angel Gabriel. T.e. in the death struggle. * Or did not give in charity. he said it was a lie, and turned his back! Then he went to his people haughtily—woe to thee, and woe to thee! again woe to thee, and woe to thee! Does man think that he shall be. left to himself ? Wasn't! he a clot of emitted seed? Then he was congealed blood, and (God) created him, and fashioned him, and made of him pairs, male and female. [35] Is not He able to quicken the dead ?

THE: CHAPTER OF Man. (LX XVI. Mecca.) In the name of the merciful and compassionate God. Does there not come on man a portion of time when he is nothing worth mentioning? ? Verily, we created man from a mingled clot, to try him; and we gave him hearing and sight. Verily, we guided him in the way, whether he be grateful or ungrateful. Verily, we have prepared for those who misbelieve - chains and fetters and a blaze! [5] Verily, the righteous shall drink of a cup tempered with Kafr’, a spring from which God’s servants shall drink and make it gush out as they please ! They who fulfil their vows, and fear a day, the evil which shall fly abroad, and who give food for His Hee batt Lp. 76, note 1, 2 While in the womb. * Name of a river in Paradise, so called because it is white, cool, and sweet-smelling, as camphor is.

love to the poor and the orphan and the captive. ‘We only feed you for God’s sake; we desire not from you either reward or thanks ; [10] we fear from our Lord a frowning, calamitous day !’ And God will guard them from the evil of that day and will cast on them brightness and joy; and their reward for their patience shall be Paradise and silk! reclining therein upon couches they shall neither see therein sun nor piercing cold'; and close down upon them shall be its shadows; and lowered over them its fruits to cull; [15] and they shall be served round with vessels of silver and goblets that are as flagons—flagons of silver which they shall mete out! and they shall drink therein a cup tempered with Zingabil?, a spring therein named Silsabil ! and there shall go round about them eternal boys; when thou seest them thou wilt think them scattered pearls; [20] and when thou seest them thou shalt see pleasure and a great estate! On them shall be garments of green embroidered satin and brocade ; and they shall be adorned with bracelets of silver ; and their Lord shall give them to drink pure drink! Verily, this is a reward for you, and your efforts are thanked.

Verily, we have sent down upon thee the Qur'an. Wherefore wait patiently for the judgment of thy Lord, and obey not any sinner or misbeliever amongst them. [25] But remember the name of thy Lord morning, and evening, and through the 1 Zamharir, the word here rendered ‘piercing cold,’ is by some authorities interpreted to mean ‘the moon.’ * Zingabil signifies ‘ ginger.’ night, and adore Him, and celebrate His praises the whole night long. Verily, these love the transitory life, and leave behind them a heavy day! We created them and strengthened their joints ; and if we please we can exchange for the likes of them in their stead. Verily, this is a memorial, and whoso will, let him take unto his Lord a way. [30] But ye will not please except God please! Verily, God is knowing, wise. He makes whomsoever He pleases to enter into His mercy; but the unjust He has prepared for them a grievous woe! Tue CHAPTER OF THOSE SENT. In the name of the merciful and compassionate God. By those sent in a series?! And by those who speed swiftly! And by the dispensers abroad! And by the separators apart! [5] And by those who insti! the reminder, as an excuse or warning!

Verily, what ye are threatened with shall surely happen ! And when the stars shall be erased! And when the heaven shall be cleft ! [10] And when the mountains shall be winnowed! And when the apostles shall have a time appointed. ? Either angels or winds, or as some interpret the passage, the — verses of the Qur’an.

For what day is the appointment made ? For the day of decision! and what shall make thee know what the decision is ? [15] Woe on that day for those who say it is a lie! Have we not destroyed those of yore, and then followed them up with those of the latter day? Thus do we with the sinners. Woe on that day for those who say it is a lie! [20] Did we not create you from contemptible water, and place it in a sure depository unto a certain decreed term ? for we are able and well able too! Woe on that day for those who say it is a lie! [25] Have we not made for them the earth to hold the living and the dead? and set thereon firm mountains reared aloft? and given you to drink water in streams? Woe on that day for those who say it is a lie! Go off to that which ye did call a lie! [30] Go off to the shadow of three columns, that shall not shade nor avail against the flame! Verily, it throws off sparks like towers,—as though they were yellow camels ! Woe on that day for those who say it is a lie!

[35] This is the day when they may not speak,— when they are not permitted to excuse themselves! Woe on that day for those who say it is a lie! This is the day of decision! We have assembled you with those of yore; if ye have any stratagem employ it now! [40] Woe on that day for those who say it is a lie! Verily, the pious are amid shades and springs and fruit such as they love.—‘ Eat and drink with good digestion, for that which ye have done!’ Verily, thus do we reward those who do well. [45] Woe on that day for those who say it is aie | ‘Eat and enjoy yourselves for a little; verily, ye are sinners !’ Woe on that day for those who say it is a lie! And when it is said to them bow down, they bow not down. Woe on that day for those who say it is a lie! [50] And in what new discourse after it will they believe ? THe CHAPTER OF THE INFORMATION. In the name of the merciful and compassionate God. Of what do they ask each other ?—Of the mighty information whereon they do dispute? nay, they shall know too well! [5] Again, nay, they shall ‘know too well!

Have we not set the earth as a couch, and the mountains as stakes, and created you in pairs, and made your sleep for rest, [10] and made the night a garment, and made the day for livelihood, and built above you seven solid (heavens) and set a burning lamp, and sent down from the rain expressing clouds water pouring forth, [15] to bring out 1 T.e. the news of the resurrection.

thereby the grain and herb and gardens thickly planted ? Verily, the day of decision is an appointed time ; and the day when the trumpet shall be blown, and ye shall come in troops, and the heavens shall be opened, and shall be all doors, [20] and the mountains shall be moved, and shall be like a mirage! Verily, hell is an ambuscade; a reward for the outrageous, to tarry therein for ages. They shall not taste therein cool nor drink, [25] but only boiling water and pus ;—a fit reward ! Verily, they did not hope for the account ;_ but they ever said our signs were lies. Everything have we remembered in a book. [30] ‘Then taste, for we will only increase your torment !’ Verily, for the pious is a blissful place,—gardens and vineyards, and girls with swelling breasts of the same age as themselves, and a brimming cup ; [35] they shall hear therein no folly and no lie;—a reward from thy Lord, a sufficient gift! The Lord of the heavens and the earth, and what is between them both,—the Merciful,—they cannot obtain audience of Him! The day when the Spirit and the angels shall stand in ranks, they shall not speak save to whom the Merciful permits, and who speaks aright.

That is the true day; and whoso pleases let him take to a resort unto his Lord! [40] Verily, we have warned you of a torment that is nigh: oh a day when man shall see what his two hands have sent forward; and the misbeliever shall say, ‘Would that I were dust!” 318 THE QUR’AN. LXXIN: ss. THE CHAPTER OF THOSE WHO TEAR Out.

In the name of the merciful and compassionate God. By those who tear out violently ! And by those who gaily release?! And by those who float through the air! And the precedersx who precede?! [5] And those who manage the affair! On the day when the quaking® quakes which the following one shall succeed! Hearts on that day shall tremble; eyes thereon be humbled! [10] They say, ‘Shall we be sent back to our old course ?—What! when we are rotten bones ?’ they say, ‘That then were a losing return !’ But it will only be one scare, and lo! they will be on the surface! [15] Has the story of Moses‘ come to you ? when his Lord addressed him in the holy valley of Tuva, ‘Go unto Pharaoh, verily, he is outrageous; and say, “ Hast thou a wish to purify thyself, and that I may guide thee to thy Lord, and thou mayest fear?! [20] So he showed him the greatest sign; but * Referring to the angel of death and his assistants, who tear away the souls of the wicked violently, and gently release the souls of the good. * The angels who precede the souls of the righteous to Paradise.

* The trumpet blast at the last day, which shall make the universe quake. * See Chapter XX, verse £2; 'D. 36. he called him a liar and rebelled. Then he retreated hastily, and gathered, and proclaimed, and said, ‘I am your Lord most High!’ [25] but God seized him with the punishment of the future life and of the former. Verily, in that is a lesson to him who fears! Are ye harder to create or the heaven that He has built? He raised its height and fashioned it ; and made its night to cover it, and brought forth its noonday light ; [30] and the earth after that He did stretch out. He brings forth from it its water and its pasture. And the mountains He did firmly set, a provision for you and for your cattle. And when the great predominant calamity shall come, [35] on the day when man shall remember what he strove after, and hell shall be brought out for him who sees! And as for him who was outrageous and preferred the life of this world, verily, hell is the resort ! . [40] But as for him who feared the station of his Lord, and prohibited his soul from lust, verily, Paradise is the resort!

They shall ask thee about the Hour, for when it is set. Whereby canst thou mention it? Unto thy Lord its period belongs. [45] Thou art only a warner to him who fears it. On the day they see it, it will be as though they had only tarried an evening or the noon thereof. Tue CuarptTer ‘He FRowNeED.’

In the name of the merciful and compassionate God. He frowned and turned his back, for that there came to hima blind man?! But what should make thee know whether haply he may be purified? or may be mindful and the reminder profit him? [5] But as for him who is wealthy, thou dost attend to him; and thou dost not care that he is not purified ; but as for him who comes to thee earnestly fearing the while, [10] from him thou art diverted ! Nay! verily, it is a memorial; and whoso pleases will remember it. In honoured pages exalted, purified, [15] in the hands of noble, righteous scribes! May man be killed! how ungrateful he ts! Of what did He create him? Of a clot. He created him and fated him; [20] then the path He did make easy for him; then He killed him, and laid him in the tomb; then when He pleases will He raise him up again. One Abdallah ibn Umm Makttim, a poor blind man, once interrupted Mohammed while the latter was in conversation with Walid ibn Mug/airah and some others of the Qurais chiefs. The prophet taking no notice of him, the blind man raised his voice and earnestly begged for religious instruction, but Mohammed, annoyed at the interruption, frowned and turned away. This pas-_ sage is a reprimand to the prophet for his conduct on the occasion. Afterwards, whenever he saw the blind Abdallah, Mohammed used to say, ‘Welcome to him on whose account my Lord reproved me!’ and subsequently made him governor of Medinah.

Nay, he has not fulfilled his bidding! But let man look unto his foods. [25] Verily, we have poured the water out in torrents: then we have cleft the earth asunder, and made to grow therefrom the grain, and the grape, and the hay, and the olive, and the palm, [30] and gardens closely planted, and fruits,.and grass,—a provision for you and for your cattle ! But when the stunning noise shall come, on the day when man shall flee from his brother [35] and his mother and his father and his spouse and his sons! Every man among them on that day shall have a business to employ him. Faces on that day shall be bright,—laughing, joyous! [40] and faces shall have dust upon them,— darkness shall cover them! those are the wicked misbelievers !

In the name of the merciful and compassionate God. When the sun is folded up, And when the stars do fall, And when the mountains are moved, And when the she-camels ten months’ gone with young shall be neglected!, [5] And when the beasts shall be crowded together? * Such camels being among the most valuable of an Arab’s possessions, neglect of them must imply some terribly engrossing calamity. * The terrors of the judgment day will drive all the wild beasts together for mutual shelter, And when the seas shall surge up, And when souls shall be paired with bodies, And when the child who was buried alive shall be asked for what sin she was slain}, [10] And when the pages shall be spread out, And when the heaven shall be flayed, And when hell shall be set ablaze, And when Paradise shall be brought nigh, The soul shall know what it has produced! [15] I need not swear by the stars that slink back, moving swiftly, slinking into their dens! Nor by the night when darkness draws on! Nor by the morn when it first breathes up! Verily, it is the speech of a noble apostle, [20] mighty, standing sure with the Lord of the throne, obeyed and trusty too!

Your comrade is not mad; he saw him? on the plain horizon’, nor does he grudge to communicate the unseen*, [25] Nor is it the speech of a pelted devil? Then whither do ye go? It is but a reminder.to the worlds, to whomsoever of you pleases to go straight :—but ye will not please, except God, the Lord of the world, should please. ? See Part I, p. 132, note 3, and p. 256, note 2. See also Introduction, p. x. ° See Chapter LIII, verses 1-19, pp. 251, 252. * Some copies have a various reading, ‘ suspicious of?’ ® See Part I, note 2, pp. 50, 51.

In the name of the merciful and compassionate God. When the heaven is cleft asunder, _And when the stars are scattered, And when the seas gush together, And when the tombs are turned upside down, [5] The soul shall know what it has sent on or kept back! O man! what has seduced thee concerning thy generous Lord, who created thee, and fashioned thee, and gave thee symmetry, and in what form He pleased composed thee ? Nay, but ye call the judgment a lie! [10] but Over you are guardians set!,—noble, writing down! they know what ye do! Verily, the righteous are in pleasure, and, verily, the wicked are in hell; [15] they shall broil therein upon the judgment day; nor shall they be absent therefrom ! And what shall make thee know what is the judgment day ? Again, what shall make thee know what is the judgment day ? a day when no soul shall control aught for another; and the bidding on that day belongs to God! THE CHAPTER OF THOSE WHO GIVE SHORT WEIGHT. (LXX XIII. Mecca.) In the name of the merciful and compassionate God. Woe to those who give short weight ! who when

? See p. 243, note 1. ¥ 2 they measure against others take full measure; but when they measure to them or weigh to them, diminish ! Do not these think that they shall be raised again [5] at the mighty day? the day when men shall stand before the Lord of the worlds! Nay, verily, the book of the wicked is in Siegin? and what shall make thee know what Siggin 1s ?— a book inscribed ! [10] Woe on that day for those who say it is a lie! Who call the judgment day a lie! but none shall call it a lie except every sinful transgressor, who, when our signs are read to him, says, ‘Old folks (ales | Nay, but that which they have gained has settled upon their hearts. Nay, verily, [15] from their Lord on that day are they veiled; and then, verily, they shall broil in hell; then it shall be said, ‘ This is what ye once did alla lie! Nay, verily, the book of the righteous is in ‘Tlliyin?; and what shail make thee know what ‘[lliyan is ?—[20] a book inscribed! those nigh to God shall witness it. Verily, the righteous shall be in pleasure; upon couches shall they gaze; thou mayest recognise in their faces the brightness of pleasure; [25] they shall be given to drink wine that is sealed, whose seal is musk; for that then let the aspirants aspire !

1 Siggin, the ‘ prison’ of hell, whence the register of the wicked is named. * ‘Illiyfin means ‘high places.’

—and it shall be tempered with Tasnim 1,—a spring from which those nigh to God shall drink. Verily, those who sin do laugh at those who believe; [30] and when they pass by they wink at one another, and when they return to their family they return ridiculing them ; and when they see them they say, ‘Verily, these do go astray !’— but they are not sent as guardians over them! But to-day those who believe shall at the misbelievers laugh! [35] Upon couches shall they gaze; are the misbelievers rewarded for what they have done? THe CHAPTER OF THE RENDING ASUNDER, 6.0.6.4 85 Mecca.) In the name of the merciful and compassionate God. When the heaven is rent asunder and gives ear unto its Lord, and is dutiful ! And when the earth is stretched out and casts forth what is in it, and is empty, [5] and gives ear unto its Lord, and is dutiful ! O man! verily, thou are toiling after thy Lord, toiling ; wherefore shalt thou meet Him! And as for him who is given his book in his right hand, he shall be reckoned with by an easy reckoning; and he shall go back to his family joyfully.

[10] But as for him who is given his book behind his back?, he shall call out for destruction, but he 1 Name of a fountain in Paradise, so called because it is conveyed to the highest apartments there. | 2 T.e. in the left hand, which will be chained behind the back, the right hand being fettered to the neck. shall broil in a blaze! Verily, he was amongst his family joyful. Verily, he thought that he should never return to God. [15] Yea, verily, his Lord on him did look ! I need not swear by the evening glow, Or by the night, and what it drives together, Or by the moon when it is at its full, Ye shall be surely transferred from state to state!! [20] What ails them that they do not believe? and, when the Qur’an is read to them, do not adore ? Nay, those who misbelieve do say it is a lie, but God knows best the (malice) that they hide. So give them the glad tidings of grievous woe! [25] save those who believe and act aright, for them is hire that is not grudged!

In the name of the merciful and compassionate God. By the heaven with its zodiacal signs?! And the promised day ! And the witness and the witnessed?! The fellows of the pit were slain; [5] And the fire with its kindling, When they sat over it And witnessed the while what they were doing with those who believed ¢, * From life to death, and from death to the future life. * Literally, ‘ towers.’ * Various interpretations are given of these words, the most probable perhaps being that ‘the witness’ is Mohammed, and ‘the witnessed’ the faith. * Alluding to the persecution of the Christians at Negran by. And they took not vengeance on them save for their belief in God, The mighty, the praiseworthy, Whose is the kingdoms of the heavens and the earth ; For God is witness over all! [10] Verily, those who make trial of the believers, men and women, and then do not repent, for them is the torment of hell, and for them is the torment of the burning ! Verily, those who believe and act aright, for them are gardens beneath which rivers flow,—that is the great bliss ! Verily, the violence of thy Lord is keen!

Verily, He produces and returns, and He is the forgiving, the loving, [15] the Lord of the glorious throne; the doer of what He will! Has there come to thee the story of the hosts of Pharaoh and Thamtd? Nay, those who misbelieve do say it is a lie; [20] but God is behind them—encompassing! Nay, it is a glorious Qur’4n in a preserved tablet’. THe CHAPTER OF THE NIGHT STAR. In the name of the merciful and compassionate God. By the heaven and by the night star! And what Duu ’n Navvas, king of Yemen, who had embraced the Jewish religion, and who commanded all his subjects who would not do the same to be flung into a pit filled with fire, and burnt to death. + See Part I, p. 2, npte 2. shall make thee know what the night star is >—The star of piercing brightness. Verily, every soul has a guardian over it. [5] Then let man look from what he is created : he is created from water poured forth, that comes out from between the loins and the breast bones}. Verily, He is able to send him back again, on the | day when the secrets shall be tried, [10] and he shall have no strength nor helper.

By the heaven that sends back the rain! And the earth with its sprouting! Verily, it is indeed a distinguishing speech, and it is no frivolity ! [15] Verily, they do plot a plot! But I plot my plot too! let the misbelievers bide ; do thou then let them bide awhile ! THE CHAPTER OF THE Most Hieu.

In the name of the merciful and compassionate God. Celebrated the name of thy Lord most High, who created and fashioned, and who decreed and guided, and who brings forth the pasture, [5] and then makes it dusky stubble! We will make thee recite, and thou shalt not forget’, save what God pleases. Verily, He knows the open and what is concealed; and we will send ’ From the loins of the man and the breast bones of the - woman.—Al BaidhAvi. * See Chapter II, verse roo, Part I, p. 14. thee easily to ease; wherefore remind, for, verily, the reminder is useful. [10] But he who fears will be mindful; but the wretch will avoid it; he who will broil on the great fire, and then therein shall neither die nor live! Prosperous is he who purifies himself, [15] and remembers the name of his Lord and prays! Nay! but ye prefer the life of this world, while the hereafter is better and more lasting. Verily, this was in the books of yore,—the books of Abraham and Moses. THe CHAPTER OF THE OVERWHELMING}.

In the name of the merciful and compassionate God. Has there come to thee the story of the overwhelming ? Faces on that day shall be humble, labouring, toiling,—shall broil upon a burning fire ; [5] shall be given to drink from a boiling spring! no food shall they have save from the foul thorn, which shall not fatten nor avail against hunger! Faces on that day shall be comfortable, content with their past endeavours,—[10] in a lofty garden wherein they shall hear no foolish word; wherein is a flowing fountain ; wherein are couches raised on high, and goblets set down, [15] and cushions arranged, and carpets spread ! ? Another name of the last day. Do they not look then at the camel how she is created? ? And at the heaven how it is reared ? And at the mountains how they are set up ? [20] And at the earth how it is spread out? But remind: thou art only one to remind; thou art not in authority over them; except such as turns his back and misbelieves, for him will God torment with the greatest torment. [25] Verily, unto us is their return, and, verily, for us 1s their account !

THE CHAPTER OF THE Dawn.

In the name of the merciful and compassionate God. By the dawn and ten nights?! And the single and the double ! And the night when it travels on! Is there in that an oath for a man of sense ? [5] Hast thou not seen how thy Lord did with ‘Ad ?—with Iram of the columns? ? the like of which has not been created in the land ? * So useful an animal as a camel being to an Arab a singular instance of divine wisdom. * The first ten nights of the sacred months of Duu ’l Heggeh. * Sheddad, the son of ‘Ad, is related to have ordered the construction of a terrestrial paradise in the desert of Aden, ostensibly in rivalry of the celestial one, and to have called it Irem, after the name of his great-grandfather Irem (Aram). On going to take possession of it, he and all his people were struck dead by a noise’ from heaven, and the paradise disappeared. Certain Arab travellers are declared to have come across this mysterious garden. And Thamtid when they hewed the stones in the valley ? And Pharaoh of the stakes!? [10] Who were outrageous in the land, and did multiply wickedness therein, and thy Lord poured out upon them the scourge of torment.

Verily, thy Lord is on a watch tower! and as for man, whenever his Lord tries him and honours him and grants him favour, then [15] he says, ‘My Lord has honoured me;’ but whenever he tries him and doles out to him his subsistence, then he says, ‘My Lord despises me!’ Nay, but ye do not honour the orphan, nor do ye urge each other to feed the poor, [20] and ye devour the inheritance (of the weak) with a general devouring’, and ye love wealth with a complete love! Nay, when the earth is crushed to pieces, and thy Lord comes with the angels, rank on rank, and hell is brought on that day,—on that day shall man be reminded! but how shall he have a reminder ? [25] He will say, ‘Would that I had sent something forward for my life !’ But on that day no one shall be tormented with a torment like his, and none shall be bound with bonds like his! O thou comforted soul! return unto thy Lord, well pleased and well pleased with ! And enter amongst my servants, [30] and enter my Paradise! PAC 76, Occ. aot Fart), 0, 92, nova:

THE CHAPTER OF THE LAND. (AC- Mecca) In the name of the merciful and compassionate God. I need not swear by the Lord of this land}, and thou a dweller in this land?! Nor by the begetter arid what he begets! We have surely created man in trouble. [5] Does he think that none can do aught against him ? | He says, ‘I have wasted wealth in plenty;’ does he think that no one sees him ? Have we not made for him two eyes and a tongue, and two lips? [10] and guided him in the two highways? but he will not attempt the steep! And what shall make thee know what the steep is? It is freeing captives, or feeding on the day of famine, [15]an orphan who is akin, or a poor man who lies in the dust ; and again (it is) to be of these who believe and encourage each other to patience, and encourage each other to mercy,—these are the fellows of the right®! But those who disbelieve in our signs, they are the fellows of the left, [20] for them is fire that closes in! * Ie. the sacred territory of Mecca. * Or, ‘art at liberty to act as thou pleasest.’ P pee pp. 203, 264,

Tue CHAPTER OF THE SUN. (Px Cl Mecca} In the name of the merciful and compassionate God. By the sun and its noonday brightness! And the moon when it follows him! And the day when it displays him! And the night when it covers him! [5] And the heaven and what built it ! And the earth and what spread it! And the soul and what fashioned it, and taught it its sin and its piety! Prosperous is he who purifies it! [10] And disappointed is he who corrupts it ! Thamid called the apostle a liar' in their outrage, when their wretch rose up and the apostle of God said to them, ‘God’s she-camel! so give her to drink.’ But they called him a liar, and they ham-strung her; but their Lord destroyed them in their sins, and served them all alike; [15] and He fears not the result thereof!

In the name of the merciful and compassionate God. By the night when it veils! And the day when it is displayed! And by what created male and female! Verily, your efforts are diverse! Pmee Tart 1, p. 147, note i, [5] But as for him who gives alms and fears God, And believes in the best, We will send him easily to ease! But as for him who is niggardly, And longs for wealth, And calls the good a lie, [10] We will send him easily to difficulty! And his wealth shall not avail him When he falls down (into hell)! Verily, it is for us to guide ; And, verily, ours are the hereafter and the former life ! And I have warned you of a fire that flames! [15] None shall broil thereon, but the most wretched, who says it is a lie and turns his back. But the pious shall be kept away from it, he who gives his wealth in alms, and who gives no favour to any one for the sake of reward, [20] but only craving the face of his Lord most High; in the end he shall be well pleased! THE CHAPTER OF THE FORENOON. CA CITE Mecca)

In the name of the merciful and compassionate God. And the night when it darkens! Thy Lord has not forsaken thee, nor hated thee! and surely the hereafter is better for thee than the former ; [5] and in the end thy Lord will give thee, and thou shalt be well pleased! | Did He not find thee an orphan, and give thee shelter ? and find thee erring, and guide thee? and find thee poor with a family, and nourish thee ? But as for the orphan oppress him not; [10] and as for the beggar drive him not away; and as for the favour of thy Lord discourse thereof.

In the name of the merciful and compassionate God. Have we not expanded for thee thy breast! ? and set down from thee thy load which galled thy back ? and exalted for thee thy renown ? [5] Verily, with difficulty is ease! verily, with difficulty is ease! And when thou art at leisure then toil, and for thy Lord do thou yearn! Tue CHAPTER OF THE Fic. (XCV. Place of origin doubtful.) In the name of the merciful and compassionate God, And by the olive! * Ive. expanded it for the reception of the truth. Taking the words literally some Muslims have supposed it to refer to the legend, that the angel Gabriel appeared to Mohammed while he was a child, and having cut open his breast took out his heart, and cleansed it from the black drop of original sin. This explanation is, however, rejected by the more sensible of the orthodox Muslim divines. 336 THE QUR'AN, XCV, 2-XCVI, ro. And by Mount Sinai! And by this safe land!! We have indeed created man in the best of symmetry. [5] Then we will send him back the lowest of the low; save those who believe and act aright ; for theirs is a hire that is not grudged.

But what shall make thee call the judgment after this a lie? Is not God a most just of judges ? Tue CHAPTER OF CONGEALED BLoop?.

In the name of the merciful and compassionate God. READ, in the name of thy Lord! Who created man from congealed blood! Read, for thy Lord is most generous! [5] Who taught the pen! Taught man what he did not know! Nay, verily, man is indeed outrageous at seeing himself get rich! Verily, unto thy Lord is the return! Hast thou considered him who forbids [ro] a servant? when he prays#? * Alluding to the inviolable character of the sacred territory of Mecca. * The five opening verses of the chapter are generally allowed to have been the first that were revealed. See Introduction, p. xx, and note 1, idem. > T.e. Mohammed. * The allusion is to Abu Gahl, who threatened to set his foot on Mohammed’s neck if he caught him in the act of adoration. - Hast thou considered if he were in guidance or bade piety? Hast thou considered if he said it was a lie, and turned his back ? Did he not know that God can see ? [15] Nay, surely, if he do not desist we will drag him by the forelock !—the lying sinful forelock ! So let him call his counsel : we will call the guards

of hell! Nay, obey him not, but adore and draw nigh! THE CuapTerR OF Power}. (XCVII. Place of origin doubtful.) In the name of the merciful and compassionate God. Verily, we sent it down on the Night of Power! And what shall make thee know what the Night of Power is ?—the Night of Power is better than a thousand months! The angels and the Spirit descend therein, by the permission of their Lord with every bidding. [5] Peace it is until rising of the dawn ! THe CHAPTER OF THE MANIFEST SIGN. (XCVIII. Place of origin doubtful.) In the name of the merciful and compassionate God. | Those of the people of the Book and the idolaters * The word el Qadr signifies ‘ power,’ ‘ worth,’ ‘measure,’ and ‘the divine decree.’ who misbelieve did not fall off until there came to them the manifest sign,— An apostle from God reading pure pages wherein are right scriptures : Nor did those who were given the Book divide into sects until after there came to them the manifest sign. But they were not bidden aught but to worship God, being sincere in religion unto Him as ‘Hanifs, and to be steadfast in prayer, and to give alms: for that is the standard religion.

[5] Verily, those who disbelieve amongst the people of the Book and the idolaters shall be in the fire of hell, to dwell therein for aye ; they are wretched creatures ! Verily, those who believe and act aright, they are the best of creatures ; their reward with their Lord is gardens of Eden, beneath which rivers flow, to dwell therein for aye; God shall be well pleased with them, and they with Him! that is for him who fears his Lord! THe CHAPTER OF THE EARTHQUAKE. (XCIX. Place of origin doubtful.) In the name of the merciful and compassionate God. | When the earth shall quake with its quaking ! And the earth shall bring forth her burdens, and man shall say, ‘What ails her!’ On that day she shall tell her tidings, [5] because thy Lord inspires her. On the day when men shall come up in separate

bands to show their works: and he who does the weight of an atom of good shall see it! and he who does the weight of an atom of evil shall see it! THE CHAPTER OF THE CHARGERS. H(Gy Mecca, In the name of the merciful and compassionate By the snorting chargers! And those who strike fire with their hoofs ! And those who make incursions in the morning, And raise up dust therein, [5] And cleave through a host therein! Verily, man is to his Lord ungrateful ; and, verily, he is a witness of that. Verily, he is keen in his love of good. Does he not know when the tombs are exposed, [10] and what is in the breasts is brought to light ? Verily, thy Lord upon that day indeed is well THe CHAPTER OF THE SMITING. In the name of the merciful and compassionate God. What is the smiting? And what shall make thee know what the smiting is? The day when men shall be like scattered moths ; and the mountains shall be like flocks of carded wool ! 340 THE QUR'AN. Cl, 5-CIH, 3. [5] And as for him whose balance is heavy, he shall be in a well-pleasing life.

But as for him whose balance is light, his dwelling shall be the pit of hell?. And who shall make thee know what it is ?—a burning fire! Tue CHAPTER OF THE CONTENTION ABOUT NUMBERS. (CII. Place of origin doubtful.) In the name of the merciful and compassionate The contention about numbers deludes you till ye visit the tombs?! Not so! Inthe end ye shall know! And again not so! In the end ye shall know! [5] Not so! Did ye but know with certain knowledge! Ye shall surely see hell! And again ye shall surely see it with an eye of certainty. Then ye shall surely be asked about pleasure® !

In the name of the merciful and compassionate God. By the afternoon! verily, man is in loss! save ‘ El Hawiyeh, see Introduction, p. Ixx. * The commentators say that in one of the frequent contentions about the respective nobility of the Arab tribes, that the Abu Menaf clan disputed with that of Sahm, which was the most numerous, and the latter, having lost many men in battle, declared that their dead should be taken into account as well as the living. * That is, the pleasures of this life. * Or, ‘the age.’ those who believe and do right, and bid each other be true, and bid each other be patient. Tue CHAPTER OF THE BACKBITER.

In the name of the merciful and compassionate God. Woe to every slanderous backbiter, who collects wealth and counts it. He thinks that his wealth can immortalize him. Not so! he shall be hurled into El ‘Hu¢amah! [5] And what shall make thee understand what El ‘Hu¢amah! is ?—the fire of God kindled; which rises above the hearts. Verily, it is an archway over them on long-drawn columns. Tue CHAPTER OF THE ELEPHANT.

In the name of the merciful and compassionate God. Hast thou not seen what thy Lord did with the fellows of the elephant? ? Did He not make their stratagem lead them astray, and send down on them birds in flocks, to throw down on them stones of baked clay, [5] and make them like blades of herbage eaten down ? + See Introduction, p. Ixx. 2 Abrahat el Asram, an Abyssinian Christian, and viceroy of the king of Sanaa in Yemen in the year in which Mohammed was born, marched with a large army and some elephants upon Mecca, with the intention of destroying the Kaabah. He was defeated and his army destroyed in so sudden a manner as to have given rise to the Tue CHAPTER OF THE QurRA\s.

In the name of the merciful and compassionate For the uniting of the Qurdais; uniting them for the caravan of winter and summer. So let them serve the Lord of this house who feeds them against hunger and makes them safe against fear}. Tue CHaptTer oF ‘ NECESSARIES. (CVII. Place of origin doubtful.) In the name of the merciful and compassionate God. Hast thou considered him who calls the judgment a lie? He it is who pushes the orphan away ; and urges not (others) to feed the poor. But woe to those who pray [5] and who are careless in their prayers, Who pretend and withhold necessaries 2. Tue CuapTer or Ex KAuTuar. (CVIIT. Mecca.) _ In the name of the merciful and compassionate God. Verily, we have given thee E] Kauruar?; legend embodied in the text. It is conjectured that small-pox broke out amongst his men. * See Introduction, p. xvi. Some connect the first sentence with the last chapter. * Or, ‘alms.’ The word might be rendered ‘resources.’ * The word signifies ‘abundance.’ It is also the name of a river in Paradise.

So pray to thy Lord and slaughter (victims). Verily, he who hates thee shall be childless *. Tue CHAPTER OF MISBELIEVERS. (ere Nleeca) In the name of the merciful and compassionate Say, ‘O ye misbelievers! I do not serve what ye serve; nor will ye serve what I serve; nor will I serve what ye serve; [5] nor will ye serve what I serve;—ye have your religion, and I have my Tue CHAPTER OF HELP.

In the name of the merciful and compassionate When there comes God’s help and victory, And thou shalt see men enter into God's religion by troops, Then celebrate the praises of thy Lord, and ask forgiveness of Him, verily, He is relentant! Tue CuHapTeR oF Abu LAHEB?. (EXCL Weecea:) In the name of the merciful and compassionate God. Abu Laheb’s two hands shall perish, and he shall 1 This is directed against As ibn Wail, who, when Mohammed's son El Qasim died, called him abtar, which means ‘ docktailed,’ i.e. childless. 2 See Introduction, p. xxviii. Abu Laheb, ‘the father of the flame,’ 2AA THE QURAN. ~~ CXI, 2—CXIII, «. His wealth shall not avail him, nor what he has earned ! He shall broil in a fire that flames!, and his wife carrying faggots !—[5]on her neck a cord of palm Hotes THe CHapTer oF Unity’. (CXII. Place of origin doubtful.) In the name of the merciful and compassionate God. Say, ‘He is God alone ! God the Eternal! He begets not and is not begotten! Nor is there like unto Him any one!’ THE CHAPTER OF THE DAYBREAK. (CXIII. Place of origin doubtful.) In the name of the merciful and compassionate God.

Say, ‘I seek refuge in the Lord of the daybreak, from the evil of what He has created; and from the evil of the night when it cometh on*; and from the evil of the blowers upon knots‘; [5]and from the evil of the envious when he envies.’ was the nickname of ‘Abd el ’Huzz4, uncle of Mohammed, and a bitter opponent of Isl4m. ' A pun upon his name. * The chapter is generally known in Arabic by the name of El I'/las, ‘ clearing oneself, i.e. of belief in any but one God. © Or according to a traditional explanation given by the prophet to ‘Ayeshah, ‘the moon when it is eclipsed.’ * Witches who make knots in string and blow upon them, uttering at the same time some magical formula and the name of the persons they wish to injure.

— relations to their adopted children, II, 144. — sacred months not to be put off, bya 78 tI: — superstitious, II, 7n1. — superstitious about entering houses by the doors on their return from Mecca, I, 27 n1. “Arafat, Ixxiv; I, 29. Arafat, Mount, xliv. Archangels, Ixix. ‘Arish, I, 133 n2. a0) Gam ae bee Bt oP Ar Rahman, Ixi; II, 13 nz. Ashram, Abraha, the, xviii; II, 341n. Athar, I, 124. Athar Nagat en Nebi, I, 147 n1. AUS) REX RXXIV oXXNIx: Uo So7gr ¢ Ts, hd E783 30,1255. Ayatu ’] Kursiy, I, 4on1. ‘Ayeshah, xliv; II, 74 n2, 75 n1,77 . 15, 290, 3070, 344 Nn. Azar, I, 124. Baal, priests of, I, 68 n 2. Babel, tower of, I, 253. Babylon, I, 14,14 n 2. Ba‘hirah, I, 112, 112 nt. Ba‘/tnazr, I, 41 n1. Baidbavi, Ixxx: I, 33 nit, t77 n ¥$ 11,328, 0. Bait allah, xiii; I, 17 n2. Balaam, I, 159 nt. Bedawin, modern, xiv; I, 147 n1, Bedr, battle of, xxxvi, xxxvii; I, 47 ni, 61, 66n1, 86n1, 165 n7, 171n1; II, 2on1, 62n2, 70n2, 257, 274N, 276. Bee, similitude of, I, 4 n 3. Bekkah, xvi; I, 58.

THe CHAPTER OF MeEn. (CXIV. Place of origin doubtful.) In the name of the merciful and compassionate God. Say, ‘I seek refuge in the Lord of men, the King of men, the God of men, from the evil of the whisperer!, who slinks off, [5] who whispers into the hearts of men!—from ginns and men!’