Note [original edition] : The dividers;] Some interpret the original word, the
obstructers, who hindered men
from entering
Mecca, to visit the temple, lest they should be persuaded to
embrace
Islâm: and this, it is said, was done by ten men, who were all slain
at
Bedr. Others translate the word,
who bound themselves by oath; and suppose
certain
Thamûdites, who swore to kill
Saleh 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
Korân, and disapproved of others, according
to their prejudices; or else to the unbelieving
Meccans, some of whom called
the
Korân a piece of witchcraft; others, flights of divination; others, old
stories; and others, a poetical composition
1.