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Sale, 1734

CHAP. XC.

Intitled, The Territory; revealed at Mecca.


In the name of the most merciful God.
I Swear [a] by this territory [b] , (and thou, O prophet, residest in this territory [c] ,) and by the begetter, and that which he hath begotten [d] ; verily we have created man in misery [e] . Doth he think that none shall prevail [492] over him [a] ? He saith, I have wasted plenty of riches [b] . Doth he think that none seeth him? Have we not made him two eyes, and a tongue, and two lips; and shown him the two highways of good and evil? Yet he attempteth not the cliff. What shall make thee to understand what the cliff is? It is to free the captive; or to feed, in the day of famine, the orphan who is of kin, or the poor man who lieth on the ground. Whoso doth this, and is one of those who believe, and recommend perseverance unto each other, and recommend mercy unto each other; these shall be the companions of the right-hand [c] . But they who shall disbelieve our signs shall be the companions of the left-hand [d] : above them shall be arched fire.

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[a] I swear;] Or, I will not swear, &c. See chap. 56. p. 436. not. f.

[b] The territory;] Viz. The sacred territory of Mecca.

[c] And thou residest in this territory;] Or, Thou shalt be allowed to do what thou pleasest in this territory; the words, in this sense, importing a promise of that absolute power which Mohammed attained, on the taking of Mecca. [1]

[1] Idem.

[d] By the begetter, and that which he hath begotten;] Some understand these words generally; others of Adam or Abraham, and of their offspring, and of Mohammed in particular [2] .

[2] Idem.

[e] We have created man in misery;] Or, to trouble. This passage was revealed to comfort the prophet under the persecutions of the Koreish. [3]

[3] Idem.

[a] Doth he think that none shall prevail over him? Some expositors take a particular person to be here intended, who was one of Mohammed’s most inveterate adversaries; as Al Walid Ebn al Mogheira [1] ; others suppose Abu’l Ashadd Ebn Calda to be the man, who was so very strong, that a large skin being spread under his feet, and ten men pulling at it, they could not make him fall, tho’ they tore the skin to pieces [2] .

[1] Al Zamakh.

[2] Al Beidawi.

[b] I have wasted plenty of riches;] In a vain and ostentatious manner; or, in opposing of Mohammed [3] .

[3] Idem.

[c] See chap. 56. p. 434.

[d] See ibid.