[a] The first five verses of this chapter, ending with the words, Who taught man that which he knew not, are generally allowed to be the first passage of the Korân which was revealed, tho’ some give this honour to the 74th chapter, and others to the first, the next, they say, being the 68th.

[b] Of congealed blood;] All men being created of thick or concreted blood ^[1] , except only Adam, Eve, and Jesus ^[2] .

[1] See chap. 22. p. 274.

[2] Yahya

[c] Read, by thy most beneficent Lord;] These words, containing a repetition of the command, are supposed to be a reply to Mohammed, who, in answer to the former words spoken by the angel, had declared that he could not read, being perfectly illiterate; and intimate a promise that God, who had inspired man with the art of writing, would graciously remedy this defect in him ^[3] .

[3] Al Beidawi.

[d] Verily man becometh insolent, &c.] The commentators agree the remaining part of the chapter to have been revealed against Abu Jahl, Mohammed’s great adversary.

[e] He who forbiddeth our servant when he prayeth;] For Abu Jahl threatened that if he caught Mohammed in the act of adoration, he would set his foot on his neck; but when he came and saw him in that posture, he suddenly turned back as in a fright, and, being asked what was the matter, said there was a ditch of fire between himself and Mohammed, and a terrible appearance of troops, to defend him ^[4]

[4] Idem.

[f] See chap. 11. p. 181. not. h.

[g] Let him call his council;] i.e. The council or assembly of the principal Meccans, the far greater part of whom adhered to Abu Jahl.