Sura 29

1. See Sura lxviii. The first ten verses of this Sura were revealed at Medina, after the battles of Bedr and Ohod. Nold, p. 115.

2. Deities for whose worship thou canst show no authority. Comp. Tr. Jebhamoth, fol. 6. If a father saith to his son, “Defile thyself,” or saith, “Make not restitution,” shall he obey him? It is said (Lev. xix. 3), Let every man reverence his father and mother, but keep my Sabbaths all of you: ye are all bound to honor me. Thus also Midr. Jalkut, 604. Comp. next Sura, v. 13.

3. The word SAY— the usual address of God or Gabriel to Muhammad — must either be considered as spoken by God to Abraham, in which case we have a curious instance of the manner in which Muhammad identifies himself with Abraham, and makes Abraham speak in words which he constantly elsewhere uses himself; or, with Wahl, we must suppose that from v. 17 to v. 22 are misplaced.

4. Comp. Ps. cxxxix. 7.

5. Lit. for love among yourselves, or as an object of love, i.e. devout worship.

6. Thus Sura xxi. 71. The Midr. Rabbah on Gen. Par. 18, says that Haran, the father of Lot, was brought by Abraham’s deliverance from the furnace to the adoption of his doctrines. Muhammad may have transferred this idea to Lot.

7. The following passages deserve to be compared, as showing the loose way in which Muhammad could speak of the relationship subsisting between Abraham and the other Patriarchs. See 38 below. Sura ii. 127; vi. 84; xix. 50; xxi 72; xii. 6. It is a curious coincidence that in the Sonna 398, 400, Joseph is said to be the Grandson, and Jacob the Son, of Abraham.

8. Lit. was straitened in regard to them.

9. See xi. 83.

10. So as to fly from our vengeance.

11. Lit. in truth.

12. With the Jews. This passage is quoted by modern Muslims in justification of their indifference with respect to the propagation of their religion. “The number of the faithful,” said one of them to Mr. Lane, “is decreed by God, and no act of man can increase or diminish it.” Mod. Egypt. i. p. 364.Noldeke supposes this verse to have been revealed at Medina, and renders, Contend not except in the best way, i.e. not by words but by force.

13. Idols.

14. That is, you may find places of refuge where you may worship the true God in some other parts of the earth, if driven forth from your native city. This verse is very indicative of a late Meccan origin. Flight from Mecca must have been imminent when Muhammad could thus write.

15. Lit. carry not. Comp. Matth. vi. 26; Luke xii. 24.

16. At Mecca.