The Online Library of Liberty

A project of Liberty Fund, Inc.

• The QurÁn.
• Chapter Xli.: Entitled Surat Al Fussilat (explanation). Revealed At Makkah.
• Chapter Xlii.: Entitled Surat Al ShorÍ (consultation). Revealed At Makkah.
• Chapter Xliii.: Entitled Surat Al ZuḲhrÁf (the Ornaments of Gold). Revealed At Makkah.
• Chapter Xliv.: Entitled Surat Al DuḲhan (smoke). Revealed At Makkah.
• Chapter Xlv.: Entitled Surat Al JÁsÍyah (kneeling). Revealed At Makkah.
• Chapter Xlvi.: Entitled Surat Al AhqÁf (the Sandhills). Revealed At Makkah.
• Chapter Xlvii.: Entitled Surat Muhammad. Revealed At Madína.
• Chapter Xlviii.: Entitled Surat Al Fatah (victory). Revealed At Madína.
• Chapter Xlix.: Entitled Surat Al HujrÁt (the Inner Apartments). Revealed At Madína.
• Chapter L.: Entitled Surat Al QÁf (q.). Revealed At Makkah.
• Chapter Li.: Entitled Surat Al ZÁriyÁt (the Dispersing). Revealed At Makkah.
• Chapter Lii.: Entitled Surat Al TÚr (the Mountain). Revealed At Makkah.
• Chapter Liii.: Entitled Surat Al Najm (the Star). Revealed At Makkah.
• Chapter Liv.: Entitled Surat Al Qamr (the Moon). Revealed At Makkah
• Chapter Lv.: Entitled Surat Al RahmÁn (the Merciful). Revealed At Makkah.
• Chapter Lvi.: Entitled Surat Al WÁqÍa (the Inevitable). Revealed At Makkah.
• Chapter Lvii.: Entitled Surat Al HadÍd (iron). Revealed At Madína.
• Chapter Lviii.: Entitled Surat Al MujÁdalah (she Who Disputed). Revealed At Madína.
• Chapter Lix.: Entitled Surat Al Hashr (the Emigration). Revealed At Madína.
• Chapter Lx.: Entitled Surat Al Mumtahina (she Who Is Tried). Revealed At Madína.
• Chapter Lxi.: Entitled Surat Al Saf (battle-array). Revealed At Madína.
• Chapter Lxii.: Entitled Surat Al Juma (the Assembly). Revealed At Madína.
• Chapter Lxiii.: Entitled Surat Al MunÁfiqÚn (the Hypocrites). Revealed At Madína.
• Chapter Lxiv.: Entitled Surat Al TaghabÚn (mutual Deceit). Revealed At Madína.
• Chapter Lxv.: Entitled Surat Al TalÁq (divorce). Revealed At Madína.
• Chapter Lxvi.: Entitled Surat Al TahrÍm (prohibition). Revealed At Madína.
• Chapter Lxvii.: Entitled Surat Al Mulk (the Kingdom). Revealed At Makkah.
• Chapter Lxviii.: Entited Surat Al Qalam (the Pen). Revealed At Makkah.
• Chapter Lxix.: Entitled Surat Al HÁqqat (the Infallible). Revealed At Makkah.
• Chapter Lxx.: Entitled Surat Al MaÁrij (the Steps). Revealed At Makkah.
• Chapter Lxxi.: Entitled Surat NÚh (noah). Revealed At Makkah.
• Chapter Lxxii.: Entitled Surat Al Jinn (the Genii). Revealed At Makkah.
• Chapter Lxxiii.: Entitled Surat Al Muzzammil (wrapped Up). Revealed At Makkah.
• Chapter Lxxiv.: Entitled Surat Al Muddassir (the Covered). Revealed At Makkah.
• Chapter Lxxv.: Entitled Surat Al QÍyÁmat (the Resurrection). Revealed At Makkah.
• Chapter Lxxvi.: Entitled Surat Al InsÁn (man). Revealed At Makkah.
• Chapter Lxxvii.: Entitled Surat Al MursalÁt (the Messengers). Revealed At Makkah.
• Chapter Lxxviii.: Entitled Surat Al NabÁ (the News). Revealed At Makkah.
• Chapter Lxxix.: Entitled Surat Al NÁziÁt (those Who Tear Forth). Revealed At Makkah.
• Chapter Lxxx.: Entitled Surat Al Abas (he Frowned). Revealed At Makkah.
• Chapter Lxxxi.: Entitled Surat Al TakwÍr (the Folding Up). Revealed At Makkah.
• Chapter Lxxxii.: Entitled Surat Al InfitÁr (the Cleaving In Sunder). Revealed At Makkah.
• Chapter Lxxxiii.: Entitled Surat Al TatfÍf (those Who Give Short Measure). Revealed At Makkah.
• Chapter Lxxxiv.: Entitled Surat Al InshiqÁq (the Rending In Sunder). Revealed At Makkah.
• Chapter Lxxxv.: Entitled Surat Al BurÚj (the Celestial Signs). Revealed At Makkah.
• Chapter Lxxxvi.: Entitled Surat Al TÁriq (the Star Which Appeared By Night). Revealed At Makkah.
• Chapter Lxxxvii.: Entitled Surat Al ÁlÁ (the Most High). Revealed At Makkah.
• Chapter Lxxxviii.: Entitled Surat Al GhÁshiya (the Overwhelming). Revealed At Makkah.
• Chapter Lxxxix.: Entitled Surat Al Fajr (the Daybreak). Revealed At Makkah.
• Chapter XC.: Entitled Surat Al Balad (the Territory). Revealed At Makkah.
• Chapter XCI.: Entitled Surat Al Shams (the Sun). Revealed At Makkah.
• Chapter XCII.: Entitled Surat Al Lail (the Night). Revealed At Makkah.
• Chapter XCIII.: Entitled Surat Al ZuhÁ (the Brightness). Revealed At Makkah.
• Chapter XCIV.: Entitled Surat Al InshirÁh (have We Not Opened?). Revealed At Makkah.
• Chapter XCV.: Entitled Surat Al TÍn (the Fig). Revealed At Makkah.
• Chapter XCVI.: Entitled Surat Al Alaq (congealed Blood). Revealed At Makkah.
• Chapter XCVII.: Entitled Surat Al Qadr (night of Power). Revealed At Makkah.
• Chapter XCVIII.: Entitled Surat Al Baiyana (the Evidence). Revealed At Madína.
• Chapter XCIX.: Entitled Surat Al ZilzÁl (the Earthquake). Revealed At Makkah.
• Chapter C.: Entitled Surat Al AdiyÁt (the War-horses Which Run Swiftly). Revealed At Makkah.
• Chapter CI.: Entitled Surat Al QÁrÍa (the Striking). Revealed At Makkah.
• Chapter CII.: Entitled Surat Al TakÁsur (the Emulous Desire of Multiplying). Revealed At Makkah.
• Chapter CIII.: Entitled Surat Al Asar (the Afternoon). Revealed At Makkah.
• Chapter CIV.: Entitled Surat Al Hamza (the Slanderer). Revealed At Makkah.
• Chapter CV.: Entitled Surat Al FÍl (the Elephant). Revealed At Makkah.
• Chapter CVI.: Entitled Surat Al Quraish (the Quraish). Revealed At Makkah.
• Chapter CVII.: Entitled Surat Al MÁÚn (necessaries). Revealed At Makkah.
• Chapter CVIII.: Entitled Surat Al Kauthar (abundance). Revealed At Makkah.
• Chapter CIX.: Entitled Surat Al KÁfirÚn (the Unbelievers). Revealed At Makkah.
• Chapter CX.: Entitled Surat Al Nasr (assistance). Revealed At Madína.
• Chapter CXI.: Entitled Surat Al Abu Lahab. Revealed At Makkah.
• Chapter CXII.: Entitled Surat Al IḲhlÁs (declaration of God’s Unity). Revealed At Makkah.
• Chapter CXIII.: Entitled Surat Al Falaq (the Daybreak). Revealed At Makkah.
• Chapter CXIV.: Entitled Surat Al NÁs (men). Revealed At Makkah.

CHAPTER LXXIV.

ENTITLED SURAT AL MUDDASSIR (THE COVERED).

Revealed at Makkah.

INTRODUCTION.

This chapter is regarded by some writers as the very first which was revealed (Sale’s note on ver. 1), but the preponderance of evidence is in favour of chapter xcvi. It is, therefore, given the second place by Noeldeke, Rodwell, and Palmer. This place is not, however, accorded to any but the first seven verses. The interval between the revelation of chapter xcvi. and that of these verses is called by Muslims the Fatrah or Intermission, the duration of which “is variously held to have lasted from six months to three years” (Muir’s Life of Mahomet, vol. ii. pp. 85, 86). The remaining portion of the chapter belongs to a later Makkan period, excepting vers. 31-34, which undoubtedly belong to Madína. We find in these verses allusion to all the parties prominent in Madína Suras; the Jews, or “they to whom the Scriptures have been given;” the Muslims, or “the true believers;” the hypocrites, or “those in whose hearts there is an infirmity;” and the idolaters, or “the unbelievers.” Muir gives this chapter the twentieth place in his chronological list of Suras.

Probable Date of the Revelations.

From what has been said above we may safely assign vers. 1-7 to the earliest period of Muhammad’s ministry. Vers. 8-30 and 35-55 probably mark the period of early opposition to Muhammad by the Quraish in the third year of his public ministry (see Muir’s Life of Mahomet, vol. ii. pp. 79, 80). The Madínic section, vers. 31-34, Noeldeke thinks should be assigned to a period soon after the Híjra, owing to the kindly mention of the Jews, whom Muhammad, soon after his arrival at Madína, found to be his most inveterate enemies.

Principal Subjects.

IN THE NAME OF THE MOST MERCIFUL GOD.

∥ (1) O thou covered, arise (2) and preach, (3) and magnify thy Lord. (4) And cleanse thy garments: (5) and fly every abomination: (6) and be not liberal in hopes to receive more in return: (7) and patiently wait for thy Lord. (8) When the trumpet shall sound, (9) verily that day shall be a day of distress, (10) and uneasiness unto the unbelievers. (11) Let me alone with him whom I have created, (12) on whom I have bestowed abundant riches, (13) and children dwelling in his presence, (14) and for whom I have disposed affairs in a smooth and easy manner, (15) and who desireth that I will yet add other blessings unto him.(16) By no means; because he is an adversary to our signs. (17) I will afflict him with grievous calamities: (18) for he hath devised and prepared contumelious expressions to ridicule the Qurán. (19) May he be cursed: how maliciously hath he prepared the same! (20) And again, may he be cursed: how maliciously hath he prepared the same! (21) Then he looked, (22) and frowned, and put on an austere countenance; (23) then he turned back, and was elated with pride; (24) and he said, This is no other than a piece of magic, borrowed from others: (25) these are only the words of a man. (26) I will cast him to be burned in hell. (27) And what shall make thee to understand what hell is? (28) It leaveth not anything unconsumed, neither doth it suffer anything to escape; (29) it scorcheth men’s flesh: (30) over the same are nineteen angels appointed.(31) We have appointed none but angels to preside over hell-fire; and we have expressed the number of them only for an occasion of discord to the unbelievers; that they to whom the Scriptures have been given may be certain of the veracity of this book, and the true believers may increase in faith; (32) and that those to whom the Scriptures have been given, and the true believers, may not doubt hereafter; (33) and that those in whose hearts there is an infirmity, and the unbelievers, may say, What mystery doth God intend by this number?(34) Thus doth God cause to err whom he pleaseth; and he directeth whom he pleaseth. None knoweth the armies of thy Lord besides him; and this is no other than a memento unto mankind.

∥ (35) Assuredly. By the moon, (36) and the night when it retreateth, (37) and the morning when it reddeneth, (38) I swear that this is one of the most terrible calamities, (39) giving warning unto men, (40) as well as unto him among you who desireth to go forward, as untohim who chooseth to remain behind. (41) Every soul is given in pledge for that which it shall have wrought: except the companions of the right hand; (42) who shall dwell in gardens, and shall ask one another questions concerning the wicked, (43) and shall also ask the wicked themselves, saying, What hath brought you into hell? (44) They shall answer, We were not of those who were constant at prayer, (45) neither did we feed the poor; (46) and we waded in vain disputes with the fallacious reasoners; (47) and we denied the day of judgment, (48) until death overtook us; (49) and the intercession of the interceders shall not avail them. (50) What aileth them, therefore, that they turn aside from the admonition of the Qurán, (51) as though they were timorous asses flying from a lion? (52) But every man among them desireth that he may have expanded scrolls delivered to him from God. (53) By no means. They fear not the life to come. (54) By no means: verily this is a sufficient warning. (55) Whoso is willing to be warned, him shall it warn: but they shall not be warned, unless God shall please. He is worthy to be feared, and he is inclined to forgiveness.

[(1) ]Thou covered. “It is related, from Muhammad’s own mouth, that, being on Mount Hira, and hearing himself called, he looked on each hand and saw nobody: but looking upwards, he saw the Angel Gabriel on a throne between heaven and earth: at which sight, being much terrified, he returned to his wife Khadíjah and bid her cover him up; and that then the angel descended and addressed him in the words of the text. From hence some think this chapter to have been the first which was revealed; but the more received opinion is that it was the 96th. Others say that the Prophet, having been reviled by certain of the Quraish, was sitting in a melancholy and pensive posture, wrapped up in his mantle, when Gabriel accosted him; and some say he was sleeping.”—Sale. See note to the preceding chapter on ver. 1.

See Rodwell in loco

[(2) ]Preach. “It is generally supposed that Muhammad is here commanded more especially to warn his near relations, the Quarish, as he is expressly ordered to do in a subsequent revelation.”—Sale.

See note on chap. xxvi. 214, and Prelim. Disc., p. 76.

[(5) ]Abomination. “By the word ‘abomination’ the commentators generally agree idolatry to be principally intended.”—Sale.

[(11) ]Let me alone with him, &c. “The person here meant is generally supposed to have been al Walíd Ibn al Mughaira, a principal man among the Quraish.”—Sale, Baidháwi, &c.

[(12, 13) ]Riches and children, &c. “Being well provided for, and not obliged to go abroad to seek their livings, as most others of the Makkans were.”—Sale.

[(14) ]A smooth and easy manner. “By facilitating his advancement to power and dignity, which were so considerable that he was surnamed Rihána Quraish, i.e., ‘The sweet odour of the Quraish,’ and Al Walíd, i.e., ‘The only one,’ or ‘The incomparable.’ ”—Sale, Baidháwi.

[(16) ]By no means, &c. “On the revelation of this passage it is said that Walíd’s prosperity began to decay, and continued daily so to do to the time of his death.”—Sale, Baidháwi.

[(17) ]Calamities. “Or, as the words may be strictly rendered, ‘I will drive him up the crag of a mountain:’ which some understand of a mountain of fire, agreeably to a tradition of their Prophet importing that al Walíd will be condemned to ascend this mountain, and then to be cast down from thence alternately for ever; and that he will be seventy years in climbing up and as many in falling down.”—Sale, Baidháwi, &c.

[(24, 25) ]See note on chaps. vi. 24, xvi. 105.

[(31) ]None but angels. “The reason of which is said to be, that they might be of a different nature and species from those who are to be tormented, lest they should have a fellow-feeling of, and compassionate their sufferings; or else because of their great strength and severity of temper.”—Sale, Baidháwi.

This passage up to ver. 35, “evidently produced many years after” the above, is interposed “in reply to certain objections raised, as it would appear, by the Jews respecting the number of the infernal guard.”—Muir’s Life of Mahomet, vol. ii. p. 78, note.

For an occasion of discord. “Or, ‘for a trial of them;’ because they might say this was a particular borrowed by Muhammad of the Jews.”—Sale.

[(32) ]Those to whom the Scriptures, &c. “And especially the Jews; this being conformable to what is contained in their books.”—Sale, Jaláluddín.

[(34) ]Armies of the Lord, i.e., “all his creatures; or particularly the number and strength of the guards of hell.”—Sale.

The allusion is probably to the armies of angels said to have assisted the Muslims at Badr and Hunain, of whom the “nineteen” are but a “memento unto mankind.”

And this. “The antecedent seems to be ‘hell.’ ”—Sale. I should say it was “number,” the same being supplied by Sale himself in ver. 33.

[(41) ]Every soul, &c. See note on chap. lii. 21.

Companions of the right hand, i.e., “the blessed, who shall redeem themselves by their good works. Some say these are the angels, and others, such as die infants.”—Sale, Baidháwi.

See note on chap. lvi. 8, 9.

[(48) ]Death. “Literally, that which is certain.”—Sale.

[(52) ]Expanded scrolls, &c. “For the infidels told Muhammad that they would never obey him as a prophet till he brought each man a writing from heaven to this effect, viz., ‘From God to such a one: Follow Muhammad.’ ”—Sale, Baidháwi.