Chapter 94

ENTITLED, THE MOST HIGH;k REVEALED AT MECCA.

IN THE NAME OF THE MOST MERCIFUL GOD.

PRAISE the name of thy LORD, the most high; who hath created, and completely formed his creatures:

f And preserved from the least change or corruption. See the Prelim. Disc. Sect. III. p. 50, and Sect. IV. p. 58. g Some take the words to signify any bright star, without restriction; but others think some particular star or stars to be thereby intended; which one supposes to be the morning star (peculiarly called al Târek, or the appearing by nights), another Saturn (that planet being by the Arabs surnamed al Thakeb, or the piercing, as it was by the Greeks, Phoenon, or the shining), and a third, the Pleiades. h i.e., From the loins of the man, and the breast-bones of the woman.1 i Or, as some expound it, Which performeth its periodic motion, returning to the point from whence it began the same. The words seem designed to express the alternate returns of the different seasons of the year. k Some take the first word of this chapter, viz., Praise, for its title.

1 Al Beidâwi, Yahya

and who determineth them to various ends,l and directeth them to attain the same;m and who produceth the pasture for cattle, and afterwards rendereth the same dry stubble of a dusky hue. We will enable thee to rehearse our revelations;n and thou shalt not forget any part thereof, except what GOD shall please;o for he knoweth that which is manifest, and that which is hidden. And we will facilitate unto thee the most easy way.p Wherefore admonish thy people, if thy admonition shall be profitable unto them. 10 Whoso feareth God, he will be admonished: but the most wretched unbeliever will turn away therefrom; who shall be cast to be broiled in the greater fire of hell, wherein he shall not die, neither shall he live. Now hath he attained felicity, who is purified by faith, and who remembereth the name of his LORD, and prayeth. But ye prefer this present life: yet the life to come is better, and more durable. Verily this is written in the ancient books, the books of Abraham and Moses.

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