Chapter 98

ENTITLED, THE SUN; REVEALED AT MECCA.

IN THE NAME OF THE MOST MERCIFUL GOD.

BY the Sun, and its rising brightness; by the moon when she followeth him;y by the day, when it showeth its splendor; by the night, when it covereth him with darkness; by the heaven, and him who built it; by the earth, and him who spread it forth; by the soul, and him who completely formed it, and inspired into the same its faculty of distinguishing, and power of choosing, wickedness and piety:

n Or, I will not swear, &c. See chapter 56, p. 398, note m. o viz., The sacred territory of Mecca. p 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 q Some understand these words generally; others of Adam or Abraham, and of their offspring, and of Mohammed in particular.2 r Or, to trouble. This passage was revealed to comfort the prophet under the persecutions of the Koreish.3 s 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;4 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, though they tore the skin to pieces.5 t In a vain and ostentatious manner, or in opposing of Mohammed.6 u See chapter 56, p. 396. x See ibid. y i.e., When she rises just after him, as she does at the beginning of the month; or when she gets after him, as happens when she is a little past the full.7

1 Idem. 2 Idem. 3 Idem. 4 Al Zamakh. 5 Al Beidâwi. 6 Idem. 7 Idem.

now is he who hath purified the same, happy; 10 but he who hath corrupted the same, is miserable. Thamud accused their prophet Saleh of imposture, through the excess of their wickedness: when the wretchz among them was sent to slay the camel; and the apostle of GOD said unto them, Let alone the camel of GOD; and hinder not her drinking. But they charged him with imposture; and they slew her. Wherefore their LORD destroyed them, for their crime, and made their punishment equal unto them all: and he feareth not the issue thereof.

________