J. F. Campbell Collection > Koran: or, Alcoran of Mohammed

CHAP. XXII. AL KORAN. 279
who endeavour to make our signs of none effect shall he the inhabitants ol
hell. We have sent no apostle, or prophet, before thee, but, when he read,
Satan suggested some error in his reading.*^ But God sliall make void that
which Satan hath suggested : then shall God confirm his signs; for GoD /s
knowing and wise. £ut this lie permitteth, that he may make that which
Satan hath suggested, a temptation unto those in whose hearts there is an
intirmity, and whose hearts are hardened (for the ungodly are certainly in a
wide disagreement yro7?i ^/te ^ru</<).* and that they on whom knowledge
hath been bestowed may know that this book is the truth from thy Lord,
and may believe therein; and that their hearts may acquiesce in the same :
for God is surely the director of those who believe, into the right way. But
the infidels will not cease to doubt concerning it, until the hour 0/ judg-
ment Cometh suddenly upon them; or until the punishment of a grievous
day" overtake them. On that day the kingdom shall be God's : he shall
iudge between them.* And they who shall have believed, and shall have
wrought righteousness, shall be in gardens of pleasure; but they who shall
have disbelieved, and shall have cluirged our signs with falsehood, those
shall suffer a shameful punishment. And as to those who shall have fled
their country for the sake of God's true religion, and afterwards shall have
been slain, or shall have died; on them will God bestow an excellent
provision; and God is the best provider. He will surely introduce them
with an introduction with which they shall be well pleased : f for God is
knowing and gi-acious. This is so. Whoever shall take a vengeance equal
to the injury which hath been done him, ^' and shall afterwards be unjustly
treated;^ verily God will assist him : for God is merciful, and ready to
forgive. This shall be done, for that God causeth the night to succeed the
* The occasion of the passanfe is thus related. Mohammed one day reading tlie
53rd chapter of the Koran, when he came to this verse, What think ye o/Allat, and
al Uzza, and of Manah the other third goddess ? the devil put the following words into
his mouth, which he pronounced through inadvertence, or, as some tell us, because
he was then half asleep,' viz These are the most high and beauteous damsels whose
intercession is to be hoped /or. The Koreish, who were sitting near Mohammed,
greatly rejoiced at what they had heard, and when he had finished the chapter,
joined with him and his followers in making their adoration : but the prophet being
acquainted by the angel Gabriel with the reason of their compliance, and with what
he had uttered, was deeply concerned at his mistake, till this verse was revealed for
his consolation.'
We are told however by al Beid^wi, that the more intelligent and accurate persons
reject the atoresaid story; and the verb, here translated read, signifying also to
wish for any thing, they interpret the passage of the suggestions of the devil to de-
bauch the affections of these holy persons, or to employ their minds in vain wishes
and desires.
" Or, a day which mnkeih childless; by which some great misfortune in war is
expressed : as the overthrow the infidels received at Bedr. Some suppose the re-
surrection is here intended.
* " Then will the balance be ia the hand of God. He will judge between
mortals." — Savaiy.
■\ " He will introduce them into an abode that shall enchant them. He is wise
and gracious." — Savary.
'And shall not take a more severe revenge than the fact deserves.
» By the aggressor's seeking to revenge himself again of the person injured, by
offering him some further violence.
The passage seems to relate to the vengeance which the Moslems should take of
the infidels, for their unjust persecution of them.
I
1 Tabva. ' Al Beidawi, Jallalo'ddin, Yahya, &c. See chap. 16, p. 223