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

296 AL KORAN. CHAF. xxv.
from the assembly, taking shelter behind one another. But let those who
withstand his command take heed, lest some calamity befall them in this
world, or a grievous punishment be inflicted on them in the life to come.
Doth not whatever is in heaven and on earth belong unto God ] He well
knoweth what ye are about : and on a certain day they shall be assembled
before him ; and he shall declare unto them that which they have done y
for God knoweth all things.
CHAPTER XXV.
INTITLED, AL FORKAN ; REVEALED AT MECCA.
IN THE NAME OF THE MOST MEKCIFUL GOD,
Blessed be he who hath revealed the Forkan° unto his servant, that he
may be a preacher to all creatures ; unto whom belongeth tlie kingdom of
heaven and of earth : who hath begotten no issue ; and hath no partner in
his kingdom : who hath created all things, and disposed the same according
to his determinate will.* Yet have they taken otfoer gods besides him .
which have created nothing, but are themselves created ;P and are able
neither to avert evil from, nor to procure good unto themselves ; and have
not the power of death, or of life, or of raising the dead. And the
unbelievers say, This Koran is no other than a forgery which he hath con-
trived ; and other people have assisted him therein •.'^ but they utter au
unjust thing, and a falsehood. They also say. These are fables of the
ancients, which he hath caused to be written down ; and they are dictated
unto him morning and evening. Say, He hath revealed it, who knoweth
the secrets in heaven and earth : verily he is gracious awe/ merciful. And
they say, What Idnd of apostle is this ? He eateth food, and walketh
in the streets,"^ as we do : unless au angel be sent down unto him,
not light of the apostle's summons, as ye would of another person's of equal condi-
tion with yourselves, by not obeying it, or by departing out of, or coming into his
presence, without leave first obtained; or, Think not that when the apostle calls
upon God in prayer, it is with him, as with you, when ye jirefer a petition to a su-
perior, who sometimes grants, but as often denies your suit; or. Call not to the
apostle, as ye do to one another, that is, by name, or familiarly and with a loud
voice ; but make use of some honourable compellation, as, O apostle of God, or, O
prophet of God, and speak in an humble modest manner.*
" Which is one of tlie names of the Koran. See the Prelim. Disc. sect. iii. p. 40.
• " By Him all that existeth was drawn from nothing, and he preserveth it
harmonious order." — Savary.
P Being either the heavenly bodies, or idols, the works of men's hands.
<> See chap. 16, p. 223. It is supposed the Jews are particularly intended in this
jdace; because they used to repeat passages of ancient history to Mohammed, on
which he used to discourse and make observat-ous.^
■■ Being subject to the same wants and infirmities of nature, and obliged to sub-
mit to the same low means of supporting himself and his family, with ourselves.
The Meccans were acquainted with Mohammed, and with his circumstances and
way of life, too well to change their old familiarity into the reverence due to the
messenger of God: for a prophet hath no honour in his own country.
" Al Beidawi, Jallalo'ddin, &c. * Al BeidawL