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

138 AL KORAN. CHAP. via.
suggested unto thee, to divert tlieefrom thy duty, have recourse unto God :
for lie heareth and knoweth. Verily they who fear God, when a temptation
from Satan assaileth them, remember tloe divine commands, and behold, they
clearly see tlte danger of sin, and the wiles of the devil. But as for the
brethren of the devils, they shall continue them in error; and afterwards
they shall not preserve themselves therefrom. And when thou bringest not
a verse of the Koran unto them they say, Ilast thou not put it together?'
Answer, I follow that only which is revealed unto me from my LoKD.
This book containelh evident proofs from your LoKU, and is a direction and
mercy unto people who believe. And when the Koran is read, attend
thereto, and keep silence ; that ye may obtain mercy. And meditate on
thy Lord in thine own mind, with humility and feur, and without loud
speaking, evening and morning; and be not one of the negligent. More-
over ilie angds who are with my Lord do not proudly disdain his service,
but they celebrate his praise and worship him.
CHAPTER VIIL
INTITLED, THE SPOILS:* REVEiVLED AT MEDINA."
IN THE NAME OF THE MOST MERCIFUL GOD.
They will ask thee concerning the spoils : Answer, The division of tlia
spoils helongeth uiito God and the apostle.' Therefore fear God, and com-
pose the matter amicably among you : and obey God and his apostle, if ye
are ti-ue believere. Vei'ily the true believers are those whose hearts fear
when God is mentioned, and whose faith increaseth when his signs are
rehearsed unto them, and who trust in their Loud ; who observe the stated
f t. e. Ilast thou not yet contrived what to say; or canst thou obtain no revela-
tion from God?
s This chapter was occasioned by the high disputes which happened about the
division of the spoils taken at tlie battle of Bedr,* between the younjjf men, who had
fought, and the old men who had stayed under the ensigns; the former insisting they
ought to have the whole, and the latter, that they deserved a share.' To end the
contention, Mohammed pretended to have received orders from heaven to divide the
booty among them equally, having first taken thereout a fifth part for the purposes
which will be mentioned hereafter.
>> Except seven verses, beginning at these words, And call to mind when the un-
believers plotted against thee, 6fc. Which some think were revealed at Mecca.
' It is related that Saad Ebn Abi Wakkas, one of the comjianions, whose brother
Omair was slain in this battle, having killed Said Ebn al As, took his sword, and
carrying it to Mohammed, desired that he might be permitted to keep it; but the
prophet told him, that it was not his to give away, and ordered him to lay it with
the other spoils. At this repulse, and the loss of his brother, Saad was greatly
disturbed ; but in a very little while this chapter was revealed, and thereupon Mo-
hammed gave him the sword, saying, You asked this sword of me when I had no
power to dispose of it, but now I have received authority from God to distribute
the spoils, you may take it.*
» See chap 3. p. 33. » Al Beidawi, Jallalo'diiin. * Al Beidiiwi.