Footnote
Table of Contents In the Introduction, pp. xviii.-xxv. and xliv.-xlviii., appeared before in my Introduction to Lane's Selections from the Kur-an, 2nd ed. (Trübner's Oriental series, 1879), to which I must refer the reader for further information on Mohammad and Islam, and especially concerning the portions of the Koran dealing with the Jewish legends purposely omitted from the present work. Pp. xxxv.-xxxviii. reproduce a few paragraphs from the Edinburgh Review, No. 316, October 1881, p. 371, ff. The Arab poetry quoted in the Introduction is from the admirable versions contributed by Mr. C. J. Lyall to the Journal of the Asiatic Society of Bengal, 1877 and 1881. The description of Mohammad's person and mode of life, pp. xxvii.-xxix., is from E. Deutsch, Literary Remains, p. 70, ff; and R. Bosworth Smith, Mohammed and Mohammedanism, 2d ed., p. 131; to which, and to the Rev. E. Sell's Faith of Islam, in many respects the best treatise on the Mohammadan religion, as it now is, that has appeared in recent years, the reader is referred for much concerning modern and historical Mohammadanism which is beyond the design of the present volume.
In the text, I must acknowledge my general indebtedness to the versions of George Sale and the Rev. J. M. Rodwell for many valuable interpretations; but I wish especially to record my obligations to Prof. E. H. Palmer, in respect of some fine renderings which he has been the first to use in his translation of the Koran for the series of Sacred Books of the East, and which I have not hesitated to adopt.
S. L.-P.
ANALYTICAL TABLE OF CONTENTS.
Table of Contents PAGE
INTRODUCTION v The Koran is capable of adequate representation in small compass and approximately chronological order. The original audience of Mohammad's speeches: Arabian characteristics in desert-life and town-life, poetry and religion. Mohammad's early life, person and habits, call to preach, and work at Mekka. The three periods of Mekka speeches. Change of position at Medina, and consequent change in oratory. The Medina speeches. Incompleteness of the law of the Koran. The Traditions or Table-talk.
References lvi Analytical Table of Contents lvii THE SPEECHES AT MEKKA
I.-THE POETIC PERIOD. Aet. 40-44,
a.d. 609-613
1 The Night (xcii.)
3 The difference between the good and the wicked in their lives and their future states; warning of hell and promise of heaven.
The Country (xc)
5 The steep road to the life to come is by charity and faith.
The Smiting (ci.)
7 The terrors of the Judgment Day and the Bottomless Pit.
The Quaking (xcix.)
8 Signs of the Last Day, when all secrets shall be revealed.
The Rending Asunder (lxxxii.)
9 Signs of the Last Day; man's unbelief; angels record his actions, by which his fate shall be decided.
The Chargers (c.)
11 Man's ingratitude towards God will be exposed on the Last Day.
Support (cvii.)
12 Uncharitable hypocrites denounced.
The Backbiter (civ.)
13 The covetous slanderer shall be cast into Blasting Hell.
The Splendour of Morning (xciii.)
14 The goodness of God towards Mohammad must be imitated towards others.
The Most High (lxxxvii.)
15 God the Creator is to be magnified. Mohammad is enjoined to admonish the people; the opposite fates of those who hearken and those who turn away; the message is the same as that delivered by Abraham and Moses.
The Wrapping (lxxxi.)
17 Signs of the Last Day. Authenticity of the Koran: Mohammad neither mad nor possessed. The Koran a reminder, but man is powerless to follow it except by God's decree.
The News (lxxviii.)
19 Men dispute about the Last Day: yet it shall come as surely as God created all things. The last trump and the gathering of mankind to judgment. Description of the torments of Hell and the delights of Paradise.
The Fact (lvi.)
22 Signs of the Last Day. The three kinds of men-prophets, righteous, and wicked-and the future state of each. The power of God shown in creation. The Koran true and sacred. The state after death.
The Merciful (lv.)
27 A
Benedicite reciting the works of God, and the Judgment and Paradise and Hell, with a refrain challenging genii and mankind to deny His signs.
The Unity (cxii.)
32 A profession of faith in one God.
The Fatihah (i.)
33 A prayer for guidance and help: the Muslim
Paternoster. THE SPEECHES AT MEKKA
II.-THE RHETORICAL PERIOD. Aet. 44-46,
a.d. 613-615
35 The Kingdom (lxvii.)
37 The power of God shown in creation; Hell the reward of those who disbelieve in God's messengers and discredit His signs. None but God knows when the Last Day will be.
The Moon (liv.)
41 The Judgment approaches, but men will not heed the warning, and call it a lie and magic. Even so did former generations reject their apostles: the people of Noah, Ad, Thamud, Lot, Pharaoh; and there came upon all of them a grievous punishment. Neither shall the men of Mekka escape. Refrain: the certainty of punishment and the heedlessness of man.
K. (l.)
45 Why is the Resurrection so incredible? Does not God continually create and re-create? Former generations were equally incredulous, but they all found the threat of punishment was true. So shall it be again. The recording angels shall bear witness, and hell shall be filled. Who can escape God, who created all things, and to whom all things must one day return?
Y.S. (xxxvi.)
49 Mohammad a true messenger from God to warn the people, whose ancestors would not be warned. God hardens their hearts so that they cannot believe. Everything is written down in the Book of God. Just so did the people of Antioch reject the apostles of Jesus, and stoned the only convert among themselves; and there came a shout from heaven and exterminated them. Why do not men reflect on such warnings? Signs of the Resurrection are seen in the revival of spring and the growth of plants, and the alternations of night and day, and the changes of the sun and moon, and the ships that sail on the sea. Yet they are not convinced! The Last Day shall come upon them suddenly. Paradise and Hell. The Koran not a poem, but a plain warning of God's might and judgment to come. Their idols need protection instead of giving it. God who first made life can quicken it again: his "Fiat" is instantly carried out.
The Children of Israel (xvii.)
57 The dream of the journey to Jerusalem. The two sins of the children of Israel and their punishments. The Koran gives promise of a great reward for righteousness and an aching torment for disbelief. Each man shall be judged by his own deeds, and none shall be punished for another's sin; nor was any folk destroyed without warning. Kindness and respect to parents, and duty to kinsfolk and travellers and the poor; hospitality,...
