[142] Prolégomènes d'Ibn Khaldoun, vol. i. pp. 196-205.
[143] "That the "Auliya" are distinguished above ordinary mortals is maintained on the authority of:—"Are not the friends (Auliya) of God, those on whom no fear shall come, nor shall they be put to grief." (Súra x. 63.)
[144] Sharh-i-Aqáíd-i-Jámí, p. 125.
[145] Sirát-ul-Islám, p. 18.
[146] This is an orthodox blow at the Shía'h practices in the month of Muharram. Shía'hs consider this a good act.
[147] Takmíl-ul-Imán, p. 18.
[148] It is said Adam's sin was a mere slip but it brought good to the world. Had he remained in Paradise the world would not have been peopled; and the word of God "I have not created men and jinns, except for worship," would not have been fulfilled.
[149] That is, according to the commentator Beidawí,—"Thy remissness in propagating Islám."
[150] Tafsír-i-Husainí, p. 332.
[151] On the contrary, he seems to disclaim such a power. Thus the Quraish said: "By no means will we believe on thee till thou cause a fountain to gush forth for us from the earth; or, till thou have a garden of palm-trees and grapes, and thou cause forth-gushing rivers to gush forth in its midst; or thou make the heaven to fall on us, as thou hast given out, in pieces; or thou bring God and the angels to vouch for thee, &c. Say: Am I more than a man, an Apostle?" (Súra xvii. 92-95). Former prophets, Muhammad used to say, were sent to their own sect, but he was sent for all. Their miracles were confined to their own times. The Qurán the great miracle of Islám, was for all ages. He needed no other sign than this.