P. [67]. Well-nigh tempted: referring apparently to an inclination of Mohammad to temporize with idolatry on a special occasion.
P. [68]. The Spirit: Gabriel, the teacher of Mohammad, and the bearer of revelations from God to His prophet.
P. [71]. Call upon God, or call upon the Merciful.—Mohammad’s use of two general names for God had apparently caused some confusion among the faithful, which this verse removed.
The “Children of Israel” speech is especially important, since it contains more definite regulations of conduct than any other of the orations delivered at Mekka.
The Mekka Speeches.
III.—The Argumentative Period.
P. [76]. The Believer. Twice hast thou given us death, etc.—Referring to the absence of life before birth, and the deprivation of it at death, and to the being quickened at birth, and raised again after death.
P. [78]. Their footprints, or vestiges: i.e. their buildings and public works.
Moses. For the Koranic history of the Israelites, see Lane’s Selections, pp. 97-131.
P. [84]. I am bidden to resign myself: i.e. I am bidden to become a Muslim, for Muslim (Moslem or Musulman) means “one who is resigned,” and Islām, belonging to the same root, signifies “resignation,” or “self-surrender.” This is the correct name of the religion taught by the Arabian prophet, who would have regarded the epithet “Mohammadan,” as applied to the creed, or the professor thereof, as nothing short of blasphemy.