[FN#127] Arab. "Wartah"=precipice, quagmire, quicksand and hence sundry secondary and metaphorical significations, under which, as in the "Semitic" (Arabic) tongues generally, the prosaical and material sense of the word is clearly evident. I noted this in Pilgrimage iii. 66 and was soundly abused for so saying by a host of Sciolists.
[FN#128] i.e. Allowing the Devil to go about the world and seduce mankind until Doomsday when "auld Sootie's" occupation will be gone. Surely "Providence" might have managed better.
[FN#129] i.e. to those who deserve His love.
[FN#130] Here "Istitб'ah" would mean capability of action, i.e. freewill, which is a mere word like "free-trade."
[FN#131] Arab. "Bi al-taubah" which may also mean "for (on account of his) penitence." The reader will note how the learned Shimas "dodges" the real question. He is asked why the "Omnipotent, Omniscient did not prevent (i.e. why He created) sin?" He answers that He kindly permitted (i.e. created and sanctioned) it that man might repent. Proh pudor! If any one thus reasoned of mundane matters he would be looked upon as the merest fool.
[FN#132] Arab. "Mahall al-Zauk," lit.=seat of taste.
[FN#133] Mr. Payne translates "it" i.e. the Truth; but the formula following the word shows that Allah is meant.
[FN#134] Moslems, who do their best to countermine the ascetic idea inherent in Christianity, are not ashamed of the sensual appetite; but rather the reverse. I have heard in Persia of a Religious, highly esteemed for learning and saintly life who, when lodged by a disciple at Shiraz, came out of his sleeping room and aroused his host with the words "Shahwat dбram!" equivalent to our "I want a woman." He was at once married to one of the slave-girls and able to gratify the demands of the flesh.
[FN#135] Koran iv. 81, "Whatever good betideth thee is from God, and whatever betideth thee of evil is from thyself": rank Manichжism is pronounced as any in Christendom.
[FN#136] Arab. "Zukhruf" which Mr. Payne picturesquely renders "painted gawds."