[Footnote 37:  The person here meant was one Soheib, who being persecuted by the idolaters of Mecca forsook all he had and fled to Medina.]

[Footnote 38:  Under the name of wine all sorts of strong and inebriating liquors are comprehended.]

[Footnote 39:  The original word, al Meiser, properly signifies a particular game performed with arrows, and much in use with the pagan Arabs.  But by lots we are here to understand all games whatsoever, which are subject to chance or hazard, as dice and cards.]

[Footnote 40:  Some commentators expound this negatively, “That ye will not deal justly, nor be devout ...”  For such wicked oaths, they say, were customary among the idolatrous inhabitants of Mecca; which gave occasion to the following saying of Mohammed:  “When you swear to do a thing, and afterwards find it better to do otherwise, do that which is better, and make void your oath.”]

[Footnote 41:  Yahya interprets this from a tradition of Mohammed, who, being asked which was the middle prayer, answered, The evening prayer, which was instituted by the prophet Solomon.]

[Footnote 42:  The following seven lines contain a magnificent description of the divine majesty and providence; but it must not be supposed the translation comes up to the dignity of the original.  This passage is justly admired by the Mohammedans, who recite it in their prayers; and some of them wear it about them, engraved on an agate or other precious stone.]

[Footnote 43:  This throne, in Arabic called Corsi, is by the Mohammedans supposed to be God’s tribunal, or seat of justice.]

[Footnote 44:  But this, say the Mohammedans, the Jews do, who receive Moses but reject Jesus; and the Christians, who receive both those prophets, but reject Mohammed.]

[Footnote 45:  That is, on the Jews, who, as the commentators tell us, were ordered to kill a man by way of atonement, to give one-fourth of their substance in alms, and to cut off an unclean ulcerous part, and were forbidden to eat fat, or animals that divided the hoof, and were obliged to observe the Sabbath, and other particulars wherein the Mohammedans are at liberty.]

CHAPTER III

Entitled, the Family of Imran[46]—­Revealed at Medina

In the Name of the Most Merciful God.

A.L.M.[47] There is no God but God, the living, self-subsisting:  He hath sent down unto thee the book of the Koran with truth, confirming that which was revealed before it; for he had formerly sent down the law and the gospel, a direction unto men; and he had also sent down the distinction between good and evil.  Verily those who believe not the signs of God, shall suffer a grievous punishment; for God is mighty, able to revenge.  Surely nothing is hidden from God, of that which is on earth, or in heaven:  it is he who formeth you in the wombs, as he pleaseth; there