CHAP. XLVII.
Intitled, Mohammed
[a]
; revealed at Medina
[b]
.
In the name of the most merciful God.
[a] Some entitle this chapter War, which is therein commanded to be vigorously carried on against the enemies of the Mohammedan faith.
[b] Some suppose the whole to have been revealed at Mecca.
[a] When ye encounter the unbelievers, strike off their heads, &c.] This law the Hanifites judge to be abrogated, or to relate particularly to the war of Bedr, for the severity here commanded, which was necessary in the beginning of Mohammedism [1] , they think too rigorous to be put in practice in its flourishing state. But the Persians and some others hold the command to be still in full force; for, according to them, all the men of full age who are taken in battle are to be slain, unless they embrace the Mohammedan faith; and those who fall into the hands of the Moslems after the battle are not to be slain, but may either be set at liberty gratis or on payment of a certain ransom, or may be exchanged for Mohammedan prisoners, or condemned to slavery, at the pleasure of the Imâm or prince [2] .
[1] See chap. 8. p. 14, and 147.
[2] Al Beidawi, V. Reland. Dissert. de Jure Militari Mohammedanor. p. 32.
[b] Who fight, &c.] Some copies, instead of kâtilu, read kûtilu, according to which latter reading it should be rendered, who are slain, or suffer martyrdom, &c.
[c] Those to whom knowledge hath been given;] i.e. The more learned of Mohammed’s companions, such as Ebn Masúd and Ebn Abbâs [3] .
[3] Jallal.
[a] And he will instruct them what to avoid;] Or, as the words may also be translated, and he will reward them for their piety.
[b] Some signs thereof are already come;] As the mission of Mohammed, the splitting of the moon, and the smoke [1] , mentioned in the 44th chapter.
[1] Idem, Al Beidawi.
[c] Ask pardon for thy sin;] Tho’ Mohammed here and elsewhere [2] acknowledges himself to be a sinner, yet several Mohammedan doctors pretend he was wholly free from sin, and suppose he is here commanded to ask forgiveness, not that he wanted it, but that he might set an example to his followers: wherefore he used to say of himself, if the tradition be true, I ask pardon of God a hundred times a day [3] .
[2] See chap. 48. in the beginning.
[3] Jallalo’ddin.
[d] An infirmity;] As hypocrisy, cowardice, or instability in their religion.
[e] If ye had been put in authority;] Or, as the words may also be translated, If ye had turned back, and apostatized from your faith.
[f] We will obey you in part of the matter;] i.e. In part of what ye desire of us; by staying at home and not going forth with Mohammed to war, and by private combination against him [4] .
[4] Al Beidawi.
[g] When the angels shall cause them to die, &c.] These words are supposed to allude to the examination of the sepulchre.
[a] Who make opposition against the apostle;] These were the tribes of Koreidha and al Nadir; or those who distributed provision to the army of the Koreish at Bedr [1] .
[1] Al Beidawi. See chap. 8. p. 143. not. h.
[b] He will substitute another people in your stead, who shall not be like unto you;] i.e. In backwardness and aversion to the propagation of the faith. The people here designed to be put in the place of these lukewarm Moslems, are generally supposed to be the Persians, there being a tradition that Mohammed, being asked what people they were, at a time when Salmân was sitting by him, clapped his hand on his thigh, and said, This man and his nation. Others, however, are of opinion the Ansârs or the angels are intended in this place [2] .
[2] Idem.