72 THE CORÂN.

SECTION FIRST.

PASSAGES FROM SURAS REVEALED AT MECCA.

I.—The first passage, in the chronological order of the Corân, which contains an express reference to the Bible, is

 SURA LXXXVII., v. 18[-19].

سورة الأعلى

إِنَّ هَذَا لَفِي الصحُفِ الأولَى
صُحفِ إِبْرَاهِيمَ وَمُوسَى

Verily this is in the former pages;
The pages of Abraham and Moses.

Commentary of Jelalooddeen—

أن هذا أي افلاح من تزكي وكون الآخرة خيراً لفي الصحف الأولي المنزلة قبل القرأن
 —"Verily this, i.e. the prosperity of the good, and their well-being in a future world, is in the former books, i.e. those revealed before the Corân." 

II.—Similarly, SURA LIII., v. 36 [-39] 1

سورة النجم

أَمْ لَمْ يُنَبأْ بِمَا فِي صُحُفِ مُوسَى
وَإِبْرَاهِيمَ الذِي وَفّى
ألاّ تَزِرُ وَازِرَةٌ وِزْرَ أُخْرَى
وَأَن ليْسَ للإنسانِ إلاّ مَا سَعَى
1 A Meccan Sura of later date, introduced here on account of a similar expression to that in Art. I.
TESTIMONY TO THE HOLY SCRIPTURES. 73

Hath he not been told of that which is in the pages of Moses, and of Abraham who acted faithfully?
That a burdened soul shall not bear another's burden,
And that there shall be nothing (imputed) to a man, but that which he himself hath wrought, &c.

This passage, like the first, refers to former inspired writings; and further contains a summary of their general contents, as regards Man's responsibility, future rewards and punishments, the power and providence of God, &c., ending with these words:—

SURA LIII., v. 56

سورة النجم

هَذَا نَذِير منَ النذر الأولَى

This (Mahomet) is a preacher like one of the preachers preceding.

The reference to "The pages of Abraham," is probably to the pages of his history and sayings, contained in the Old Testament. For there was no "Book of Abraham" current amongst the Jews. And there is no allusion throughout the Corân which would lead to the suspicion that Mahomet intended any other book than the Pentateuch or Scriptures which were in use amongst the Jews of his time, and were regarded by them as inspired.

III.—SURA LXXX., v. 11 [-16].

سورة عبس

كلاّ إِنَّهَا تَذْكِرَةٌ
فَمَن شَاء ذَكَرَهُ
فِي صُحفٍ مكَرمة
مرفُوعَةٍ مطَهَّرَةٍ
بِأَيْدِي سَفَرَةٍ
كرامٍ بررة