We have not sent before thee any apostle or prophet, but that when he wished, Satan threw not something into his wish[1]; but God annuls what Satan throws ; then does God confirm his signs, and God is knowing, wise — to make what Satan throws a trial unto those in whose hearts is sickness, and those whose hearts are hard ; and, verily, the wrongdoers are in a wide schism — and that those who have been given ‘ the knowledge ’ may know that it is the truth from thy Lord, and may believe therein, and that their hearts may be lowly ; for, verily, God surely will guide those who believe into a right way.
But those who misbelieve will not cease to be in doubt thereof until the Hour comes on them suddenly, or there comes on them the torment of the barren day[2].
55 The kingdom on that day shall be God’s, He shall judge between them ; and those who believe
- ↑ Some say that the word tamannâ means ‘ reading,’ and the passage should then be translated, ‘but that when he read Satan threw something into his reading ;’ the occasion on which the verse was produced being that when Mohammed was reciting the words of the Qurʼân, Chapter ⅬⅢ, verses 19, 20, ‘ Have ye considered Allât and Al ʼHuzzâ and Manât the other third ?’ Satan put it into his mouth to add, ‘ they are the two high-soaring cranes, and, verily, their intercession may be hoped for ;’ at this praise of their favourite idols the Qurâis were much pleased, and at the end of the recitation joined the prophet and his followers in adoration. Mohammed, being informed by the angel Gabriel of the reason for their doing so, was much concerned until this verse was revealed for his consolation. The objectionable passage was of course annulled, and the verse made to read as it now stands.
- ↑ Either ‘ the day of resurrection,’ as giving birth to no day after it, or, ‘ a day of battle and defeat,’ that makes mothers childless, such as the infidels experienced at Bedr.
