Muhammad, the Qur'an and Islam[49] Cf. Nöldeke, "Qur'an," p. 17. This tradition is also important for
research relating to the physical production of the Qur'an; see Nöldeke and
Schwally, GQ, vol. 1, p. 46; Watt and Bell, Introduction, p. 37.
[50] See Appendix B, p. 351.
[51] Some Islamic sources claim that the letters "Ta Ha" here mean "O
man" in Nabatean; cf. Sahih Bukhari, vol. 6. p. 231. This explanation is
rejected by Western scholars; Nöldeke and Schwally, GQ, vol. 2, p. 71,
n. 1.
[52] It is also possible, of course, that at least parts of this sura were
composed during the boycott of the Hashimites.
[53] Cf. Qur'an 79:15.
[54] Tabari, History, vol. 3, shows that it was either winter (p. 48) or that it
was night (pp. 50 f), whence the need for a fire.
[55] Cf. Qur'an 79:16. See Appendix D, p. 364.
[56] See n. 18, above.
[57] Cf. Ex. 3:4f.
[58] Command to perform the ritual prayer: Qur'an 17:80; etc. The coming
"hour" of Judgment: Qur'an 79:42; 54:1, 46; etc. Reward according to
deeds: Qur'an 37:38; etc.
[59] Sahih Bukhari, vol. 5, p. 47; Sahih Muslim, vol. 4, p. 1284; etc.
[60] This word appears to have come from the Ethiopic; Jeffery,
Vocabulary, p. 88.
[61] Cf. Ex. 2:5 and Ginzberg, Legends of the Bible, p. 290.