Muhammad, the Qur'an and Islam
pagans, whereby he asks for their "book" (v. 3). Muhammad is accused of
authoring the Qur'an (v. 7), and he maintains that he is not something new
among the messengers (v. 8). The vv. 9f give some of Muhammad's
discussions with the Jews, in which he claims that at least one Jew confirms
the Qur'anic message. The vv. 12f give what appears to be one o^216 f the
earliest Islamic creeds, and the vv. 14f seem to describe the exemplary life
of an ideal Muslim. The vv. 18f tell of the Judgment, and the vv. 20^217 -35,
which were doubtless added to this sura, give a narrative abo^218 ut "the
brother of the Ad" (i.e. Salih), in which this people is destroyed (v. 23) by a wind (cf. 7:76 - earthquake; 11:70 - a shout). The vv. 25f seem to compare the Meccans with theAd. The vv. 28f relate Muhammad's
reciting the Qur'an to the jinn (cf. 72:1f), who are now quote^219 d as saying
the Qur'an was sent after and in confirmation of Moses' Book. These call
their "people" to hear and believe God's summoner for the forgiveness of
sins (v. 30). The v. 32 gives argument in favor of the Resurrection, and the
vv. 33f speak of the Judgment. 46:14 is similar to the Talmudic Avot 5,21;
and 46:19 is similar to Luke 16:25.^220
In the former passage where jinn are said to have overheard Muhammad as
he recited the Qur'an (72:1f), the jinn were essentially accused of having
forged the doctrine of Christ's Sonship. In this additional story about the
jinn, however, these beings are said to have testified (among other things)
that the Qur'an confirmed the Book of Moses (46:28f). It is highly unlikely
that such stories would have carried much weight with either Christians or
Jews, but they probably were intended for Arab pagans or Muslims who
had converted from polytheism.
Sura 6Sura 6Sura 6Sura 6 begins with praise to God (vv. 1f), and then speaks of unbelievers
and Muhammad's discussion with them (vv. 4f). The v. 7 seems to answer
the implied question of why the Qur'an was not sent down on parchment,^221
and v. 8 repeats the question as to why no angel was sent down to
Muhammad. In v. 14 Muhammad claims to be the first to profess Islam,^222
and the v. 34 states that no one changes God's Words (cf. v. 115). The vv.
50f are instructions to Muhammad, and the vv. 56f return to discussions
with unbelievers, in which v. 60 seems to show that God was believed to
have taken souls to Himself as they slept. The vv. 74f give a nar^223 rative
about Abraham, in which his father is said to have been Azar (v. 74), and^224