Muhammad, the Qur'an and Islam
regulations. Some Western scholars consider the vv. 163-166 to have been
Meccan, but it is also quite possible that they were Medina^53 n, since the vv.
163-169 deal generally with dietary regulations and the rejection of what
was "sent down." In the vv. 169f those who hide the scriptures and sell
them are condemned to Hell, and v. 172 gives a definition of those who fear
God. The vv. 173f sanction revenge for murder, and some Western scholars
consider this passage to have been composed shortly before Ramadan of 2
AH. The vv. 176f speak of inheritance, the vv. 179f make the fast o^54 f
Ramadan obligatory, the v. 185 mentions the Hajj, and the vv. 186f allow
Muslims to fight those who fight against them. The vv. 192f make the Hajj
or a sacrifice obligatory, and v. 194 allows business during the Hajj and
mentions "rushing down from" the hill of "Arafat" in Mecca. Western
scholars think that most of the passage vv. 185-199 was composed not
earlier than 6 AH. The vv. 200f give the examples of two types of^55 people,
v. 206 shows that some may have expected a miracle such as God coming
in the shadow of a cloud with angels, and v. 207 encourages one to ask the
children of Israel about the signs which were given them. The vv. 209f
speak of divisions among mankind, and v. 211 gives a question regarding
alms. The vv. 212f show that some of Muhammad's followers were
apprehensive about participating in the fighting, v. 214 must refer to the
raid on Nakhla as described in Islamic traditions, and v. 215^5657 states that
those who (among other things) participate in Allah's way (Jihad) will be
able to hope for Allah's compassion. The v. 216 is against wine and games,
but they are not yet forbidden, and the vv. 218f speak of being benevolent
to orphans. The vv. 220f forbid marriage to "associators," which has been
expanded to include Christians in canonical traditions, an^58 d v. 222
(contrary to Muslim opinion) is actually similar to the Jewish regulations on
menstruating women. The Qur'anic description of women as b^59 eing tillable
fields for men (v. 223), was later used by early Christian po^60 lemicists.^61
The v. 224 contains an instruction about oaths, and v. 225 declares that
Allah will not punish for unintentional oaths. The vv. 226f d^62 escribe the
Islamic regulations concerning divorce, in which remarriage to the same
former husband is only allowed after an interim marriage to someone else
(v. 230). The vv. 234f give regulations for widows, and the vv. 237^63 f speak
of divorce before the consummation of marriage. The v. 239 mentions the
"middle prayer," which is thought to have been adopted from Judaism,^64
and v. 240 provides for praying while walking or riding when in