Muhammad: Break with the JewsQur'an 16:111-125Qur'an 16:111-125Qur'an 16:111-125Qur'an 16:111-125 is probably also early-Medinan. The v. 111 mentions
the emigration and shows that the armed conflict with the Meccans had
already begun, and the v. 112 speaks of the rewards in the Judgment. The
parable in the vv. 113f no doubt refers to Muhammad and the Meccans,^145
in which the success of the Muslim raids is alluded to (v. 113b). The
vv. 115f are in essence a reaction to the Judaic dietary laws, and v. 120 says
that forgiveness will be granted those who in ignorance performed evil. The
v. 121 describes Abraham as having been an "imam" (cf. 2:118), and v. 124
speaks of the "way" (religion) of Abraham (cf. 2:124; 6:162). In v. 125 the
Sabbath is said to have been appointed only for those who were in
disagreement, and it appears that Muhammad had rejected the importance
of the Sabbath for his own followers. The v. 126 encourages Muhammad to
invite others to the way of the Lord and to argue with them in a better
manner (cf. 29:45), v. 127 gives an ambiguous statement about
vengeance, and v. 128 shows that Muhammad was to have patienc^146 e with
respect to those who opposed him. Two of the verses of this passage
(vv. 115, 127) are similar to Bible or Talmud references.^147
Qur'an 14:38-42Qur'an 14:38-42Qur'an 14:38-42Qur'an 14:38-42 was probably also composed in this period. The v. 38
contains an alleged prayer of Abraham, whereby he prays to be turned
away from idolatry with his sons, and this obviously contradicts Qur'an
16:121, which claims that Abraham was not among the idolaters. The v. 40
depicts Abraham as having left a part of his family near the Ka`ba, v. 41
mentions Ishmael and Isaac, and v. 42 has Abraham pray for forgiveness
for himself and his parents.^148
Along with parts of two other suras, Qur'an 98Qur'an 98Qur'an 98Qur'an 98 is thought to partially date
from before the battle of Badr, but in the year 2 AH. The vv. 1f^149 speak of
the unbelievers among the People of the Book, who were so named because
they rejected the Qur'an. In v. 4 prayers and alms are described as being
rituals of the faith related in the Qur'an, v. 5 states that the unbelievers of
the People of the Book and pagans will be sent to Hell, and the vv. 6f claim
that believers and those who practice good (works) will go to Paradise.
Some Islamic sources claim that this sura was originally much longer than
it is today.^150