Muhammad: His Call
idea of being accused by one’s own self at the Judgment, and Jewish
eschatology may have been the source for this.^137 The vv. 16-19 were
probably interpolated,^138 and the vv. 20f may have also been added later due
to v. 40 again mentioning the Resurrection. In the vv. 31f one doomed for
Hell is described as having neither believed, nor prayed, and as having
accused (the message) of lies and then turning away. The opening verses of
Qur'an 83 betray Jewish influence,^139 as well as the use of the word
"`Illiyun" (vv. 18f).^140 The usage "the pious" (or "just") (vv. 18, 22)
indicates a Biblical source, and the words "Sijjin" (vv. 7f) and "Tasnim" (v.
27) appear to have been invented by Muhammad.^141 Opposition to
Muhammad's doctrine on the Day of Judgment is again evident (vv. 10f)
and v. 13 contains an early reference to the accusation of the Qur'an being
the "tales of the ancients."^142
One Western Qur'an scholar places the rest of sura 74sura 74sura 74sura 74 (vv. 8f) after sura
83.^143 These verses were probably composed earlier than this, however, as it
is clear that they give a description of Hell (as the suras 73, 101 and 82),
but are deficient of any mention of Paradise (which the suras 88, 89, and 83
do give). The verses 83:11-16 and 74:16-26 are very similar, but it appears
that 74:16-26 are older as they are more specific,^144 and 83:16 seems to be
an improvement on 74:26-27. The verse 74:30 may have been influenced
by Gnostic teachings,^145 and the vocabulary of the vv. 31-34 reveal that
these verses were probably Medinan additions to the sura,^146 inasmuch as
the "nineteen" (v. 30) were identified as angels (v. 31). The oaths beginning
in v. 35 may have marked what was earlier a separate sura (vv. 35-55). The
verses 74:44-47 are related to, but more detailed than 75:31-32.^147 The
verse 74:49 represents an early example of the use of the term "intercessor,"
and 74:55 is perhaps one of the earliest passages in which the notion of
"forgiveness" appears.
Qur'an 69Qur'an 69Qur'an 69Qur'an 69:4-10 relates the stories of the Thamud, the `Ad and Pharaoh
briefly, after which an abrupt change in person (vv. 11f) ushers in what
may refer to Noah.^148 The vv. 13-17 describe the end of the world (where
Muhammad is said to have arrived at the number of "eight" angels, v. 17,
because it fit the rhyme so well),^149 the vv. 18-24 relate the situation of
those who receive their books in the right hand, and the vv. 25-37 explain