Muhammad: His Call[68] See Rudolph in Koran, p. 565, n. 1.
[69] Canonical traditions report that Muhammad himself forgot when the
night of Qadr was, but said it should be sought in the last 7 or 10 days of
the month of Ramadan; see Sahih Bukhari, vol. 3, p. 140; Sahih Muslim,
vol. 2, pp. 570 f. The mention of this night being better than 1000 (months)
in 97:3 is not only remotely similar to Ps. 84:10, but is seen as a special
night to receive forgiveness by some Muslims; see Sahih Bukhari, vol. 3, p.
129.
[70] See Rudolph in Koran, p. 553, n. 9.
[71] Imru'ul-Qays (Andrae, Ursprung, p. 47) as well as al-Afwa al-Audi
(c. 570 AD) and the Lakhmid `Adi b. Zayd (c. 587 AD) all mention the
Thamud (Margoliouth, Relations, p. 73).
[72] See Rudolph in Koran, p. 544, n. 1; the fragments are given as
vv. 1-10; 11-15; 16-42.
[73] Nöldeke and Schwally, GQ, vol. 1, pp. 95 f. Western scholars of
Islam generally see in this criticism of Muhammad evidence for his having
been sincere and honest in his early ministry; see Buhl, Muhammeds,
p. 141; Andrae, Mohammed, p. 117;
[74] The "deafening noise" of v. 33 is generally thought to refer to a clap
of thunder or a trumpet blast announcing the Judgment; cf. Andrae,
Ursprung, p. 64. Ephraem the Syrian also described the Judgment as being
preceded by a clap of thunder; Ibid. p. 141. That even nearest relatives will
stand alone in the Judgment is also found in the works of Ephraem (Op.
Gr., I, 29; cf. II, 201 - as cited by Andrae in Ursprung, pp. 143 f). The
joyful faces of the just and the darkened faces of the unjust at the Judgment
are also referred to in Jewish and Christian apocalyptic literature; see
Andrae, Ursprung, p. 69.
[75] This sura was perhaps one of the first to have the mysterious letters,
and also begins with an oath. Nöldeke and Schwally, GQ, vol. 1, p. 96, felt