Note 593 — Chapter VI

It is meant probably “two points of view,” and the passage above relates to the 219th verse of the IInd chapter of the Koran, which is as follows: “They will ask thee concerning wine, and lots; answer: In both there is great sin, and also some things of use unto men; but their sinfulness is greater than their use.” And again, the 67th verse of the XVIth sura: “And of the fruits of palm-trees and grapes ye obtain inebriating drink, and also good nourishment.” Yet the verses 92 and 93 of the Vth sura are decidedly against wine, viz.: “O true believers, surely wine, and lots, and images, and divining arrows, are an abomination of the work of Satan; therefore avoid them, that you may prosper.”—93. “Satan seeketh to sow discussion and hatred among you, by means of wine and lots, and to divert you from remembering God, and from prayer; will ye not, therefore, abstain from them?”—(Sale’s translation.)