Chapter III · (continued 2)

i viz., At all times and in all postures. Al Beidâwi mentions a saying of Mohammed to one Imrân Ebn Hosein, to this purpose: Pray standing, if thou art able; if not, sitting; and if thou canst not sit up, then as thou liest along. Al Shâfeï directs that he sick should pray lying on their right side. k Namely, Mohammed, with the Korân. l These words were added, as some relate, on Omm Salma, one of the prophet's wives, telling him that she had observed GOD often made mention of the men who fled their country for the sake of their faith, but took no notice of the women.1 m The original word properly signifies success in the affairs of life, and particularly in trade. It is said that some of Mohammed's followers observing the prosperity the idolaters enjoyed, expressed their regret that those enemies of GOD should live in such ease and plenty, while themselves were perishing for hunger and fatigue; whereupon this passage was revealed.2 n Because of its short continuance. o The persons here meant, some will have to be Abda'llah Ebn Salâm3 and his companions; others suppose they were forty Arabs of Najrân, or thirty-two Ethiopians, or else eight Greeks, who were converted from Christianity to Mohammedism; and others say this passage was revealed in the ninth year of the Hejra, when Mohammed, on Gabriel's bringing him the news of the death of Ashama king of Ethiopia, who had embraced the Mohammedan religion some years before,4 prayed for the soul of the departed; at which some of his hypocritical followers were displeased, and wondered that he should pray for a Christian proselyte whom he had never seen.5

1 Idem. 2 Idem. 3 See before, p. 44. 4 See the Prelim. Discourse, Sect. II. 5 Al Beidâwi.

these shall have their reward with their LORD; for GOD is swift in taking an account.p 200 O true believers, be patient and strive to excel in patience, and be constant-minded, and fear GOD, that ye may be happy.

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