In the summaries which follow, numerals following the paragraphs indicate the number of the sura or suras in the Arabic text as well as in Sale’s translation.

MEKKAN SURAS

I.—­FIRST PERIOD (A.D. 613-617)

MUHAMMAD’S FIRST CALL TO READ THE KORAN

In the name of the gracious and compassionate God.[15]

Recite in the name of thy Lord, who created man and taught men to write, recite what God has revealed to thee His Prophet, and be not afraid.  Consider not the opposition of Abu Gahl, who has threatened to put his foot on thy neck if thou dost worship Allah. (96.)

DENUNCIATION OF ABU LAHAB[16]

Abu Lahab’s two hands shall perish, and he himself shall perish.  His wealth shall not avail him, nor all that he has gained.  He shall be burnt in the fiery flames[17] of Hell, his wife carrying wood for fuel, with a cord of palm-tree fibres twisted round her neck. (III.)

MUHAMMAD COMMANDED TO OFFER SACRIFICES

We have given to thee, O Prophet, great wealth and abounding riches.  Pray thou to Allah, and offer Him suitable sacrifices out of what He has bestowed upon thee. (108.)

[Compare with this paragraph the following, from sura 22 of the Medinah group: 

We have ordained that ye offer sacrifices unto Allah, and that ye receive much benefit therefrom.  When, therefore, ye slay your camels let the name of Allah be pronounced over them.  Then eat of them and give to those who ask humbly, giving also to the poor and needy who ask not.  Flesh and blood can never reach unto Allah (God), but your obedience and piety will reach unto Him.]

BELIEVERS AND UNBELIEVERS

We will make the path to happiness easy and safe to all such as fear Allah, and give alms, and believe the truth proclaimed by Allah’s messenger.  But we will make easy the path to distress and misery for all such as are niggardly, are bent on making riches, and deny the truth when it is proclaimed to them.  When these last fall headlong into Hell, their wealth will avail them nothing.  In the burning furnace they shall burn and broil. (92.)

THE DUTY OF EXERCISING CHARITY

Verily, We (God) have created some men in such poverty and distress as to need the help of others.  What does that braggart man mean when he says, “None shall prevail over me; I have and have scattered riches boundless”?  Does he not know that there is a Divine eye that sees him?  Have not We created him with a capacity of distinguishing between the two highways, that which descends towards evil, and that which ascends towards the good?  This niggardly man, however, makes no attempt to scale the heights.  What is it to ascend the upward road?  It is to free the prisoner, to feed the hungry, to defend the orphan who is akin, and the down-trodden poor.  Besides this, it is enjoined that men believe in Allah and His Prophet; that they encourage each other to be steadfast in the faith, exercising mutual consideration and sympathy.  All such as do these things shall be the people of the right hand.  But all those who disbelieve Our signs shall be the companions of the left hand, over whom shall be a vault of fire. (90.)