ENTITLED, THE FIG; WHERE IT WAS REVEALED IS DISPUTED.
IN THE NAME OF THE MOST MERCIFUL GOD.
BY the fig, and the olive;g
and by mount Sinai,
c It is related that no revelation having been vouchsafed to Mohammed
for several days, in answer to some questions put to him by the Koreish,
because he had confidently promised to resolve them the next day, without
adding the exception, if it please GOD,1 or because he had repulsed an
importunate beggar, or else because a dead puppy lay under his seat, or for
some other reason; his enemies said that GOD had left him: whereupon this
chapter was sent down for his consolation.2
d By disposing and enlarging it to receive the truth, and wisdom, and
prophecy; or, by freeing thee from uneasiness and ignorance? This passage is
thought to intimate the opening of Mohammed's heart, in his infancy, or when
he took his journey to heaven, by the angel Gabriel; who having wrung out the
black drop, or seed of original sin, washed and cleansed the same, and filled
it with wisdom and faith:3 but some think it relates to the occasion of the
preceding chapter.4
e i.e., Of thy sins committed before thy mission; or of thy ignorance,
or trouble of mind.
f Or When thou shalt have finished thy prayer, labour in preaching the
faith.5
g GOD, say the commentators swears by these two fruits, because of
their great uses and virtues: for the fig is wholesome and of easy digestion,
and physically good to carry off phlegm, and gravel in the kidneys or bladder,
and to remove obstructions of the liver and spleen, and also cures the piles
and the gout, &c.; the olive produces oil, which is not only excellent to eat,
but otherwise useful for the compounding of ointments;1 the wood of the olive-
tree, moreover, is good for cleansing the teeth, preventing their growing
rotten, and giving a good odour to the mouth, for which reason the prophets,
and Mohammed in particular, made use of no other for toothpicks.2
Some, however, suppose that these words do not mean the fruits or trees
above mentioned, but two mountains in the holy land, where they grow in
plenty; or else the temple of Damascus and that at Jerusalem.3
1 See cap. 18, p. 219 2 Al Beidâwi, Jallalo'ddin. 3 Al
Beidâwi, Yahya. Vide Abulf. Vit. Moh. p. 8 and 33; Prid, Life of Mohamet, p.
105, &c. 4 Al Beidâwi. 5 Idem. 1 Idem, al
Zamakh.
2 Al Zamakh. 3 Idem, Yahya, al Beidâwi, Jallal.
and this territory of security;h
verily we created man of a most excellent fabric;
afterwards we rendered him the vilest of the vile:i
except those who believe, and work righteousness; for they shall receive
an endless reward.
What, therefore, shall cause thee to deny the day of judgment after
this?k
Is not GOD the most wise judge?
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