[Sidenote: Katada's conjectural interpretation not warranted.] 25. All these silly fables, wild romances, and scandalous conjectures have their origin in Katada's improper interpretation of these words, "and thou didst hide in thy mind what God would bring to light" (Sura XXXIII, 37). Katada (died 117 A.H.) conjectured that the Prophet concealed his desire that Zeid should divorce Zeinab. But all other authors[381] have found fault with Katada in his surmise, which is not supported by any word in the text or by any contemporary evidence. This interpretation of Katada is contradicted by the very words of Mohammad to Zeid in the same verse: "Keep thy wife to thyself and fear God." [Sidenote: Other conjectures.] 26. Many have been the conjectures as to what did Mohammad hide in his mind. There is one by Katada already explained. Another is this, that he knew Zeid would divorce her, but concealing this in his mind, he interdicted Zeid from doing so. A third conjecture is this, that he concealed in his mind that if Zeid, contrary to his (Mohammad's) advice, were to divorce her (Zeinab), he (Mohammad) would marry her. These conjectures are all far-fetched and arbitrary, but it appears more probable that the social inharmony and domestic disturbances between Zeid and Zeinab, and their resolve of separation, were withheld from the public by Mohammad, fearing the scandal it might give rise to among his enemies. This is the only secret referred to in the verse so often cited. [Footnote 336: _Annals of the Early Caliphate_. By Sir W. Muir, K.C.S.I., LL.D., D.C.L., page 75, London, 1883.] [Footnote 337: "It is to ransom the captive."--XC, 13. "There is no piety in turning your faces towards the east or the west, but he is pious who believeth in God and the Last Day, and the Angels and the Scriptures and the Prophets; who for the love of God disburseth his wealth to his kindred and to the orphans and the needy, and the wayfarer and those who ask; and for ransoming," &c.--II, 172.] [Footnote 338: "And to those of your slaves who desire a deed of _manumission_, execute it for them, if ye know good in them, and give them a portion of the wealth of God which He hath given you. Force not your female slaves into sin, in order that ye may gain he casual fruitions of this world, if they wish to preserve their modesty. Yet if any one compel them, then verily, after their compulsion, will God be Forgiving, Merciful."--XXIV, 33.] [Footnote 339: "A believer killeth not a believer but by mischance: and whoso killeth a believer by mischance shall be bound to free a believer from slavery," &c.--IV, 94.] [Footnote 340: "And those who _thus_ put away their wives, and afterwards would recall their words, must free a captive before they can come together _again_," &c.--LVIII, 4.]