[602] “There are twenty-nine chapters of the Koran, which have this peculiarity, that they begin with certain letters of the alphabet, some with a single one, others with more. These letters the Muhammedans believe to be the peculiar marks of the Koran, and to conceal several profound mysteries; the certain understanding of which the more intelligent confess, has not been communicated to any mortal, their prophet only excepted. Notwithstanding which, some will take the liberty of guessing at their meaning, by that species of _cabala_ called by the Jews _Notarikon_, and suppose the letters to stand for as many words, expressing the names and attributes of God, his works, ordinances, and decrees: and therefore these mysterious letters, as well as the verses themselves, seem in the Koran to be called _signs_. Others explain the intent of these letters from their nature or organ, or else from their value in numbers, according to another species of the Jewish _cabbala_, called _gematria_; the uncertainty of which conjectures sufficiently appears from their disagreement.”――(_Sale’s Koran_, Preliminary Discourse, pp. 78-79.) [603] The questions asked for perplexing the neophyte are of various natures; for instance, What signifies the throwing of stones by the pilgrims at Mecca, whilst running between the hills of Merva and Safa?――Why did God create the world in six days, when one moment might have sufficed for it?――What mean the eight angels, bearers of God’s throne?――What the seven gates of hell, and the eight gates of paradise?――Further, what is the difference between the life of a vegetable and that of a man?――Why has a man ten toes, ten fingers, and why in each three joints, but only two in the thumb?――Why has a man at the head seven orifices (eyes, ears, nostrils, and mouth), and only two for the rest of his body? Why twelve dorsal, and only seven vertical vertebras? etc., etc.――(See _Journal asiatique_, 1824, tome IV. p. 309; and _Gemäldesaal moslimisher Heersher_. _III^{ter} Band_, 1837, _Seite_ 237.) [604] See upon this subject, the _Journal Asiatique_, tome VI. 1825. pp. 334-335.