3 The following transfer of this Sura from the Arabic into the corresponding English characters may give some idea of the rhyming prose in which the Koran is written: Bismillahi 'rahhmani 'rrahheem. El-hamdoo lillahi rabi 'lalameen. Arrahhmani raheem. Maliki yowmi-d-deen. Eyaka naboodoo, wa‚yaka nest aeen. Ihdina 'ssirat almostakeem. Sirat alezeena anhamta aleihim, gheiri-'l mughdoobi aleihim, wala dsaleen. Ameen. SURA CIX.-UNBELIEVERS [IX.] MECCA.-6 Verses In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful SAY: O ye UNBELIEVERS! I worship not that which ye worship, And ye do not worship that which I worship; I shall never worship that which ye worship, Neither will ye worship that which I worship. To you be your religion; to me my religion.1 _______________________ 1 This Sura is said to have been revealed when Walîd urged Muhammad to consent that his God should be worshipped at the same time with the old Meccan deities, or alternately every year. Hishâmi, p. 79; Tabari, p. 139. It is a distinct renunciation of Meccan idolatry, as the following Sura is a distinct recognition of the Divine Unity. SURA CXII.-THE UNITY [X.] MECCA.-4 Verses In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful SAY: He is God alone: God the eternal! He begetteth not, and He is not begotten; And there is none like unto Him. SURA CXI. ABU LAHAB [XI.] MECCA. 5 Verses In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful LET the hands of ABU LAHAB1 perish,and let himself perish! His wealth and his gains shall avail him not. Burned shall he be at the fiery flame,2 And his wife laden with fire wood,- On her neck a rope of palm fibre. _______________________ 1 Undoubtedly one of the earliest Suras, and refers to the rejection of Muhammad's claim to the prophetic office by his uncle, Abu Lahab, at the instigation of his wife, Omm Djemil, who is said to have strewn the path of Muhammad on one occasion with thorns. The following six Suras, like the two first, have special reference to the difficulties which the Prophet met with the outset of his career, especially from the rich. 2 In allusion to the meaning of Abu Lahab, father of flame. SURA CVIII.-THE ABUNDANCE [XII.] MECCA.-3 Verses In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful TRULY we have given thee an ABUNDANCE; Pray therefore to the Lord, and slay the victims. Verily whoso hateth thee shall be childless.1 _______________________ 1 A reply to those who had taunted Muhammad with the death of his sons, as a mark of the divine displeasure. SURA CIV.-THE BACKBITER [XII.] MECCA.-9 Verses In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful Woe to every BACKBITER, Defamer! Who amasseth wealth and storeth it against the future! He thinketh surely that his wealth shall be with him for ever. Nay! for verily he shall be flung into the Crushing Fire; And who shall teach thee what the Crushing Fire is? It is God's kindled fire,