LXXIX., LIV., XXXIV., XXXI., LXIX., LXVIII., XLI., LXXI., LII., L., XLV., XLIV.,
XXXVII., XXX., XXVI., XV., LI. With this period begin narratives from the Jewish
Scriptures, and rabbinical and Arab legends. The temporary compromise with
idolatry is connected with Sura LIII.
FIFTH PERIOD. From the . Tenth year of Mahomet's Ministry (the period of
the removal of the Ban) to the Flight from Mecca..
Suras XLVI., LXXII., XXXV., XXXVI., XIX., XVIII., XXVII., XLII., XL., XXXVIII.,
XXV., XX., XLIII., XII., XI., X., XIV., VI., LXIV., XXVIII., XXIII., XXII., XXI.,
XVII., XVI., XIII., XXIX., VII., CXIII., CXIV. (the last two indeterminate). The
Suras of this period contain some narratives from the Gospel. The rites of
pilgrimage are enjoined. The cavillings of the Coreish are refuted; and we have
vivid picturings of the Resurrection and Judgment, of Heaven and Hell, with
proofs of God's unity, power, and providence.
From stage to stage the Suras become, on the average, longer, and some of
them now fill many pages. In the later Suras of this period we meet not
unfrequently with Medina passages, which have been interpolated as bearing on
some connected subject. As examples may be taken v. 41 of Sura XXII., in which
permission is given to bear arms against the Meccans; v. 33, Sura XVII.,
containing rules for the administration of justice; v. 110, Sura XVI., referring
to such believers as had fled their country and fought for the faith; being all
passages which could have been promulgated only after the Flight to Medina.
LAST PERIOD.Suras revealed at Medina.
Sura XCVIII. A short chapter of eight verses, regarding good and bad Jews and
Christians. Nothing very determinate about its chronology.
Sura II. Considerably the longest Sura in the Corân. It is named Sura Bacr,
or the Cow, from the Red heifer described in v. 67 as having been
sacrificed by the Israelites at the direction of Moses. The chapter was so named
in Mahomet's lifetime, as we have seen by its mention at the battle of Honein.
In this Sura have been collected together passages, on various subjects, which
were delivered during the first two or three years after the