The text shows the manner in which, at this period, Mahomet addressed the
Jews and Christians;rather in the style of one identifying himself with
their respective religions, than of one commissioned to supersede them. At
any rate, it enables us to understand some of the grounds on which it was
natural for the Jews and Christians to rejoice,nay, to "weep with
joy and gratitude," at finding the prophet of Mecca prepared to sustain
and ratify their Scriptures in all material points, and anxious apparently
only to reform the abuses of Image, Saint, and Angel worship, which had
crept in amongst them.
Further, there can be no stronger proof than this passage, of the
reverence and faith felt, and expressed, by Mahomet, towards the Scriptures
of the Jews and Christians:"We believe in that which hath been
revealed to us, and in that which hath been revealed to you; our God and
your God is one; and we are to him resigned."
The Musslumans of Mahomet's time, and the succeeding generation, would
have laughed to scorn the miserable subterfuge set up by some Mahometans of
the present day, who pretend that it was not the Pentateuch and Gospel in
universal use among the Jews and Christians, but some different Scripture,
that Mahomet alluded to. Such a supposition is perfectly gratuitous, and
runs counter to the whole tenor of the Corân.