ABSTRACT

THIS is a distinctively Makkan chapter. Its title is found in ver. 9, where a visible smoke is mentioned. The subject of the preacher IS the necessity of accepting Islam. The Quran, he declares, is a reve-

. lation from the only true God. This revelation the people had rejected, especially its teaching concerning the resurrection and the judgment. They had even charged their Prophet with forgery and with being a madman. They are now warned of coming calamity of Divine vengeance, unless they immediately repent and accept Islam. This instruction is enforced by reference to the destruction of Pharaoh and his hosts, and of the people of Tubba, for their unbelief, and for their ignominious treatment of the prophets or" God. To this is added a description of the horrors of hell and the joys of Paradise. The chapter ends with a notice of the Divine condescension in giving the Arab people his Word in their own language.