Middle East/North African Lit discussion
This topic is about
The Speech of the Birds
Medieval Texts
>
References to the Holy Qur'an
Avery writes the Holy Koran.I prefer to spell it as the Qur'an. I initially tried to use the Yusuf Ali translation, but the references did not seem right to me.
1. He founded the Throne on waterFor the creatures of dust, life on wind
11:9. He it is Who created the heavens and the
earth in six Days - and His Throne was
over the waters - that He might try you,
which of you is best in conduct.
2. He held the heavens aboveEarth he kept in utmost lowliness
13:2 2. Allah is He Who raised the heavens
without any pillars that ye can see; is
firmly established on the throne (of
authority); He has subjected the sun and
the moon (to his Law)! Each one runs (its
course) for a term appointed. He doth
regulate all affairs, explaining the signs in
detail, that ye may believe with certainty in
the meeting with your Lord.
31:9. He created the heavens without any
pillars that ye can see; He set on the earth
mountains standing firm, lest it should
shake with you; and He scattered through
it beasts of all kinds. We send down rain
from the sky, and produce on the earth
every kind of noble creature, in pairs.
50:6. Do they not look at the sky above
them?- How We have made it and adorned
it, and there are no flaws in it?
50:77. And the earth- We have spread it out,
and set thereon mountains standing firm,
and produced therein every kind of
beautiful growth (in pairs)-
57:4. He it is Who created the heavens and the
earth in Six Days, and is moreover firmly
established on the Throne (of Authority).
He knows what enters within the earth and
what comes forth out of it, what comes
down from heaven and what mounts up to
it. And He is with you wheresoever ye
may be. And Allah sees well all that ye do.
27:62. Or, Who has made the earth firm to
live in; made rivers in its midst; set thereon
mountains immovable; and made a
separating bar between the two bodies of
flowing water? (can there be another) god
besides Allah. Nay, most of them know
not.
3.The heavens He pitched like a tent, Raised without pillars, but he made earth their floor
31:9. He created the heavens without any
pillars that ye can see; He set on the earth
mountains standing firm, lest it should
shake with you; and He scattered through
it beasts of all kinds. We send down rain
from the sky, and produce on the earth
every kind of noble creature, in pairs.
4. In six days he made the seven Stars appear,And with two letters made visible the Nine Spheres
( the letters are kaf and nun of the Arabic alphabet, to spell kun,"Be"
57:4. He it is Who created the heavens and the
earth in Six Days, and is moreover firmly
established on the Throne (of Authority).
He knows what enters within the earth and
what comes forth out of it, what comes
down from heaven and what mounts up to
it. And He is with you wheresoever ye
may be. And Allah sees well all that ye do.
2:111. To Him is due the primal origin of the
heavens and the earth: When He decreeth a
matter, He saith to it: "Be," and it is.
27:62. Or, Who has made the earth firm to
live in; made rivers in its midst; set thereon
mountains immovable; and made a
separating bar between the two bodies of
flowing water? (can there be another) god
besides Allah. Nay, most of them know
not.
32:82 does not exist.
40:70. It is He Who gives Life and Death; and
when He decides upon an affair, He says
to it, "Be", and it is.
2:27. It is He Who hath created for you all
things that are on earth; Moreover His
design comprehended the heavens, for He
gave order and perfection to the seven
firmaments; and of all things He hath
perfect knowledge.
7: Once He garnished fire with a nosegay.Abraham was catapulted into a fire which God transformed into a rose-bed
(Iranians use the idiom that a fire has produced "roses" when a fire has been fanned to burn brightly.)
21:61. They said, "We heard a youth talk of
them: He is called Abraham."
21:64. He said: "Nay, this was done by - this
is their biggest one! ask them, if they can
speak intelligently!"
37: 83-100
83. Behold! he said to his father and to his
people, "What is that which ye worship?
84. "Is it a falsehood- gods other than
Allah. that ye desire?
85. "Then what is your idea about the Lord
of the worlds?"
86. Then did he cast a glance at the Stars.
87. And he said, "I am indeed sick (at
heart)!"
88. So they turned away from him, and departed.
89. Then did he turn to their gods and said,
"will ye not eat (of the offerings before
you)?...
90. "What is the matter with you that ye
speak not (intelligently)?"
91. Then did he turn upon them, striking
(them) with the right hand.
92. Then came (the worshippers) with
hurried steps, and faced (him).
93. He said: "Worship ye that which ye
have (yourselves) carved?
94. "But Allah has created you and your
handwork!"
95. They said, "Build him a furnace, and
throw him into the blazing fire!"
96. (This failing), they then sought a
stratagem against him, but We made them
the ones most humiliated!
97. He said: "I will go to my Lord! He will
surely guide me!
98. "O my Lord! Grant me a righteous
(son)!"
99. So We gave him the good news of a
boy ready to suffer and forbear.
100. Then, when (the son) reached (the age
of) (serious) work with him,
21: 69. We said, "O Fire! be thou cool, and (a
means of) safety for Abraham!"
28:39. And he was arrogant and insolent in
the land, beyond reason,- He and his hosts:
they thought that they would not have to
return to Us!
20:77. But such as come to Him as Believers
who have worked righteous deeds,- for
them are ranks exalted,-
78. Gardens of Eternity, beneath which
flow rivers: they will dwell therein for aye:
such is the reward of those who purify
themselves (from evil).
79. We sent an inspiration to Moses:
"Travel by night with My servants, and
strike a dry path for them through the sea,
80. Without fear of being overtaken (by
Pharaoh) and without (any other) fear."
10: He tightened the waist of an ant like a hair-tipHe made it Solomon's bosom friend
27:16-19
16. And Solomon was David’s heir. He
said: "O ye people! We have been taught
the speech of birds, and on us has been
bestowed (a little) of all things: this is
indeed Grace manifest (from Allah.)"
17. And before Solomon were marshalled
his hosts,- of Jinns and men and birds, and
they were all kept in order and ranks.
18. At length, when they came to a (lowly)
valley of ants, one of the ants said: "O ye
ants, get into your habitations, lest
Solomon and his hosts crush you (under
foot) without knowing it."
19. So he smiled, amused at her speech;
and he said: "O my Lord! so order me that
I may be grateful for Thy favours, which
thou hast bestowed on me and on my
parents, and that I may work the
righteousness that will please Thee: And
admit me, by Thy Grace, to the ranks of
Thy righteous Servants."
13: Look first what he did to Adam:How He cast him into lifetimes of mourning
Legend has it that after explusion from the Garden, Adam alighted on a mountain in Ceylon (Serendib)where for long ages he bewailed his sin until God eventually accepted his repentance.
2:34. Then did Satan make them slip from
the (garden), and get them out of the state
(of felicity) in which they had been. We
said: "Get ye down, all (ye people), with
enmity between yourselves. On earth will
be your dwelling—place and your means
of livelihood — for a time."
14: Then see Noah, floater on the all-immersing flood,What he had borne a thousand years from the unbelievers
7:59-64
59. He said: "O my people! No wandering
is there in my (mind): on the contrary I am
an apostle from the Lord and Cherisher of
the worlds!
60. "I but fulfil towards you the duties of
my Lord’s mission: Sincere is my advice
to you, and I know from Allah something
that ye know not.
61. "Do ye wonder that there hath come to
you a message from your Lord, through a
man of your own people, to warn you,- so
that ye may fear Allah and haply receive
His Mercy?"
62. But they rejected him, and We
delivered him, and those with him, in the
Ark: but We overwhelmed in the flood
those who rejected Our signs. They were
indeed
63. To the ’Ad people, (We sent) Hud, one
of their (own) brethren: He said: O my
people! worship Allah. ye have no other
god but Him will ye not fear (Allah)?"
64. The leaders of the Unbelievers among
his people said: "Ah! we see thou art an
imbecile!" and "We think thou art a liar!"a blind people!
11: 25-49
25. But those who believe and work
righteousness, and humble themselves
before their Lord,- They will be
companions of the gardens, to dwell
therein for aye!
26. These two kinds (of men) may be
compared to the blind and deaf, and those
who can see and hear well. Are they equal
when compared? Will ye not then take
heed?
27. We sent Noah to his people (with a
mission): "I have come to you with a Clear
Warning:
28. "That ye serve none but Allah. Verily I
do fear for you the penalty of a grievous
day."
29. But the chiefs of the Unbelievers
among his people said: "We see (in) thee
nothing but a man like ourselves: Nor do
we see that any follow thee but the
meanest among us, in judgment immature:
Nor do we see in you (all) any merit above
us: in fact we thing ye are liars!"
30. He said: "O my people! See ye if (it be
that) I have a Clear Sign from my Lord,
and that He hath sent Mercy unto me from
His own presence, but that the Mercy hath
been obscured from your sight? shall we
compel you to accept it when ye are averse
to it?
31. "And O my people! I ask you for no
wealth in return: my reward is from none
but Allah. But I will not drive away (in
contempt) those who believe: for verily
they are to meet their Lord, and ye I see
are the ignorant ones!
32. "And O my people! who would help
me against Allah if I drove them away?
Will ye not then take heed?
33. "I tell you not that with me are the
treasures of Allah, nor do I know what is
hidden, nor claim I to be an angel. Nor yet
do I say, of those whom your eyes do
despise that Allah will not grant them (all)
that is good: Allah knoweth best what is in
their souls: I should, if I did, indeed be a
wrong-doer."
34. They said: "O Noah! thou hast
disputed with us, and (much) hast thou
prolonged the dispute with us: now bring
upon us what thou threatenest us with, if
thou speakest the truth!?"
35. He said: "Truly, Allah will bring it on
you if He wills,- and then, ye will not be
able to frustrate it!
36. "Of no profit will be my counsel to
you, much as I desire to give you (good)
counsel, if it be that Allah willeth to leave
you astray: He is your Lord! and to Him
will ye return!"
37. Or do they say, "He has forged it"?
Say: "If I had forged it, on me were my
sin! and I am free of the sins of which ye
are guilty!
38. It was revealed to Noah: "None of thy
people will believe except those who have
believed already! So grieve no longer over
their (evil) deeds.
39. "But construct an Ark under Our eyes
and Our inspiration, and address Me no
(further) on behalf of those who are in sin:
for they are about to be overwhelmed (in
the Flood)."
40. Forthwith he (starts) constructing the
Ark: Every time that the chiefs of his
people passed by him, they threw ridicule
on him. He said: "If ye ridicule us now, we
(in our turn) can look down on you with
ridicule likewise! "But soon will ye know
41. Who it is on whom will descend a
penalty that will cover them with shame,-
on whom will be unloosed a penalty
lasting:"
42. At length, behold! there came Our
command, and the fountains of the earth
gushed forth! We said: "Embark therein, of
each kind two, male and female, and your
family - except those against whom the
word has already gone forth,- and the
Believers." but only a few believed with
him.
43. So he said: "Embark ye on the Ark, In
the name of Allah, whether it move or be
at rest! For my Lord is, be sure, Oft-
Forgiving, Most Merciful!"
44. So the Ark floated with them on the
waves (towering) like mountains, and
Noah called out to his son, who had
separated himself (from the rest): "O my
son!embark with us, and be not with the
unbelievers!"
45. The son replied: "I will betake myself
to some mountain: it will save me from the
water." Noah said: "This day nothing can
save, from the command of Allah, any but
those on whom He hath mercy! "And the
waves came between them, and the son
was among those overwhelmed in the
Flood.
46. Then the word went forth: "O earth!
swallow up thy water, and O sky!
Withhold (thy rain)!" and the water abated,
and the matter was ended. The Ark rested
on Mount Judi, and the word went forth:
"Away with those who do wrong!"
47. And Noah called upon his Lord, and
said: "O my Lord! surely my son is of my
family! and Thy promise is true, and Thou
art the justest of Judges!"
48. He said: "O Noah! He is not of thy
family: For his conduct is unrighteous. So
ask not of Me that of which thou hast no
knowledge! I give thee counsel, lest thou
act like the ignorant!"
49. Noah said: "O my Lord! I do seek
refuge with Thee, lest I ask Thee for that
of which I have no knowledge. And unless
thou forgive me and have Mercy on me, I
should indeed be lost!"
16: And Ishmael see, the grieving,For he'd become the lamb for the slaughter in the Way of the Friend
gives the story of Abraham's dream in which God seems to command him to sacrifice his son, who consents to this, but God satisfied with Abraham's fidelity, intervenes and permits a more usual form of ritual sacrifice instead of Isaac, or Ishmael, Abraham's son by Hagar, For this Koranic account of the sacrifice, the name of the son is not given, though Isaac is mentioned 5 verses later. It seems,however, that in the Koranic chapters associated with later periods of the Revelation,Ishmael takes precedece over Isaac and certainly the story of this sacrifice is commonly linked with the former, not as in Genesis XXII with Isaac.
37: 101. He said: "O my son! I see in vision
that I offer thee in sacrifice: Now see what
is thy view!"
102. (The son) said: "O my father! Do as
thou art commanded: thou will find me, if
Allah so wills one practising Patience and
Constancy!"
103. So when they had both submitted
their wills (to Allah), and he had laid him
prostrate on his forehead (for sacrifice),
104. We called out to him "O Abraham!
105. "Thou hast already fulfilled the
vision!" - thus indeed do We reward those
who do right.
106. For this was obviously a trial-
107. And We ransomed him with a
momentous sacrifice:
108. And We left (this blessing) for him
among generations (to come) in later
times:
109. "Peace and salutation to Abraham!"
110. Thus indeed do We reward those who
do right.
111. For he was one of our believing
Servants.
112. And We gave him the good news of
Isaac - a prophet,- one of the Righteous.
113. We blessed him and Isaac: but of
their progeny are (some) that do right, and
(some) that obviously do wrong, to their
own souls.
The reference to God as " The Friend" may also be taken as an allusion to the designation of Abraham as one whom God took as a friend Khalilu'llah "Friend of God" became a common designation of Abraham. The Sufi connotaiton of " The Friend" should also be remembered.
4:124. Who can be better in religion than
one who submits his whole self to Allah,
does good, and follows the way of
Abraham the true in Faith? For Allah did
take Abraham for a friend.
17: Look at Joseph in the judgement seat,Servitude, the pit and prison passed.
7:17. (Allah) said: "Get out from this,
disgraced and expelled. If any of them
follow thee,- Hell will I fill with you all.
19. Then began Satan to whisper
suggestions to them, bringing openly
before their minds all their shame that was
hidden from them (before): he said: "Your
Lord only forbade you this tree, lest ye
should become angels or such beings as
live for ever."
Re: servitude 7: 23-53
23. (Allah) said: "Get ye down. With
enmity between yourselves. On earth will
be your dwelling-place and your means of
livelihood,- for a time."
24. He said: "Therein shall ye live, and
therein shall ye die; but from it shall ye be
taken out (at last)."
25. O ye Children of Adam! We have
bestowed raiment upon you to cover your
shame, as well as to be an adornment to
you. But the raiment of righteousness,- that
is the best. Such are among the Signs of
Allah, that they may receive admonition!
26. O ye Children of Adam! Let not Satan
seduce you, in the same manner as He got
your parents out of the Garden, stripping
them of their raiment, to expose their
shame: for he and his tribe watch you from
a position where ye cannot see them: We
made the evil ones friends (only) to those
without faith.
27. When they do aught that is shameful,
they say: "We found our fathers doing so";
and "(Allah) commanded us thus": Say:
"Nay, Allah never commands what is
shameful: do ye say of Allah what ye
know not?"
28. Say: "My Lord hath commanded
justice; and that ye set your whole selves
(to Him) at every time and place of prayer,
and call upon Him, making your devotion
sincere as in His sight: such as He created
you in the beginning, so shall ye return."
Some He hath guided: Others have (by
their choice) deserved the loss of their
way; in that they took the evil ones, in
preference to Allah, for their friends and
protectors, and think that they receive
guidance.
29. O Children of Adam! wear your
beautiful apparel at every time and place
of prayer: eat and drink: But waste not by
excess, for Allah loveth not the wasters.
30. Say: Who hath forbidden the beautiful
(gifts) of Allah, which He hath produced
for His servants, and the things, clean and
pure, (which He hath provided) for
sustenance? Say: They are, in the life of
this world, for those who believe, (and)
purely for them on the Day of Judgment.
Thus do We explain the signs in detail for
those who understand.
31. Say: the things that my Lord hath
indeed forbidden are: shameful deeds,
whether open or secret; sins and trespasses
against truth or reason; assigning of
partners to Allah, for which He hath given
no authority; and saying things about Allah
of which ye have no knowledge.
32. To every people is a term appointed:
when their term is reached, not an hour can
they cause delay, nor (an hour) can they
advance (it in anticipation).
33. O ye Children of Adam! whenever
there come to you apostles from amongst
you, rehearsing My signs unto you,- those
who are righteous and mend (their lives),-
on them shall be no fear nor shall they
grieve.
34. But those who reject Our signs and
treat them with arrogance,- they are
companions of the Fire, to dwell therein
(for ever).
35. Who is more unjust than one who
invents a lie against Allah or rejects His
Signs? For such, their portion appointed
must reach them from the Book (of
decrees): until, when our messengers (of
death) arrive and take their souls, they say:
"Where are the things that ye used to
invoke besides Allah." They will reply,
"They have left us in the lurch," And they
will bear witness against themselves, that
they had rejected Allah.
36. He will say: "Enter ye in the company
of the peoples who passed away before
you - men and Jinns, - into the Fire." Every
time a new people enters, it curses its
sister-people (that went before), until they
follow each other, all into the Fire. Saith
the last about the first: "Our Lord! it is
these that misled us: so give them a double
penalty in the Fire." He will say: "Doubled
for all" : but this ye do not understand.
37. Then the first will say to the last: "See
then! No advantage have ye over us; so
taste ye of the penalty for all that ye did !"
38. To those who reject Our signs and treat
them with arrogance, no opening will there
be of the gates of heaven, nor will they
enter the garden, until the camel can pass
through the eye of the needle: Such is Our
reward for those in sin.
39. For them there is Hell, as a couch
(below) and folds and folds of covering
above: such is Our requital of those who
do wrong.
40. But those who believe and work
righteousness,- no burden do We place on
any soul, but that which it can bear,- they
will be Companions of the Garden, therein
to dwell (for ever).
41. And We shall remove from their hearts
any lurking sense of injury;- beneath them
will be rivers flowing;- and they shall say:
"Praise be to Allah, who hath guided us to
this (felicity): never could we have found
guidance, had it not been for the guidance
of Allah. indeed it was the truth, that the
apostles of our Lord brought unto us." And
they shall hear the cry: "Behold! the
garden before you! Ye have been made its
inheritors, for your deeds (of
righteousness)."
42. The Companions of the Garden will
call out to the Companions of the Fire:
"We have indeed found the promises of
our Lord to us true: Have you also found
Your Lord’s promises true?" They shall
say, "Yes"; but a crier shall proclaim
between them: "The curse of Allah is on
the wrong-doers;-
43. "Those who would hinder (men) from
the path of Allah and would seek in it
something crooked: they were those who
denied the Hereafter."
44. Between them shall be a veil, and on
the heights will be men who would know
every one by his marks: they will call out
to the Companions of the Garden, "peace
on you": they will not have entered, but
they will have an assurance (thereof).
45. When their eyes shall be turned
towards the Companions of the Fire, they
will say: "Our Lord! send us not to the
company of the wrong-doers."
46. The men on the heights will call to
certain men whom they will know from
their marks, saying: "Of what profit to you
were your hoards and your arrogant ways?
47. "Behold! are these not the men whom
you swore that Allah with His Mercy
would never bless? Enter ye the Garden:
no fear shall be on you, nor shall ye
grieve."
48. The Companions of the Fire will call to
the Companions of the Garden: "Pour
down to us water or anything that Allah
doth provide for your sustenance." They
will say: "Both these things hath Allah
forbidden to those who rejected Him."
49. "Such as took their religion to be mere
amusement and play, and were deceived
by the life of the world." That day shall
We forget them as they forgot the meeting
of this day of theirs, and as they were wont
to reject Our signs.
50. For We had certainly sent unto them a
Book, based on knowledge, which We
explained in detail,- a guide and a mercy to
all who believe.
51. Do they just wait for the final
fulfilment of the event? On the day the
event is finally fulfilled, those who
disregarded it before will say: "The
apostles of our Lord did indeed bring true
(tidings). Have we no intercessors now to
intercede on our behalf? Or could we be
sent back? then should we behave
differently from our behaviour in the past."
In fact they will have lost their souls, and
the things they invented will leave them in
the lurch.
52. Your Guardian-Lord is Allah, Who
created the heavens and the earth in six
days, and is firmly established on the
throne (of authority): He draweth the night
as a veil o’er the day, each seeking the
other in rapid succession: He created the
sun, the moon, and the stars, (all) governed
by laws under His command. Is it not His
to create and to govern? Blessed be Allah,
the Cherisher and Sustainer of the worlds!
53. Call on your Lord with humility and in
private: for Allah loveth not those who
trespass beyond bounds.
54. Do no mischief on the earth, after it
hath been set in order, but call on Him
with fear and longing (in your hearts): for
the Mercy of Allah is (always) near to
those who do good.
18: Regard Job the long tried,Left among worms, and wolves before him.
38:40-44
40. Commemorate Our Servant Job.
Behold he cried to his Lord: "The Evil One
has afflicted me with distress and
suffering!"
41. (The command was given:) "Strike
with thy foot: here is (water) wherein to
wash, cool and refreshing, and (water) to
drink."
42. And We gave him (back) his people,
and doubled their number,- as a Grace
from Ourselves, and a thing for
commemoration, for all who have
Understanding.
43. "And take in thy hand a little grass, and
strike therewith: and break not (thy oath)."
Truly We found him full of patience and
constancy.
44. How excellent in Our service! ever did
he turn (to Us)!
21: 83,84
83. And (remember) Job, when He cried to
his Lord, "Truly distress has seized me, but
Thou art the Most Merciful of those that
are merciful."
84. So We listened to him: We removed
the distress that was on him, and We
restored his people to him, and doubled
their number,- as a Grace from Ourselves,
and a thing for commemoration, for all
who serve Us.
20: And see Moses at the beginning of time,A Pharaonic nurse, a coffin having become a cradle.
28:5. To establish a firm place for them in the
land, and to show Pharaoh, Haman, and
their hosts, at their hands, the very things
against which they were taking
precautions.
6. So We sent this inspiration to the
mother of Moses: "Suckle (thy child), but
when thou hast fears about him, cast him
into the river, but fear not nor grieve: for
We shall restore him to thee, and We shall
make him one of Our apostles."
7. Then the people of Pharaoh picked him
up (from the river): (It was intended) that
(Moses) should be to them an adversary
and a cause of sorrow: for Pharaoh and
Haman and (all) their hosts were men of
sin.
8. The wife of Pharaoh said: "(Here is) joy
of the eye, for me and for thee: slay him
not. It may be that he will be use to us, or
we may adopt him as a son." And they
perceived not (what they were doing)!
9. But there came to be a void in the heart
of the mother of Moses: She was going
almost to disclose his (case), had We not
strengthened her heart (with faith), so that
she might remain a (firm) believer.
10. And she said to the sister of (Moses),
"Follow him" so she (the sister) watched
him in the character of a stranger. And
they knew not.
In a moving account of Moses' adoption by the Pharoah's wife it is the latter who takes a liking to the baby Moses. Moses' mother was employed to nurse him.
12:21. The man in Egypt who bought him,
said to his wife: "Make his stay (among
us) honourable: may be he will bring us
much good, or we shall adopt him as a
son." Thus did We establish Joseph in the
land, that We might teach him the
interpretation of stories (and events). And
Allah hath full power and control over His
affairs; but most among mankind know it
not.
21: Look upon David the maker of chain-mail,Iron melted to wax by his heart's passion.
21:80. It was We Who taught him the making
of coats of mail for your benefit, to guard
you from each other’s violence: will ye
then be grateful?
where David's favours from God included the skill to make coats of mail
34:10 We bestowed Grace aforetime on
David from ourselves: "O ye Mountains!
Sing ye back the Praises of Allah with
him! and ye birds (also)! And We made
the iron soft for him;- (Commanding),
"Make thou coast of mail, balancing well
the rings of chain armour, and work ye
righteousness; for be sure I see (clearly) all
that ye do."
and iron became malleable in his hands.
23: See also him whose heart brimmed over,He fell silent before the sword touched his head.
In Islamic traditon, Zachariah, or Zacharias, he of Saint Luke's Gospel, Chapter 1, was falsely charged by the Jews with having committed adultery with the Virigin Mary, of whom according to the Koran he was made protector during her pregnancy, The legend is that fleeing from his culumniators, he hid in a tree that opened for him and closed when he had entered. The Devil managed to catch part of his clothing and gave away his whereabouts. As in the Qisasu'l -Anbiya ("Tales of the Prophets") .. when his pursuers started to saw the tree in half, he cried to God for help. God told him that if he continued crying, he would be excluded from the list of Prophets. Hence, before the teeth of the saw touched his head, he fell silent. In the Apocrypha, Esdras 1 vi, 3 Zacharias is mentioned as Prophet.
24: And John, his head, as if a candleOn a dish, cruelly paraded before the company.
The Islamic version of what happened to John the Baptist differs in details but to all intents and purposes this allusion reads like a reference to the account in Mathew XIV, 3-11.
For John's status 3:34. "(Allah) doth give thee glad tidings of Yahya, witnessing the truth of a Word from Allah, and (be besides) noble, chaste,
and a Prophet,— of the (goodly) company
of the righteous."as a prophet,
his light as such is alluded to " as if a candle".
28: For it is thus that we are each other's neighbour,You like the sun and I, the moon shadowing each other.
In the Koran references to God's closeness to Man are not lacking
50:15. It was We Who created man, and We
know what dark suggestions his soul
makes to him: for We are nearer to him
than (his) jugular vein.
57:6. He merges Night into Day, and He
merges Day into Night; and He has full
knowledge of the secrets of (all) hearts.
58:8. Seest thou not that Allah doth know (all)
that is in the heavens and on earth? There
is not a secret consultation between three,
but He makes the fourth among them, -
Nor between five but He makes the sixth,-
nor between fewer nor more, but He is in
their midst, wheresoever they be: In the
end will He tell them the truth of their
conduct, on the Day of Judgment. For
Allah has full knowledge of all things.
29: For it is thus that we are each other's neighbour,You like the sun and I, the moon, shadowing each other.
What O'Provider, of those without substance,
If you withold the neighbour's due?
36: 37-40
37. And a Sign for them is the Night: We
withdraw therefrom the Day, and behold
they are plunged in darkness;
38. And the sun runs his course for a
period determined for him: that is the
decree of (Him), the Exalted in Might, the
All-Knowing.
39. And the Moon,- We have measured for
her mansions (to traverse) till she returns
like the old (and withered) lower part of a
date-stalk.
40. It is not permitted to the Sun to catch
up the Moon, nor can the Night outstrip
the Day: Each (just) swims along in (its
own) orbit (according to Law).
For "Provider" (ar-Razzaq)
51: 58. For Allah is He Who gives (all)
Sustenance,- Lord of Power,- Steadfast
(for ever).
32: He blotched the tulip's blades with blood.He made the axure garden out of smoke
41: 11. So He completed them as seven
firmaments in two Days, and He assigned
to each heaven its duty and command. And
We adorned the lower heaven with lights,
and (provided it) with guard. Such is the
Decree of (Him) the Exalted in Might, Full
of Knowledge.
"Then He straightened Himself up to the sky, which was smoke..."
33: In adoration of him day and night the sun and moonLay their brows onto the dust of the way.
22:18. Seest thou not that to Allah bow down
in worship all things that are in the
heavens and on earth,- the sun, the moon,
the stars; the hills, the trees, the animals;
and a great number among mankind? But a
great number are (also) such as are fit for
Punishment:
34. Their is their scar from this prostration;whence without the worshipping posturing would the scar have existence?
48:29. Muhammad is the apostle of Allah. and
those who are with him are strong against
Unbelievers, (but) compassionate amongst
each other. Thou wilt see them bow and
prostrate themselves (in prayer), seeking
Grace from Allah and (His) Good
Pleasure. On their faces are their marks,
(being) the traces of their prostration. This
is their similitude in the Taurat; and their
similitude in the Gospel is: like a seed
which sends forth its blade, then makes it
strong; it then becomes thick, and it stands
on its own stem, (filling) the sowers with
wonder and delight. As a result, it fills the
Unbelievers with rage at them. Allah has
promised those among them who believe
and do righteous deeds forgiveness, and a
great Reward.
35: With His wide cheer He lights up the bright day;Night He dampens with His withholding.
2:246. Who is he that will loan to Allah a
beautiful loan, which Allah will double
unto his credit and multiply many times? It
is Allah that giveth (you) Want or plenty,
and to Him shall be your return.
37: When he breathes a breath into clay, He makes Adam,And out of vapour and smoke He makes the whole world.
15:29. "When I have fashioned him (in due
proportion) and breathed into him of My
spirit, fall ye down in obeisance unto him."
41:11. So He completed them as seven
firmaments in two Days, and He assigned
to each heaven its duty and command. And
We adorned the lower heaven with lights,
and (provided it) with guard. Such is the
Decree of (Him) the Exalted in Might, Full
of Knowledge.
38: Sometimes He might grant a dog an audience,Sometimes He makes the road revealed by a cat.
The first verse alludes to "The Seven Sleepers of Ephesus. The dog is mentioned as having been with them, its fore paws stretched out on the threshold of the cave.
The reference to the cat alludes to the intimate companion of the Prophet's later years, Abdullah or Abd ar Rahman nicknamed Abu Huraira "Father of the Kitten", because he used to sit in the Prophet's presence with a kitten on his shoulder or head.
18:.24. So they stayed in their Cave three
hundred years, and (some) add nine (more)
39. There was a time when He gave Solomon a staff.34:13. Then, when We decreed (Solomon’s)
death, nothing showed them his death
except a little worm of the earth, which
kept (slowly) gnawing away at his staff: so
when he fell down, the Jinns saw plainly
that if they had known the unseen, they
would not have tarried in the humiliating
Penalty (of their Task).
40: There was a time when He gave an ant knowledge of speech.27:18. At length, when they came to a (lowly)
valley of ants, one of the ants said: "O ye
ants, get into your habitations, lest
Solomon and his hosts crush you (under
foot) without knowing it."
27:19 So he smiled, amused at her speech;
and he said: "O my Lord! so order me that
I may be grateful for Thy favours, which
thou hast bestowed on me and on my
parents, and that I may work the
righteousness that will please Thee: And
admit me, by Thy Grace, to the ranks of
Thy righteous Servants."
41.He brought forth a serpent from a rod.20:19-21
19. He said, "It is my rod: on it I lean; with
it I beat down fodder for my flocks; and in
it I find other uses."
20. (Allah) said, "Throw it, O Moses!"
21. He threw it, and behold! It was a
snake, active in motion.
42. And He made the Deluge issue from an oven.11:42. At length, behold! there came Our
command, and the fountains of the earth
gushed forth! We said: "Embark therein, of
each kind two, male and female, and your
family - except those against whom the
word has already gone forth,- and the
Believers." but only a few believed with
him.
43. He brought the camel out of a rock26:153-157
153. They said: "Thou art only one of
those bewitched!
154. "Thou art no more than a mortal like
us: then bring us a Sign, if thou tellest the
truth!"
155. He said: "Here is a she-camel: she has
a right of watering, and ye have a right of
watering, (severally) on a day appointed.
156. "Touch her not with harm, lest the
Penalty of a Great Day seize you."
157. But they ham-strung her: then did
they become full of regrets.
27:46-54
46. We sent (aforetime), to the Thamud,
their brother Salih, saying, "Serve Allah.:
But behold, they became two factions
quarrelling with each other.
47. He said: "O my people! why ask ye to
hasten on the evil in preference to the
good? If only ye ask Allah for forgiveness,
ye may hope to receive mercy.
48. They said: "Ill omen do we augur from
thee and those that are with thee". He said:
"Your ill omen is with Allah. yea, ye are a
people under trial."
49. There were in the city nine men of a
family, who made mischief in the land,
and would not reform.
50. They said: "Swear a mutual oath by
Allah that we shall make a secret night
attack on him and his people, and that we
shall then say to his heir (when he seeks
vengeance): ’We were not present at the
slaughter of his people, and we are
positively telling the truth.’"
51. They plotted and planned, but We too
planned, even while they perceived it not.
52. Then see what was the end of their
plot!- this, that We destroyed them and
their people, all (of them).
53. Now such were their houses, - in utter
ruin, - because they practised wrongdoing.
Verily in this is a Sign for people of
knowledge.
54. And We saved those who believed and
practised righteousness.
44.He brought the golden calf into portentous lowing.20:87-91
87. (Allah) said: "We have tested thy
people in thy absence: the Samiri has led
them astray."
88. So Moses returned to his people in a
state of indignation and sorrow.
89. He said: "O my people! did not your
Lord make a handsome promise to you?
Did then the promise seem to you long (in
coming)? Or did ye desire that Wrath
should descend from your Lord on you,
and so ye broke your promise to me?"
90. They said: "We broke not the promise
to thee, as far as lay in our power: but we
were made to carry the weight of the
ornaments of the (whole) people, and we
threw them (into the fire), and that was
what the Samiri suggested. "Then he
brought out (of the fire) before the
(people) the image of a calf: It seemed to
low: so they said: This is your god, and the
god of Moses, but (Moses) has forgotten!"
91. Could they not see that it could not
return them a word (for answer), and that it
had no power either to harm them or to do
them good?
48.When it became perceptive, the Covenant was granted to intelligence;the intellect was drowned in confusion and set the body working.
7:171. When thy Lord drew forth from the
Children of Adam - from their loins - their
descendants, and made them testify
concerning themselves, (saying): "Am I
not your Lord (who cherishes and sustains
you)?"- They said: "Yea! We do testify!"
(This), lest ye should say on the Day of
Judgment: "Of this we were never
mindful":
20:114. We had already, beforehand, taken
the covenant of Adam, but he forgot: and
We found on his part no firm resolve.
49. He made the mountains the pins of the earth from the beginning.Then the earth's face He washed with the sea.
78:6,7
6. Have We not made the earth as a wide
expanse,
7. And the mountains as pegs?
22:5. O mankind! if ye have a doubt about the
Resurrection, (consider) that We created
you out of dust, then out of sperm, then out
of a leech-like clot, then out of a morsel of
flesh, partly formed and partly unformed,
in order that We may manifest (our power)
to you; and We cause whom We will to
rest in the wombs for an appointed term,
then do We bring you out as babes, then
(foster you) that ye may reach your age of
full strength; and some of you are called to
die, and some are sent back to the feeblest
old age, so that they know nothing after
having known (much), and (further), thou
seest the earth barren and lifeless, but
when We pour down rain on it, it is stirred
(to life), it swells, and it puts forth every
kind of beautiful growth (in pairs).
27:61. Or, Who has created the heavens and
the earth, and Who sends you down rain
from the sky? Yea, with it We cause to
grow well-planted orchards full of beauty
of delight: it is not in your power to cause
the growth of the trees in them. (Can there
be another) god besides Allah. Nay, they
are a people who swerve from justice.
52. It is those who cannot see straight who fall into error:This is the sightedness of the man who denies God attributes.
42:9. (He is) the Creator of the heavens and
the earth: He has made for you pairs from
among yourselves, and pairs among cattle:
by this means does He multiply you: there
is nothing whatever like unto Him, and He
is the One that hears and sees (all things).
7:52. Your Guardian-Lord is Allah, Who
created the heavens and the earth in six
days, and is firmly established on the
throne (of authority): He draweth the night
as a veil o’er the day, each seeking the
other in rapid succession: He created the
sun, the moon, and the stars, (all) governed
by laws under His command. Is it not His
to create and to govern? Blessed be Allah,
the Cherisher and Sustainer of the worlds!
53. Strange, how everyone's girded for the quest,But far from all and yet sitting with Him,
50:15. It was We Who created man, and We
know what dark suggestions his soul
makes to him: for We are nearer to him
than (his) jugular vein.
55.Neither has earth ever seen Your dust,Although it's put dust on its head in yearning for You.
6:103. No vision can grasp Him, but His
grasp is over all vision: He is above all
comprehension, yet is acquainted with all
things.
58. The part the creature has of Him is no more than a fantasy:Giving news of Him is none other than an impossibility.
10:37. But most of them follow nothing but
fancy: truly fancy can be of no avail
against truth. Verily Allah is well aware of
all that they do.
59. Nobody in consciousness or unconsciousnessHas any portion of Him save those who [fulfill the duties of the Faith]
103:3. Except such as have Faith, and do
righteous deeds, and (join together) in the
mutual teaching of Truth, and of Patience
and Constancy.
10:90. We took the Children of Israel across
the sea: Pharaoh and his hosts followed
them in insolence and spite. At length,
when overwhelmed with the flood, he said:
"I believe that there is no god except Him
Whom the Children of Israel believe in: I
am of those who submit (to Allah in
Islam)."
25:66-72
66. Those who say, "Our Lord! avert from
us the Wrath of Hell, for its Wrath is
indeed an affliction grievous,- "Evil indeed
is it as an abode, and as a place to rest in";
67. Those who, when they spend, are not
extravagant and not niggardly, but hold a
just (balance) between those (extremes);
68. Those who invoke not, with Allah, any
other god, nor slay such life as Allah has
made sacred except for just cause, nor
commit fornication; - and any that does
this (not only) meets punishment.
69. (But) the Penalty on the Day of
Judgment will be doubled to him, and he
will dwell therein in ignominy,-
70. Unless he repents, believes, and works
righteous deeds, for Allah will change the
evil of such persons into good, and Allah
is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful,
71. And whoever repents and does good
has truly turned to Allah with an
(acceptable) conversion;-
72. Those who witness no falsehood, and,
if they pass by futility, they pass by it with
honourable (avoidance);
73. Those who, when they are admonished
with the Signs of their Lord, droop not
down at them as if they were deaf or blind;
74. And those who pray, "Our Lord! Grant
unto us wives and offspring who will be
the comfort of our eyes, and give us (the
grace) to lead the righteous."
75. Those are the ones who will be
rewarded with the highest place in heaven,
because of their patient constancy: therein
shall they be met with salutations and
peace,
70:22-35
22. Not so those devoted to Prayer;-
23. Those who remain steadfast to their
prayer;
24. And those in whose wealth is a
recognised right.
25. For the (needy) who asks and him who
is prevented (for some reason from
asking);
26. And those who hold to the truth of the
Day of Judgment;
27. And those who fear the displeasure of
their Lord,-
28. For their Lord’s displeasure is the
opposite of Peace and Tranquillity;-
29. And those who guard their chastity,
30. Except with their wives and the
(captives) whom their right hands possess,-
for (then) they are not to be blamed,
31. But those who trespass beyond this are
transgressors;-
32. And those who respect their trusts and
covenants;
33. And those who stand firm in their
testimonies;
34. And those who guard (the sacredness)
of their worship;-
35. Such will be the honoured ones in the
Gardens (of Bliss).
62. Whoever has not found the pearl and the sea,Has become Not, and has not discovered that "There is none other but God".
28: 88. And call not, besides Allah, on another
god. There is no god but He. Everything
(that exists) will perish except His own
Face. To Him belongs the Command, and
to Him will ye (all) be brought back.
66. O you, the offspring of the Deputy who lack inward awareness,With the Father, you, having the same grace, the same way enter into inward awareness.
2:28. Behold, thy Lord said to the angels: "I
will create a vicegerent on earth." They
said: "Wilt Thou place therein one who
will make mischief therein and shed
blood?— whilst we do celebrate Thy
praises and glorify Thy holy (name)?" He
said: "I know what ye know not."
67.That one who turned his head away from worshipping him,Became a monster and accursed, and did not share the secret
.
2:32. And behold, We said to the angels:
"Bow down to Adam" and they bowed
down. Not so Iblis: he refused and was
haughty: He was of those who reject Faith.
72.Seal the lips concerning the Throne and about the Dais do not ask.Though all you asked were one small particle, ask not.
11:9. He it is Who created the heavens and the
earth in six Days - and His Throne was
over the waters - that He might try you,
which of you is best in conduct.
20:4. (Allah) Most Gracious is firmly
established on the throne (of authority).
69:17. And the angels will be on its sides, and
eight will, that Day, bear the Throne of thy
Lord above them.
2:256. Allah. There is no god but He,—the
Living, the Self—subsisting, Eternal. No
slumber can seize Him nor sleep. His are
all things in the heavens and on earth. Who
is there can intercede in His presence
except as He permitteth? He knoweth what
(appeareth to His creatures as) before or
after or behind them. Nor shall they
compass aught of His knowledge except as
He willeth. His Throne doth extend over
the heavens and the earth, and He feeleth
no fatigue in guarding and preserving them
for He is the Most High, the Supreme (in
glory).
81. Sun of the Divine Law and Ocean of Certitude,Light of the World, a Mercy for the Worlds,
21:107. We sent thee not, but as a Mercy for
all creatures.
83. Encompasser of the Miraculous Ascent and Leader of the Created Beings,The Shadow of God, Master of the Sun of the Essence;
17:1. Glory to (Allah) Who did take His
servant for a Journey by night from the
Sacred Mosque to the farthest Mosque,
whose precincts We did bless,- in order
that We might show him some of Our
Signs: for He is the One Who heareth and
seeth (all things).
85.Himself "The Master of the Spaces" he called."Verily I am the mercy of the wide spaces" he said.
20:106. "He will leave them as plains smooth
and level; "nothing crooked or curved wilt
thou see in their place."
21:107. On that Day will they follow the
Caller (straight): no crookedness (can they
show) him: all sounds shall humble
themselves in the Presence of (Allah) Most
Gracious: nothing shalt thou hear but the
tramp of their feet (as they march).
97.The secret of the spirit is from the World of Thought alone:Only "Did I breathe a breath from my spirit into him".
15:29. "When I have fashioned him (in due
proportion) and breathed into him of My
spirit, fall ye down in obeisance unto him."
98. Since the hangers -on of his Light the people came,The Apostle to all because of this he inevitably became.
7:157-158
157. Say: "O men! I am sent unto you all,
as the Messenger of Allah,
158. To Whom belongeth the dominion of
the heavens and the earth: there is no god
but He: it is He That giveth both life and
death. So believe in Allah and His
Messenger, the Unlettered Prophet, who
believeth in Allah and His words: follow
him that (so) ye may be guided."
100. He made the call likewise, with the consent of the Creator,Clear to the Jinns on the Night of the Jinns.
46:28-31
28. Behold, We turned towards thee a
company of Jinns (quietly) listening to the
Qur’an: when they stood in the presence
thereof, they said, "Listen in silence!"
When the (reading) was finished, they
returned to their people, to warn (them of
their sins).
29. They said, "O our people! We have
heard a Book revealed after Moses,
confirming what came before it: it guides
(men) to the Truth and to a Straight Path.
30. "O our people, hearken to the one who
invites (you) to Allah, and believe in him:
He will forgive you your faults, and
deliver you from a Penalty Grievous.
31. "If any does not hearken to the one
who invites (us) to Allah, he cannot
frustrate (Allah’s Plan) on earth, and no
protectors can he have besides Allah. such
men (wander) in manifest error."
72:1-19
1. Say: It has been revealed to me that a
company of Jinns listened (to the Qur’an).
They said, ’We have really heard a
wonderful Recital!
2. ’It gives guidance to the Right, and we
have believed therein: we shall not join (in
worship) any (gods) with our Lord.
3. ’And Exalted is the Majesty of our
Lord: He has taken neither a wife nor a
son.
4. ’There were some foolish ones among
us, who used to utter extravagant lies
against Allah.
5. ’But we do think that no man or spirit
should say aught that untrue against Allah.
6. ’True, there were persons among
mankind who took shelter with persons
among the Jinns, but they increased them
in folly.
7. ’And they (came to) think as ye thought,
that Allah would not raise up any one (to
Judgment).
8. ’And we pried into the secrets of
heaven; but we found it filled with stern
guards and flaming fires.
9. ’We used, indeed, to sit there in
(hidden) stations, to (steal) a hearing; but
any who listen now will find a flaming fire
watching him in ambush.
10. ’And we understand not whether ill is
intended to those on earth, or whether their
Lord (really) intends to guide them to right
conduct.
11. ’There are among us some that are
righteous, and some the contrary: we
follow divergent paths.
12. ’But we think that we can by no means
frustrate Allah throughout the earth, nor
can we frustrate Him by flight.
13. ’And as for us, since we have listened
to the Guidance, we have accepted it: and
any who believes in his Lord has no fear,
either of a short (account) or of any
injustice.
14. ’Amongst us are some that submit their
wills (to Allah), and some that swerve
from justice. Now those who submit their
wills - they have sought out (the path) of
right conduct:
15. ’But those who swerve,- they are (but)
fuel for Hell-fire’-
watching him in ambush.
16. (And Allah’s Message is): "If they (the
Pagans) had (only) remained on the (right)
Way, We should certainly have bestowed
on them Rain in abundance.
17. "That We might try them by that
(means). But if any turns away from the
remembrance of his Lord, He will cause
him to undergo a severe Penalty.
18. "And the places of worship are for
Allah (alone): So invoke not any one along
with Allah.
19. "Yet when the Devotee of Allah stands
forth to invoke Him, they just make round
him a dense crowd."
103.The Summoner to God for the idols of the world was he, too.Head over heels they tumbled before him.
46.30-31
30. "O our people, hearken to the one who
invites (you) to Allah, and believe in him:
He will forgive you your faults, and
deliver you from a Penalty Grievous.
31. "If any does not hearken to the one
who invites (us) to Allah, he cannot
frustrate (Allah’s Plan) on earth, and no
protectors can he have besides Allah. such
men (wander) in manifest error."
109.That which is the specialty of him alone,How should anyone else see it in dreams?
2:73. And there are among them illiterates,
who know not the Book, but (see therein
their own) desires, and they do nothing but
conjecture. Then woe to those who write
the Book with their own hands, and then
say: "This is from Allah," to traffic with it
for miserable price!— Woe to them for
what their hands do write, and for the gain
they make thereby.
I was only able to locate an 1834 Fluegel translation and not the 1881 and 1852 editions Avery used. I will use this to post the Quranic references as I come across them.