[1] This argument seems inconclusive. If two words are synonymous, it is not necessary for them to have the same preposition, al-Mawlā () and al-awlā () have the same meaning – guardian, master, but the former is used without a preposition while the latter is followed by the preposition “bi” ( = for, with, etc.)

[2] As may be seen in the verses 36:60-62, quoted above.

 

[3] For example: And We have guarded it (i.e. the heaven) against every accursed Satan, but he who steals a hearing; so there follows him a visible flame (15:17-18).

1 The first and third replies seem strange, to say the least. The author himself has said (while commenting on the phrase, " . . . the Satan made them both slip from it") that the order to "get down" or to "get out" may mean, "Get down from the company of the angels; or, get down from the heaven". But here he rejects the second alternative altogether! The third reply is based on an unacceptable analogy - that which overlooks the important differences between the two sides. If the Satan is governed by time and space how does it imply that Allāh too should be governed by them? Moreover, in the same commentary the author has proved on the strength of this same verse that "the Satan had visited them near that tree in the Garden. He entered the Garden . . . (and) Adam, his wife and the Satan all were removed from the Garden together." This leaves us with the second reply, which is doubtlessly without any flaw and is supported by the Qur’ān. (tr.)

2 That is, Abu 's-Salt Abdu 's-Salām ibn Sālih al -Harawī.

1 It is not in accord with the author's earlier assertion that the verse 2:36 describes Adam's removal from the earlier-held place of honour to the courtyard of the Garden; after which he learned "some words" from Allāh and repented (2:37); and it was later that he was sent down from the courtyard to the Garden (2:38). (tr)

[4] Mūsā was called to the Mount Sini'i and given Torah while the Israel­ites were still in the wilderness. And it was at that time that the events in question took place. They had not entered Palestine at that time and Baytu '1-Maqdis was not built yet. Therefore, the word "Baytu '1-Maqdis" used in this tradition must mean the tent which Mūsā erected for divine worship.

[5] In those days, all the land now divided into Syria, Jordan, Lebnon and Palestine, was called Syria or Greater Syria.

 

[6] It is now almost certain that Yudhasaf is a corruption of Budhastav, the title of Gautama Buddha, the founder of Bhuddhism.

 

[7] Vide al-Muyamu '1-mufahris, by Muhammad Fu'ad `Abdu'1-Baqi.

 

[8] In the printed copy of at-Tafsīr of al-`Ayyāshī (vol. 1, p.49) and what has been quoted from him in al-Bihār (vol. 15, p.226), al-Burhān (vol.1, p.128) and Majma'u '1-bayAn (vol. 1, p.158) the name has ap­peared as Hadād. But we could not find such a name in geographical dic­tionaries. Perhaps it is a corruption of Hadad which is a mountain over­looking Taymā'; (see Makamu '1-bayānn, vol. 2, p. 229; al -Qāmūs, vol. 1, p. 287 and Tāju '1-'arūs, vol. 2, p. 333) or it may be another reading of Hadad. (ed.)

[9] (at -Tubba`) was the title of the kings of Yemen.