is interpretation God made known to the Prophet, who communicated it
to the Companions, hence all orthodox opinion must be in strict accordance
with theirs. They were the sole depositaries of the inspired commentary
given by Muhammad. There is now no room for, as there is no need of, any
other.

[52] Speaking on this very subject Ibn Khaldoun says:--"Rien de tout cela
n'a pu se connaitre que par des indications provenant des Compagnons et de
leurs disciples." Vol. ii. p. 460.

[53] Ibn Khaldoun says that Zamakchori, (a theologian of good repute for
learning in the sixth century A.H.), remarked on these letters as
follows:--They indicate that the style of the Quran is carried to such a
degree of excellence, that it defies every attempt to imitate it; for this
book which has been sent down to us from heaven is composed of letters. All
men know them all alike, but this power disappears when, in order to
express their ideas, they want to use these same letters combined."

On this curious passage Baron de Slane remarks that the author is not very
clear, and that the Turkish translator of Ibn Khaldoun gives the sense of
the passage as:--"God has placed these letters in several Suras as a sort
of defiance; as if He had said:--'Voila les elements dont se compose le
Coran; prenez-les et faites-eu un livre qui l'egale par le style.'" Ibn
Khaldoun, vol. iii. p. 68.

[54] The last verse revealed at Mecca was, "This day have I perfected your
religion for you, and have filled up the measure of my favours upon you;
and it is my pleasure that Islam be your religion; but whoso without wilful
leanings to wrong shall be forced by hunger to transgress, to him, verily,
will God be indulgent, merciful." (Sura v. 5). Ibn Khaldoun vol. i. p. 206.

[55] The arrangement made by Professor Th. Noeldeke in his "Geschichte des
Qurans" is considered by Stanley Lane Poole to be the best. Rodwell's
English version of the Quran is, with some exceptions, an example of this
order.

[56] On ordinary occasions any verses may be chosen. The 112th Sura is the
one generally repeated.

[57] Tafsir-i-Husaini, p. 216.

[58] Sharh-i-'Aqaid-i-Jami, p. 131.

[59] Commentary on the Holy Bible by Syed Ahmad, C.S.I., vol. i. p. 268.
See note on this in chapter 4. Section 'Prophets.'

[60] Niaz Namah, by Maulavi Safdar 'Ali, p. 250.

[61] Biographical Dictionary, vol. ii, p. 679.

[62] "He ranked as a high authority in the Traditions and was well versed
in