Page:Maulana Muhammad Ali Quran.djvu/1352



General remarks.

chapter and the one that follows teach man how to seek refuge in Allah and how to betake himself to His protection. This subject being referred to in Meccan revelations, as in ch. 16 and 41, the two chapters must have been revealed in Mecca, and most probably they belong to the early Meccan period. The many stories regarding their origin, as stated by some commentators, are not to be found in any authentic report, and consequently such stories must be rejected. Thus, the Qur-án opens with the seeking of refuge in Him in the Mu'awwaẕatain (from ma'áẕah, meaning refuge), as these two chapters are together known.

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