Page:Muhammad Diyab al-Itlidi - Historical Tales and Anecdotes of the Time of the Early Khalîfahs - Alice Frere - 1873.djvu/282

Rh except with (knowledge of) the language of his people. Now we are Arabs, and the Kurân was sent down in our tongue. Hast thou never remarked that God says, 'An eye for an eye,' and does not say, 'An observer for an observer;' and He says, 'A tooth for a tooth,' and does not say, 'A labourer for a labourer;' and He says, 'An ear for an ear,' and does not say, 'A listener for a listener;' and He says, 'They shall put their fingers in their ears,' and does not say, 'Their holders ;' and He says, 'Thou shalt not seize by the beard, neither by the head;' and does not say, 'By the thick hair;' and the Most High says, 'The wolf shall eat him,' and does not say, 'The avoider shall eat him.' And now," continued Khâlid, "I will ask of thee four things: if thou admittest them, thou art vanquished; if thou deniest them, thou art an unbeliever."

"What are they?" asked Ibrahîm.

"The Messenger," said Khâlid, "was he of us or of you?"

"Of you," answered Ibrahîm.

"And the Kurân," asked Khâlid, "did it descend upon us or upon you?"

"Upon you," said Ibrahîm.