Page:The Mohammedan system of theology (IA mohammedansyste00neal).pdf/115

 the Commentators say, that the Koran was taken from the preserved table near God's throne, entire, and in one volume, to the lowest Heaven, from whence Gabriel revealed it to Mohammed in detached portions, as occasions required, giving him, however, the consolation to shew him the whole, (which, they say, was bound in silk, and adorned with gold and precious stones of Paradise,) once a year; but in the last year of his life he had the favour to see it twice.

The length of time employed in its publication, enabled Mohammed to adapt his doctrines better to contingencies, though, after all, various alterations and discrepancies still adhere to it, which the Musulmans justify by the law of abrogation; asserting that God commanded several things, which were afterwards for good reasons revoked or annulled.

Each portion is supposed to have been dic-