Page:Thomas Patrick Hughes - Notes on Muhammadanism - 2ed. (1877).djvu/54

 Rh it is explained that Iblis did not prostrate himself.

(4) Muhkam.—Perspicuous sentences, the meaning of which is incontrovertible: e. g. Súra-i-Máida (v.), 98, "He (God) knoweth all things."

Hidden sentences are either Khafí, Mushkil, Mujmal, or Mutashábih.

(1) Khafí.—Sentences in which other persons or things are hidden beneath the plain meaning of a word or expression contained therein: e. g. Súra-i-Máida (v.), 42, "As for a thief whether male or female cut ye off their hands in recompense for their doings." In this sentence the word Sáriq, "thief," is understood to have hidden beneath its literal meaning, both pickpockets and highway robbers.

(2) Mushkil.—Sentences which are ambiguous: e.g. Súra-i-Dahr (lxxvi.), 15, "Vessels of silver and decanters which are of glass, decanters of glass with silver whose measure they shall mete."

(3) Mujmal.—Sentences which are compendious, and have many interpretations: e. g.