Page:Thomas Patrick Hughes - Notes on Muhammadanism - 2ed. (1877).djvu/57

expressions used in the exegetical commentaries of the Qurán is of great assistance to the Bazaar-preacher, for it often happens that Maulavís interrupt the preacher by putting some difficult question, which the most able missionary will find it difficult to answer to the satisfaction of a mixed assemblage. For instance, an interesting discourse or discussion is often interrupted by a Maulaví putting the following question: "What did Jesus mean when He said, "All that ever came before me were thieves or robbers?'" The sole object of the Maulaví being to interrupt a profitable conversation or sermon, the best reply to such an one would be, "Maulaví Sahib, you know sentences are Záhir or Khafí, hidden or evident. That is Khafí. Hidden sentences you know are of four kinds, Khafí, Mushkil, Mujmal, or Mutashábih. I consider the text you have quoted to be Mujmal, and you must admit that it would take up too much time to explain a Mujmal sentence in the midst of my present discourse." Most probably the Maulaví will be satisfied, for the preacher has applied a little flattering unction, in supposing that the Maulaví is learned in the principles of exegesis.