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‘They are four in number, namely, Abdallah ben Mesoud,[1] Ubaï ben Kaab, Maadh ben Jebel[1] and Salim ben Abdallah.’[2] (Q.) ‘What sayst thou of the words of the Most High, “That which is sacrificed to stones”?’[3] (A.) ‘The stones are idols, which are set up and worshipped, instead of God the Most High, and [from this] we seek refuge with Him.’ (Q.) ‘What sayst thou of the words of the Most High, “[Quoth Jesus] Thou knowest what is in my soul, and I know not what is in Thy soul”?’[4] (A.) ‘They mean “Thou [God] knowest the truth of me and what is in me and I [Jesus] know not what is in Thee;” and the proof of this are his words,[5] “Thou [God] art He that knoweth the hidden things;” and it is said, also, “Thou [God] knowest my essence, but I [man] know not Thine essence.”’ (Q.) ‘What sayst thou of the words of the Most High, “O ye that believe, deny not yourselves the good things that God hath made lawful to you!”?’[6] (A.) ‘My master (on whom God have mercy) told me that Ez Zuhak[7] said, “There was a people of the true-believers who said, ‘We will dock our yards and don sackcloth;’ whereupon this verse was revealed.” But El Cutadeh[8] says that it was revealed on account of sundry Companions of the Apostle of God, Ali ibn Abi Talib and Othman ben Musaab and others, who said, “We will dock ourselves and don hair [cloth] and make us monks.”’ (Q.) ‘What sayst thou of the words of the Most High, “And God took Abraham to friend”?’[9] (A.) ‘The friend [of God] is the needy, the poor, and (according to another saying) he is the lover, he who is absorbed in the love of God the
