1604

Cf. p. 304 (n. 1186), above.

1605

Cf. A. J. Wensinck in EI, s.v. ^"Okaz."

1606

Lit., "to criticize its texture."

1607

The "suspended" poems, according to the traditional interpretation of the word. A recent summary of modern scholarly opinions as to its meaning may be found in Bulletin des etudes arabes (Algiers, 1946), Vl, 152-58. Bulaq corrects "nine" to "seven," the number to which the Mu`allaqat are usually restricted. For the poets, cf. also p. 397, above.

1608

Cf. Bombaci, p. 471.

1609

For the phrase used here, cf. Qur'an 4.6 (5).

1610

Cf. p. 383, above.

1611

Cf. 1:34, above.

1612

Cf. 1:32, above.

1613

Cf. pp. 382 f, and 393, above.

1614

R. Brunschvig, La Berbirie orientale, II, 404, shows that this statement is not correct. In fact, versemaking was always popular in Islam with everyone who laid claim to some degree of education.

1615

Cf. Qur'an 24.44 (44).