These men are constantly referred to as his 'witnesses.' But the great body
of the Jews did not accept him nor admit his claim. The prophet for whom they
looked was to come of the house of David. Thus they formed a standing protest
against the position he assumed, which was that their own Scriptures testified
of him. Still, as Islam grew, it was clear that all else must give way. Many
pagan Arabs and some of the Jews left the city. Ibn Ishaq says, ' Under these
circumstances the Rabbis of the Jews became Muhammad's enemies. They were filled
with envy because God had chosen his ambassador from amongst the Arabs.' Some
Jews, however, from fear accepted Muhammad and the new religion. They are
described by the Arab historian as those 'who sought shelter in Islam and
accepted it only in appearance, whilst they were hypocrites at heart.' Thus
there were Munafiqun both amongst the pagan and the Jewish converts. The enmity
of the Jews was as dangerous to him as that of the idolaters, since the former
did him hurt not only in war and politics but by sharp criticism and pointed
sayings concerning Islam. Seeing that it was hopeless to win over the Jews as a
body, Muhammad now changed his position with reference to them, and accused them
of unbelief and of dishonesty in tampering with their Scriptures.
The Sura Al-An'am (vi) is almost the latest Meccan one, but verse ninety-one
was evidently added at Madina:—
Say, who sent down the Book which Moses brought, a light and a guidance to
man, which ye set down on
