Notes
1. But what was their conception about the idols? Did they consider them fit for worship and to be only intermediaries or they thought that they too possessed power like Allah? This point is beyond our discussion for the present, although the first view is firm and proved.
2. Qamus-i Kitab-i Muqaddas, root 'Babal'.
3. Tafsir-i Burhan, vol. 1, page 535
4. Awa'il al-Maqalat, page 12
5. Majma'ul Bayan, vol. III, page 319 and al-Mizan, vol. Vll, page 170
6. As regards the particulars of this chapter and matters relating to the birth of Prophet Ibrahim and his breaking the idols, refer to Tarikh-i Kamil, pp. 53 - 62 and Biharul Anwar, vol. Xll, pp. 41 - 55. For the sake of brevity we have refrained from mentioning the source of all its contents.
7. Biharul Anwar, vol. V, page 130, Company Print.
8. al-'Uyun, page 136; Amali Saduq, page 274 and Bihirul Anwar, page 35.
9. Tafsir-i Burhan, vol. Ill, page 64
10. Sa'dus Su'ud, pp. 41 - 42 and Biharul Anwar, vol. XII, page 118
11. Tafsir-i Qummi, page 52 and Biharul Anwar, vol. Xll, page 100
12. Biharul Anwar, vol. II, page 112 as quoted from Qassas-i Anbiya.
13. Tarikh-i Kamil, vol. II, pp. 1 and 21
14. Their lives have been discussed by Ibn Athir in Tarikh-i Kamil, vol. II, pp. 15 - 21.
15. lt is an admitted fact that the offices related to the Ka'bah did not exist when the sanctuary was constructed, and they came into existence gradually, according to the exigencies of time. Till the advent of Islam these offices were divided into four parts: (1) Custodianship of the Ka'bah and holding charge of its keys (2) Providing water to the pilgrims during Haj season (3) Providing food to the pilgrims. (4) Chiefship of the people of Makkah, standard bearership and command of the army.
16. Tarikh-i Tabari, vol. II, page 13
17. Seerah-i Halabi, vol. I, page 5
18. Seerah-i Halabi, vol. I, page 6 - 7
19. Tarikh-i Kamil, by Ibn Athir vol. II, page 10
20. Tarikh-i Kamil, vol. II, page 6; Tarikh-i Tabari, vol. II, pp. 8 - 9 and Seerah-i Halabi, vol. I, page 8
21. Seerah-i Halabi, vol. 5, page 4
22. One of the causes for a society being subjected to adversity is the prevalence of sin and debauchery amongst its people and it is not improbable that shameful deeds should bring famines and other calamities in their wake. This proposition, besides being in conformity with philosophical principles, has also been mentioned expressly in the Holy Qur'an and in the Islamic traditions.
23. The question arises as to why others did not come up with this suggestion? Possibly they had lost all hope of finding water.
24. Tarikh-i Yaqubi, vol. I, page 206 and Seerah-i Ibn Hisham, vol. I, page 45.
25. The above-mentioned incident has been narrated by many historians and writers of Seerah. This story is worthy of appreciation for this reason only that it manifests the nobility of character and steadfastness of Abdul Muttalib and clearly indicates how ardent he was in the matter of his faith and in keeping his promises.
26. Seerah-i Ibn Hisham, vol. I, page 153 and Bihar, vol. XVl, pp. 74 - 79.
27. Tarikh-i Kamil, vol. I, page 253 onwards.
28. Seerah-i Ibn Hisham, vol. I, pp. 43 - 62; Faza-il Shazan, pp. 52 - 64, Biharul Anwar, vol. XV, pp. 146 - 155, and Tarikh-i Kamil, vol. I, pp. 260 - 263.
29. Tarikh-i Kamil, vol. I, page 263.
30. Tarikh-i Kimil by Ibn Athir, vol. I, page 266.
31. Tarikh-i Tabari, vol. II, page 4 and Seerah-i Halabi, vol. I, page 54.
32. Tarikh-i Ibn Athir, vol. II, page 4 - a part of the footnote.