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eight of which are counted, and these are beneath
the ninth, which is the roof of the Paradise, as it is
stated in the traditions. But, when the souls not
yet come forth from the pit of the natural darkness
of bodily matter, are nevertheless in a state of in-
creasing improvement, then, in an ascending way,
they migrate from body to body, each purer than
the former one, until the time of climbing up to
the steps of the wished-for perfection of mankind.,
yet according to possibility, after which, purified of
the defilement of the body, they join the world of
sanctity: and this final migration (death) is called
nasikh, " obliteration."

*' The verses which we have abrogated, we have replaced by others."

Some call this state Adrdf,1 " boundary;" which

1 Adra'f, the plural of drf, from the verb arafa, " to distinguish bc-
" tween two things, or part of them:" some interpret it as above, " a
" wall; any thing that is high raised, as a wall of separation may be
" supposed to be." In the Koran, chap. VII. entitled Al Adraf, v. 44, it
is called " a veil," to wit: " Between the blessed and the damned there
" shall be a veil, and men shall stand on AlAraf, who shall know every
'* one of them by their mark, and shall call unto the inhabitants of Para-
" disc, saying: * Peace be upon you:' yet they shall not enter therein,
" although they earnestly desire it." It appears a sort of purgatory for
those who deserve neither hell nor heaven. In this sense it is taken
above. Others imagine it to be a state of limbo for the patriarchs and
prophets, or for the martyrs and saints, among whom there will also be
angels in the form of men. But, on the day of universal judgment, all
those who are confined in this place shall prostrate themselves in adora-
tion before the Lord, and hear these words: " Enter ye into paradise;
" there shall come no fear upon you, neither shall ye be grieved." —
Ibid., v. 47.