Muhammad, a Talismanic Force

Abstract

The writing is inscribed in two columns, each divided into six registers. Each register has two lines of three, four, or five words. The two columns are divided by a series of diamonds in which is a prayer on behalf of the prophet, his family, and friends. There are fifty words in the first column and forty-eight in the second, making a total of ninety-eight words--one less than those making up the names of Allah. However, it seems certain that in some cases two or more words are read together to form a single idea, so that there are only eighty-seven epithets and the names of two suras on the plaque.