Chapter I: Preface

The following pages embody a study of Islám during a residence of fifteen years in India, the greater part of which time I have been in daily intercourse with Musalmáns. I have given in the footnotes the authorities from which I quote. I was not able to procure in Madras a copy of the Arabic edition of Ibn Khaldoun's great work, but the French translation by Baron M. de Slane, to which I so frequently refer, is thoroughly reliable. The quotations from the Qurán are made from Rodwell's translation. The original has been consulted when necessary.

A few slight and occasional errors in transliteration have occurred, such as Sulát for Salát, Munkar for Munkir, &c., but in no case is the meaning affected.

In some words, such as Khalíf, Khalífate, and Omar, I have retained the anglicised form instead of using the more correct terms, Khalífa, Khiláfat, 'Umr. The letter Q has been used to distinguish the Káf-i-Karashat from the Káf-i-Tází.

E. S.

MADRAS,
_December 1st, 1880._

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CONTENTS.

Introduction. ... PAGE ix

CHAPTER I.

THE FOUNDATIONS OF ISLÁM.

The Qurán--Its revelation--Miraculous nature--Arrangement of Qurán--Osmán's recension. The Sunnat--The authority of Sunnat--Tradition--Bid'at or innovation--Shía'h Traditions. Ijmá'--Ijtihád--Four orthodox Imáms, Hanífa, Málik, Sháfa'í and Hanbal. Qíás--Established by the early Mujtahidín--Sterility of Islám ... PAGE 1

Note to Chapter I. Ijtihád ... PAGE 32

CHAPTER II.

EXEGESIS OF THE QURÁN AND THE TRADITIONS.

Inspiration--The seven readings--Work of a Commentator--Words and Sentences of the Qurán--Use of the words--Deductions of arguments from the Qurán--Divisions of the Qurán--Abrogation--Creation of the Qurán--Hadís or Tradition--Collections of Traditions--Classification of Traditions ... PAGE 37

CHAPTER III.

THE SECTS OF ISLÁM.

The Shía'hs--The Imámat--Khárigites--Núr-i-Muhammadí--Imám--Ismá,ílians and Imámites--Ghair-i-Mahdís--Dá,irí--Mahmúdíah--Khalífate--Súfíism--Persian Poetry--Darwíshes--Omar Khayyám--Wahhábís--their rise--spread in India--doctrines and influence ... PAGE 73

Note to Chapter III. Wahhábíism ... PAGE 114

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CHAPTER IV.

THE CREED OF ISLÁM

Imán--God--Attributes of God--Discussions on the nature of God--The rise of the Mutazilites--The Sifátíans--Mushábihites--Names of God--Creation of the Qurán. Angels--Recording Angels--Hárút and Márút--Munkir and Nakír--Jinn. The Books--Abrogation--Tahríf. The Prophets--Rank and inspiration of prophets--Nabí and Rasúl--Sinlessness of prophets--The Anbiya-ulul-'Azm--Miracles of prophets--The Mi'ráj. The Resurrection and the last day--The Trumpets--Descent of the books--Balances--Bridge--Al-A'ráf--Al-Barzakh--Intercession of Muhammad--Heaven--Hell. The Predestination of good and evil--Jabríans--Qadríans--Ash'aríans--Free-will--Apostacy ... PAGE 116

Note to Chapter IV. Muslim Philosophy ... PAGE 181

CHAPTER V.

THE PRACTICAL DUTIES OF ISLÁM.

Farz, wájib, sunnat, mustahab and mubáh actions--Harám or unlawful acts. Tashahhud. Salát--Wazú--Ghusl--Tayammum--Namáz--Farz, sunnat, witr and nafl rak'ats--Appointed hours of prayer--Friday Namáz and sermon--Namáz on a journey and in time of war--Namáz in Ramazán, during an eclipse and in time of drought--Funeral service--Its ritual and prayers. Fasting--Its time and nature. Zakát--Nisáb--Proportion of property to be given as alms--Recipients of the Zakát. The Hajj--Farz, sunnat, wájib and mustahab duties connected with the Hajj--Time for the Hajj--Arrival of the Hájí at Mecca--Tawáf--Ceremonies of the Hajj--Conclusion of the Hajj--Formal nature of Islám ... PAGE 187

Note to Chapter V. Fatvá on the Namáz ... PAGE 233

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CHAPTER VI.

THE FEASTS AND FASTS OF ISLÁM.

Muharram--'Áshúr Khána--Marsiya--Wáqi'a Khán--'Alams--Ceremonies of the 'Áshúrá--Fátihas for 'Alí, for Hasan and Husain--Akhir-i-chár Shamba--Bárá Wafát--Jashn-i-milád-i-Sharif--Ásár-i-Sharíf--Shab Barát--Ramazán and 'Íd-ul-Fitr--'Itikáf--Sadqa--Sermon on the 'Íd-ul-Fitr--Baqr-'Íd or 'Íd-uz-Zuhá--Sermon on the 'Íd-uz-Zuhá--The Qurbán or Sacrifice--Festival of Madár--Festival of Sálár Mas'úd Ghází--Festival of Khája Khizr--Feast of Pír Dastgír Sáhib--Festival of Qádir Walí Sáhib ... PAGE 237

Index of Technical Terms ... PAGE 265

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