The Faith of Islam

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Transcriber's note: A few typographical errors have been corrected: they
are listed at the end of the text. Original page numbers are shown as {99}.

THE

FAITH OF ISLAM:

BY

THE REV. EDWARD SELL,
FELLOW OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MADRAS.

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TRUeBNER & CO., LONDON. ADDISON & CO., MADRAS. 1880.

_All rights reserved._

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MADRAS:
PRINTED BY ADDISON AND CO., MOUNT ROAD.

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PREFACE.

The following pages embody a study of Islam during a residence of fifteen
years in India, the greater part of which time I have been in daily
intercourse with Musalmans. 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 Quran 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 Sulat for Salat, Munkar for Munkir, &c., but in no case is the meaning
affected.

In some words, such as Khalif, Khalifate, and Omar, I have retained the
anglicised form instead of using the more correct terms, Khalifa, Khilafat,
'Umr. The letter Q has been used to distinguish the Kaf-i-Karashat from the
Kaf-i-Tazi.

E. S.

      MADRAS,
  _December 1st, 1880._

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CONTENTS.

Introduction. ... PAGE ix

CHAPTER I.

THE FOUNDATIONS OF ISLAM.

The Quran--Its revelation--Miraculous nature--Arrangement of Quran--Osman's
recension. The Sunnat--The authority of Sunnat--Tradition--Bid'at or
innovation--Shia'h Traditions. Ijma'--Ijtihad--Four orthodox Imams, Hanifa,
Malik, Shafa'i and Hanbal. Qias--Established by the early
Mujtahidin--Sterility of Islam ... PAGE 1

Note to Chapter I. Ijtihad ... PAGE 32

CHAPTER II.

EXEGESIS OF THE QURAN AND THE TRADITIONS.

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

CHAPTER III.

THE SECTS OF ISLAM.

The Shia'hs--The Imamat--Kharigites--Nur-i-Muhammadi--Imam--Isma,ilians and
Imamites--Ghair-i-Mahdis--Da,iri--Mahmudiah--Khalifate--Sufiism--Persian
Poetry--Darwishes--Omar Khayyam--Wahhabis--their rise--spread in
India--doctrines and influence ... PAGE 73

Note to Chapter III. Wahhabiism ... PAGE 114

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CHAPTER IV.

THE CREED OF ISLAM

Iman--God--Attributes of God--Discussions on the nature of God--The rise of
the Mutazilites--The Sifatians--Mushabihites--Names of God--Creation of the
Quran. Angels--Recording Angels--Harut and Marut--Munkir and Nakir--Jinn.
The Books--Abrogation--Tahrif. The Prophets--Rank and inspiration of
prophets--Nabi and Rasul--Sinlessness of prophets--The
Anbiya-ulul-'Azm--Miracles of prophets--The Mi'raj. The Resurrection and
the last day--The Trumpets--Descent of the
books--Balances--Bridge--Al-A'raf--Al-Barzakh--Intercession of
Muhammad--Heaven--Hell. The Predestination of good and
evil--Jabrians--Qadrians--Ash'arians--Free-will--Apostacy ... PAGE 116

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

CHAPTER V.

THE PRACTICAL DUTIES OF ISLAM.

Farz, wajib, sunnat, mustahab and mubah actions--Haram or unlawful acts.
Tashahhud. Salat--Wazu--Ghusl--Tayammum--Namaz--Farz, sunnat, witr and nafl
rak'ats--Appointed hours of prayer--Friday Namaz and sermon--Namaz on a
journey and in time of war--Namaz in Ramazan, during an eclipse and in time
of drought--Funeral service--Its ritual and prayers. Fasting--Its time and
nature. Zakat--Nisab--Proportion of property to be given as
alms--Recipients of the Zakat. The Hajj--Farz, sunnat, wajib and mustahab
duties connected with the Hajj--Time for the Hajj--Arrival of the Haji at
Mecca--Tawaf--Ceremonies of the Hajj--Conclusion of the Hajj--Formal nature
of Islam ... PAGE 187

Note to Chapter V. Fatva on the Namaz ... PAGE 233

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CHAPTER VI.

THE FEASTS AND FASTS OF ISLAM.

Muharram--'Ashur Khana--Marsiya--Waqi'a Khan--'Alams--Ceremonies of the
'Ashura--Fatihas for 'Ali, for Hasan and Husain--Akhir-i-char Shamba--Bara
Wafat--Jashn-i-milad-i-Sharif--Asar-i-Sharif--Shab Barat--Ramazan and
'Id-ul-Fitr--'Itikaf--Sadqa--Sermon on the 'Id-ul-Fitr--Baqr-'Id or
'Id-uz-Zuha--Sermon on the 'Id-uz-Zuha--The Qurban or Sacrifice--Festival
of Madar--Festival of Salar Mas'ud Ghazi--Festival of Khaja Khizr--Feast of
Pir Dastgir Sahib--Festival of Qadir Wali Sahib ...