Richland beacon., 1873-05-31
MOhammedaniSm.

The essential doctrine of Mohamme-
danism is the absolute unity and suprema-
cy of Col, as opposed to the old Arab
Polytheism on the one hand, and the
Christian Trinity on the other. 1t. how
ever, admits of angels and genii. Gabriel
and Michael are the angels of power:
Ariel, angel of death Israfeel, angel OF
the resurrection. Eblis, or Satan, also
plays an important part in this mythology.
The Koran also teaches the doctrine OF
Eternal DEGREES. or absolute Prcdestina-
ton: of prophets before Mohammci. of
whom he is the succesSOr-aS Adam, Noth,
Moses, and Jesus; OF sacred books. OF
which all that remains are the Fentatcuch,
Psalms. Gospels. and Koran: OF an inter-
mediate state after death; of the rcSurrec-
ton and Judgment. All non-belicverS in
! Islam 90 into eternal fire. There are sep
arate hells for Christians. Jews, SabianS.
Magians, idolaters, and the hypocriteS OF
all religions. The MOslem is Judged by
/ his actions. a balance is held by Gabriel,
one scale hanging over heaven and an
other over hell, and his good decks are
placed in one and his bad ones in the
other. According as his scale inclineS.
he goes to heaven or hell. If he goes
to heaven, he finds there sevelIty-two
ing him. with gardens. groves, marble
palaces, and music. If women are true
believers. and righteous. they will also 90
to heaven. but nothing is said about hu>-
bands being provided for them. Stress i,
laid on prayer, ablution, fasting. aims
giving, and the pilgrimage 10 Mecca
Wine ard gambling are forbidden. There
is no recognition in the Koran OF human
brotherhood. II is a prime duty TO hat,
iniidels and make war on them. MOham
med made il duty for Moslems TO bctray
and kill their own brothers when they
were infidelS, and he was obeyed in NOR
, cases than one. The MOslem sectS are a
, numerous as those of Christians. Tn
, Dabistan mentions Seventy-thrce. Tn
two main divisions are into Sunnites ant
, Shyites. The Turks are the most zcalou
, Of the MOslemS. On Friday, which is III
, Sabbath of Islam, all business Is suspend
{ ed. Prayers are read and sermon
= preached in the mosques. No one i a
. lowed To absent. The Ramadan Fas
!, it twice is considered worthy OF deatl
: The fasts lasts from sunrise to sunset
! But the rich feast in the night. and slice
!, during the day. The Turks have no d,
! sire to make prosclyteS. but have an il
!, tolerant hatred for all outside of Islam
! The kalif is the chief pontin. The Oul,
. ma, or parliament, is composed of I'll
inans. or religious teachers, the multi
!, or doctors of law. and kaGis. or minister
, of Justice. The PRESS in Turkey are sui
:, ordinate to the civil magistrate, who
: their diocesan, and can remove them ;
: pleasure. The priests in daily life are lii
: the laity. engage in the same business. an
.. are no more auSterc than they.
!, Five times a day the mueZZin proclaim
e the hour of PRAYER from the minaret
- these words: There is no god but Go,
= Mohammed is His prophet. Come
= prayer" In the morning call he add
y Prayer is better than Sleep hmm
q diately every Mussulman leaves his Gee
= patton. amt prostrateS himself on the tlO'
n or ground. wherever he may be. 1t is Yer
= disreputable to omit this.--Erchange.