Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1888-03-16
NOT tMMEDAN DOCTOR.
LETTER FROM THE CHIEF AUTHOR
ITY or TIE MOSlEM CHURCH.

What Ahmed Esasd Writes to a German
Convertible Cardinal Principles of
Islamism-SummaryD Definition of Faith.
Religious Ceremonies.
DEAR S1R-The letter by which you ask to
bareceived into the heart Of the Mussulrnan
religion has been received, and has caused US
lively satisfaction. The reflections which
you make on this occasion appear to US worthy
of the highest praise. At the same time We
ought to call your attention to the fact that
your conversion to Islamism is not subordi-
mated to our consent, for Islamism does not
admit Of any intermediary, like the clergy,
between God and his servants. Our duty
consists only in teaching the people religious
truths. Consequently, conversion to Islam
ism demands 10 religious forinaGty end de-
ponds upon the authorization of no one It
is sufficient to believe and to proclaim ones
belief
In fact, Islarism has for its base faith in
the unity of God and in the mission Of his
dearest servant Mohamme.i may God cover
him with blessings and grant him salvation :;
/. e., to accept conscientiously this faith and
to avow it in words, as expressed by the
phrase: "There is only one God and Moham-
med is his prophet" He who makes this
profession of faith becomes a Mussulman
without having need OF the consent or appro-
baton Of any one. If, as you promise in
your letter, you make this profession of faith,
that is TO say, you declare that there is only
one God and Mohammed is his prophet, you
become MuSsuiman without having need of
our acceptance; and We for our part, felici
tate you with pride ard JOY for having been
touched by divine grace, and we shall testify
in this world and the other that you are our
brother. Believers are 81 brothers.
Such is summary definition OF faith Let
us enter now upon some developments of it.
Man, who is superior TO the other animals by
his intelligence, was created out Of nothing
TO adore his creator. This alteration may be
summed UP in two words-to honor the com
mands Of God and to synpathizs with his
creatures. This double alteration exists in
all religions. AS to its practice-religions
differ as 70 their rules, forms, times places,
the greater or less number Of their rites, etc.
But the human intelligence Goes not suffice
to assure US OF the manner of praying which
Is most worthy Of the divine glory; SO God in
his mercy, in according to certain human
beings the gift OF prophecy, in sending TO
them, by angels, Inspiration, writings and
books, and in so revealing the true religion,
has overwhelmed his servants with blessings.
The book Of God which descended last from
heaven is the sacred Koran, the unchangea-
bic teachings of which, carefully preserved
from the first day in written volumes and in
the memory Of thousands of reciters, will last
even to the day of the last Judgment
The first Of the prophets was Adam, and
the last Mohammed may God give him sal
vationl. Between these two many others
have lived; their number is known only to
God. The greatest of all is Mohammed.
After him come Jesus, Moses, Abraham, Noah,
and Adam (may God grant them salvation).
All the prophets have threatened their fol-
lowers with the day Of the last Judgment
So it is necessary to believe that the dead
will rise again, that they will appear before
the tribunal Of God to render their accounts,
and that the elect will be sent to paradise,
and those condemned to hell All the actions
Of every one in this world will be examined
on that day one by one; and although all the
acts Of soldiers in holy war, even their sleep,
are considered as a prayer, they also will be
obliged at the judgment day to render an
account. The only exception is for those who
die as martyrs, who will go to paradise with
out examination.
Also it is necessary, as an article Of faith,
to attribute all good and all evil to the prov
idence Of God. To say that the creator of
good is the angel, and the creator of evil the
demon, is one of those errors which it is
necessary to avoid.
Consequently the believer ought to have
fol inc NI i,, hic ~,
his prophets, in the last Judgment, and in his
will as the source Of all good and evil. He
who accepts these truths is true believer,
But to be perfect believer it is necessary to
perform certain duties, to pray to God, and
to avoid falling into such sins as murder,
robbery, adultery, etc.
Besides the profession Of faith Of which we
have spoken above, good Mussulman ought
to pray five times day, distribute to the
poor fo.'tieth part Of his goods every year,
fast during the month of Rcnazen, and make
once in his life pilgrimage to Mecca.
II a believer does not conform to the laws
of God, and does not avoid what he forbids, he
does not become an inadel, but be is consid-
cred as a sinner; that is, as a wandering be-
lever, and he will merit a temporary punish
ment in the other world He is in the hands
Of God God pardons him or condemns him
TO pass certain time in hell, proportioned to
his guilt.
Faith annuls all sin. He who is converted
to Islanlism becomes as innocent as if Just
born, and he IS responsible only for the sins
committed after his conversion.
A sinner who repents and in person asks
Gods forgiveness, obtains pardon. Only the
rights of his neishbor are Al exception to
this rule, for tie servant Of God who cannot
obtain justice i'll this world, reclaims his right
at the day OF Judgment; and God, who is
just, will then compel the oppresscr to make
70 the oppressed Even the mar
tyrs are no exception TO this rule To avoid
this responsibility the only means is to get q
quittance from your neighbor whom you
have wronged. In al cases, however, there
is no need OF the intercession of q spiritual
director.
a Mussulman prays all alone in any place
which suits his convenience, and TO merit the
remission of his sins he goes directly to God
He does not confess them to others, nor ought
be to do so. At his death the Mussul.nan in
1abitants of the town are obliged to put him
n coffin and bury him. Any Mussulnan
,an do this; the presence of q religious chief
S not necessary.
In word, M all religious acts there is no
between God and His servants.
II is necessary TO learn the will of God, re-
Vealed By the Prophet, ard TO act in conform
~ with il.
Only the accomplishment OF certain relig-
GU. ceremonies, such as the prayers on Fri /
lay and at BeIram is subord mated 10 the Will
If the Caliph. Of the Prophet, and the Sultan
If Mussulnsns, since the arrangement of .
ceremonies for ISainisn is one Of his sacred /
attributes. Obedience 10 his orders is one Of
he most important religious duties AS to
)ur mission. i: consists il administering. in .