Pullman herald. [volume] (Pullman, W.T. [Wash.]) 1888-1989, 1891-08-07
A M0HAMMEDAN DOCTOR.
LETTER FROM TIE CHIEF AUTHOR
ITY OF THE MOSLEM CHURCH.

What Ahmed Esaad Writes to German
Convertible Cardinal Principles OF
Islamism-summary Definition of Faith.
Religious Ceremonies.
DEAR SIR-The letter by which you ask to
be received INTO the heart of the MussulmaD
religion has been received, and has caused Us
a 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 suborIi-
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 no religious fornality and de
ponds upon the authorization of no one. 1t
is sufficient to believe and to proclaim ones
belief
In fact, Islamism has for its base faith in
the unity of God and in the mission Of his
dearest servant Mohammed may God cover
him with blessings and grant him salvation:
l. e., to accept cOnscientiously this faith and
to avow it in words, as expressed by the
phrase: "There is only one God and Moham
HitO - MS prophet. lie VINO makes tins
profession of faith becomes a Mussulman
without having need OF the consent or apy,ro-
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 1ou
become a Mussulman without having need Of
our acceptance; and We for our part, feici-
tate you with pride and 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 all brothers.
Such is a 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 sympathize with his
creatures. This double alteration exists in
all religions. As to its practice-religious
differ as TO their rules, FORMS times, places,
the greater or less number of their rites. etc
But the human intelligence does 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 unchanged
bic teachings of which, carefully preserved
from the first day in written volumes aud in
the memory Of thousands of recte1s, viii last
even to the day Of the last Judgment
The first OF the prophets was Adam, and
the last Mohammed tmay God give him sal
vation). Between these two many others
have lived; their number is known only to
God The greatest of all is Mohammed
After him come Jesus, Noses 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
VIII 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. Allthe 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 1t 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 if is
necessary to avoid.
Consequently the believer ought to have
faith in God, i'll his angels, i'll his books. in
his prophets, III 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, a good Mussulnlau ought
to pray five times a day, distribute to the
poor fortie;h part Of his goods every year,
fast during the month of RaInazan, and make
once in his life pilgrimage to Mecca
If a believer does not conform to the laws
of God, and does not avoid what he forbids. he
does not become an infdel, but he is consid-
cred as a sinner; that is, as a wandering be-
lever, and he will merit temporary punish
ment i'll the other world. He is in the hands
OF God. God pardons him or condemns him
to pass n certain time in hell, proportional to
his guilt
Faith annuls all sin. He who is converted
to Islamism 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 neighbOr are an exception to
this rule, for the servant of God who cannot
obtain justice in this world recaims his right
at the day of judgment; and God, who is
just, viii then compel the oppressor to make
restitution to the oppressed. Even the mar
! fNv1C aTa No A I,Y11a II 4
this responsibility the only means is to get a
quittance from your neighbor whom you
have wronged In all cases, however, there
is no need Of the intercession Of a 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
he to do SO. At his death the Mussulman in
habitants of the town are obliged 70 put hin
in a coffin and bury hun. Any Mussulmau
can do this: the presence of a religious chief
is not necessary.
In a word, in all religious acts there is no
intermediary between God and His servants.
1t is necessary to learn the will of God re
vealed by the Prophet, and to act in conform
ity with it,
Only the accomplishment Of certain relig
ious ceremonies, such as the prayers on Fri
day and at Beiram is subordinated to the will
of the Caliph, of the Prophet, and the Sultan
Of Mussumans, since the arrangement Of
ceremoE IS for Islamism is one of his sacred
attributes Obedience to his orders is one of
the most important religious duties. AS to
our mission, it consists in administering, in
his name, the religious affairs which he deigns
to confide to u.s.
May God give success and salvation 20 him
who is touched BY divine grace.