The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-10-10

DR.. Smith thinks that It would have been
better for tho after world II the development of
Islam had stopped at tho stage upon which it
entered when Mohammed promulgated his
Covenant with the Inhabitants of Medina.
Copies of that instrument have come down to
us. 1t is remarkable for tho modest position
which Mohammed claims for himself in relation
to the community at large. He evidently de-
sires to leave the social organization. as
nearly as possible, just as it is. The auton-
omy OF tho clans Is not disturbed, except in
certain matters wherein common action is
necessary. Even tho heather are allowed to
remain peaceably in their old relation. The
jews are continued under the clientaRe, and, OF
course, under the protection OF the Arabs. Tho
only innovations concern common enmity to the
Koreish of Mecca. common action in derensir9
Tdr. and the bringing OF disputes before God
and Mohammed for arbitration. Had all par
ties been willing to 1.-Two together under this con-
%stitution we should have seen Q State arise
with some measure Of religious liberation. I'm
fortunately. federation was not understood al
that time. Mohammed valued his document
only as representing the best that could be done
under the circumstance. The Jews, on their
side. had no higher ideal. They were az
far from desiring to live in intimacy
with men of another religion as was
Mohammed. They bad no sense of the
danger OF their position. They could not
keep from giving provocation to their neighbor.
and SO. when he grew stronger. he crushed them,
as Saul had crushed the Gibeonites. With their
defeat and expulsion, the principle of one re-
ligion in the State virtually triumphed. The
principle of Islam has been fixed by the personal
experience OF Mohammed. What history &C
tually brought forth in his case has since become
binding in precedent. and Is justified by the
theologians. The Moslem has now no Thought
of the State except that It is a theocracy. Its
basis Is tho true religion its ruler Is the spiritual.
as well as tho secular, head of the commonwealth.
There sno difference between Church and State.
The Church is a State. Instead OF a State Church
there is . Church State. The system which
sees in tho state theocracy necessarily reRu-
lates religion by law. We have Just seen that
Islam came near liberation. but failed to attain
IT. Islam does not, however. even now, treat
Judaism and Christianity as 1t treats heather.
ism. The latter must DO destroyed, because IL
Is false, and because 1t is disobedience to God.
The right and duty OF propagating Islam by the
sword has become fully established as part OF
the system, but we should bear in mind that. in
Mohanmed's Wow. this war was to be wageu
against idolaters only. He was content with the
submission of Jews and Christians. and did not
insist on their conversion. On ono occasion ho
spared the lives OF certain Jews and left them
In possession of their lands, but on the condi-
ton of paying one-half the fruits TO the Mos
lens. This precedent became law for the treat
ment of Jews and Christians, and is formally
sanctioned by a verse OF the Koran.
On the whole, tho author of this book 90
knowledges that he cannot help admirin1 In
Islam the power of the truth. 1t was not. in
deed, the truth alone which triumphed. but the
truth in alliance with worldly and sensual mo-
tiyes. Islam is not tho only religion in which
the world, the flesh, and the devil have fought
on the side OF the truth for their own ends.
Still. when all allowances have been made. the
truth which exists in Islam has been "A mower
AS compared with heathenism. Islam is a So
ciety in which God and righteousness are liy-
ing and active forces. Every one who has been
admitted to intimacy with Mohammedans will
TESTIFY That men are not rare among them who
live In the fear Of God. who strive to do fis
will. and whose kindness and benevolenco are
the outworking OF sincere faith In Him. Thu
hold OF Ialam on Its adherentS 10 due to the a.
thAt 1t smbpdlss much e1 ~ tEatAs
IL