The sun., 1900-12-02
"

The outcome Of h, brief examination OF the
subject seems to be that the cfyec, is in the main
crampinc. sitting and sterili2ine. At the same
time. it il pointed out that Islam has another
and vivifying side. Probably no system has
done more to encourage individual liberty and
responsibility. despite It's forrnality despite
Its despotsm. despite the fatllism which il
teaches II IL the most uns1ccrdotal religion
In the world 1t recognizes no sort OF priest.
and calls on every man TO save and Justify him
self before the Almighty. The most solemn
ceremony performed by the Callph as head
Of the faith does not differ In kind from the
daily prayers OF the most illtcrate peasant
The sense Of Individual importance has lis
eyemplar In the Turkish soldier, who IL the in
carna,ion alike Of Islam and of the Turkish
race According to military experts he has
not only the passive obedience Of the Slav.
but a readiness In finding expedients and an
individual initiative which are In the armies
of other countries Islam has strengthened
and hallowed the sense OF discipline the un-
questioning submission TO authority which
have always characterized the Turk: but, on
the other hand by intoxicating In every man a
feeling Of his dignity and a consciousness OF
his responsibility. 1t encourages and enlivens
individual effort In the few spheres wherein
those who profess Islam are able to show
energy The Sultan may be Roman Emperor;
but every Turk is a Roman citizen. with a pro-
found self-respect and n sense not only Of his
duties but Of what Is due 70 him.
Our author also credits Islam with the tenn
perance which II breaches No doubt the upper
classes In Constantinople drink considerably
and drink with the deliberate intention OF in
to1icatlng themselves II we put aside, how
ever this section OF society. which Justly NAV
be described ms contaminated by European
influences, IL may be safely said that the great
aJorIty OF the Turkish nation, soldiers peas
ants. merchants and the learned professions
never touch alcohol Against the moral value
OF this abstinence may be set the position as
signed to women nevertheless, any just cri,i-
cism of Mohammcd's legislation on this subject
and lis results mus. not lose sight Of two points
First, Mohammed did not invent the seciu,ion
and suh'ectiou OF women lie accepted with
some improvements tho current Arabian idoas
on The subject The system OF the haren il
in It's origin not Mos.cm. but simply Oriental
The only reproach that can he made against
the Prophet on this score is that by too definite
legislation he rendered subsequent dcvelopuent
and reform impoSslhl" Secondly. those who
tall Il the DEGRADATION Of Mohammedan women
would % well to remember that in Nohorn
m'dan countries prostitution and I!egitt,nsc,.
are almost unknown. II is true that only tho
lcrcth ~ his purse and the temper of his lawful
wives both "' these restraints are very effective
limit the unions which Moslcm may contract
with slaves, but the offspring of such unin,s
are legitimate children. and inherit. shan. apd
share alike. with the children born IN wedlock
Mo>lcm woman is mover free but on ia, n,I.,r
hand, II is almost impossible 10 iriarire ms.
circumstances In which she would be cast ON
the world without n protector A ,or,,ir