The Faith of Islam

The Faith of Islam, by Edward
Sell

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Title: The Faith of Islam
Author: Edward Sell
Release Date: February 24, 2007 [EBook #20660]
Language: English
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THE
FAITH OF ISLAM:
BY
THE REV. EDWARD SELL, FELLOW OF THE UNIVERSITY OF
MADRAS.
* * * * *
TRÜBNER & CO., LONDON. ADDISON & CO., MADRAS. 1880.
All rights reserved.
* * * * *
MADRAS: PRINTED BY ADDISON AND CO., MOUNT ROAD.
* * * * *
PREFACE.
The following pages embody a study of Islám during a residence of
fifteen years in India, the greater part of which time I have been in daily
intercourse with Musalmáns. I have given in the footnotes the
authorities from which I quote. I was not able to procure in Madras a
copy of the Arabic edition of Ibn Khaldoun's great work, but the French
translation by Baron M. de Slane, to which I so frequently refer, is
thoroughly reliable. The quotations from the Qurán are made from
Rodwell's translation. The original has been consulted when necessary.
A few slight and occasional errors in transliteration have occurred, such
as Sulát for Salát, Munkar for Munkir, &c., but in no case is the
meaning affected.
In some words, such as Khalíf, Khalífate, and Omar, I have retained the

anglicised form instead of using the more correct terms, Khalífa,
Khiláfat, 'Umr. The letter Q has been used to distinguish the
Káf-i-Karashat from the Káf-i-Tází.
E. S.
MADRAS, December 1st, 1880.
{v}
* * * * *
CONTENTS.
Introduction. ... PAGE ix
CHAPTER I.
THE FOUNDATIONS OF ISLÁM.
The Qurán--Its revelation--Miraculous nature--Arrangement of
Qurán--Osmán's recension. The Sunnat--The authority of
Sunnat--Tradition--Bid'at or innovation--Shía'h Traditions.
Ijmá'--Ijtihád--Four orthodox Imáms, Hanífa, Málik, Sháfa'í and
Hanbal. Qíás--Established by the early Mujtahidín--Sterility of Islám ...
PAGE 1
Note to Chapter I. Ijtihád ... PAGE 32
CHAPTER II.
EXEGESIS OF THE QURÁN AND THE TRADITIONS.
Inspiration--The seven readings--Work of a Commentator--Words and
Sentences of the Qurán--Use of the words--Deductions of arguments
from the Qurán--Divisions of the Qurán--Abrogation--Creation of the
Qurán--Hadís or Tradition--Collections of Traditions--Classification of
Traditions ... PAGE 37

CHAPTER III.
THE SECTS OF ISLÁM.
The Shía'hs--The
Imámat--Khárigites--Núr-i-Muhammadí--Imám--Ismá,ílians and
Imámites--Ghair-i-Mahdís--Dá,irí--Mahmúdíah--Khalífate--Súfíism--P
ersian Poetry--Darwíshes--Omar Khayyám--Wahhábís--their
rise--spread in India--doctrines and influence ... PAGE 73
Note to Chapter III. Wahhábíism ... PAGE 114
{vi}
CHAPTER IV.
THE CREED OF ISLÁM
Imán--God--Attributes of God--Discussions on the nature of God--The
rise of the Mutazilites--The Sifátíans--Mushábihites--Names of
God--Creation of the Qurán. Angels--Recording Angels--Hárút and
Márút--Munkir and Nakír--Jinn. The Books--Abrogation--Tahríf. The
Prophets--Rank and inspiration of prophets--Nabí and
Rasúl--Sinlessness of prophets--The Anbiya-ulul-'Azm--Miracles of
prophets--The Mi'ráj. The Resurrection and the last day--The
Trumpets--Descent of the
books--Balances--Bridge--Al-A'ráf--Al-Barzakh--Intercession of
Muhammad--Heaven--Hell. The Predestination of good and
evil--Jabríans--Qadríans--Ash'aríans--Free-will--Apostacy ... PAGE
116
Note to Chapter IV. Muslim Philosophy ... PAGE 181
CHAPTER V.
THE PRACTICAL DUTIES OF ISLÁM.
Farz, wájib, sunnat, mustahab and mubáh actions--Harám or unlawful

acts. Tashahhud. Salát--Wazú--Ghusl--Tayammum--Namáz--Farz,
sunnat, witr and nafl rak'ats--Appointed hours of prayer--Friday Namáz
and sermon--Namáz on a journey and in time of war--Namáz in
Ramazán, during an eclipse and in time of drought--Funeral service--Its
ritual and prayers. Fasting--Its time and nature.
Zakát--Nisáb--Proportion of property to be given as alms--Recipients
of the Zakát. The Hajj--Farz, sunnat, wájib and mustahab duties
connected with the Hajj--Time for the Hajj--Arrival of the Hájí at
Mecca--Tawáf--Ceremonies of the Hajj--Conclusion of the
Hajj--Formal nature of Islám ... PAGE 187
Note to Chapter V. Fatvá on the Namáz ... PAGE 233
{vii}
CHAPTER VI.
THE FEASTS AND FASTS OF ISLÁM.
Muharram--'Áshúr Khána--Marsiya--Wáqi'a
Khán--'Alams--Ceremonies of the 'Áshúrá--Fátihas for 'Alí, for Hasan
and Husain--Akhir-i-chár Shamba--Bárá
Wafát--Jashn-i-milád-i-Sharif--Ásár-i-Sharíf--Shab Barát--Ramazán
and 'Íd-ul-Fitr--'Itikáf--Sadqa--Sermon on the 'Íd-ul-Fitr--Baqr-'Íd or
'Íd-uz-Zuhá--Sermon on the 'Íd-uz-Zuhá--The Qurbán or
Sacrifice--Festival of Madár--Festival of Sálár Mas'úd Ghází--Festival
of Khája Khizr--Feast of Pír Dastgír Sáhib--Festival of Qádir Walí
Sáhib ... PAGE 237
Index of Technical Terms ... PAGE 265
{ix}
* * * * *
INTRODUCTION.
It is necessary to enter into some explanation as regards the contents of

this work. It does not fall in with its plan to enter into an account either
of the life of Muhammad or of the wide and rapid spread of the system
founded by him. The first