THE FAITH OF ISLAM ***
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Transcriber's note: A few typographical errors have been corrected: they are listed at the end of the text. Original page numbers are shown as {99}.
THE
FAITH OF ISLAM:
BY
THE REV. EDWARD SELL, FELLOW OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MADRAS.
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TRÜBNER & CO., LONDON. ADDISON & CO., MADRAS. 1880.
_All rights reserved._
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MADRAS: PRINTED BY ADDISON AND CO., MOUNT ROAD.
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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._
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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--Persian Poetry--Darwíshes--Omar Khayyám--Wahhábís--their rise--spread in India--doctrines and influence ... PAGE 73
Note to Chapter III. Wahhábíism ... PAGE 114
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CHAPTER IV.
