MOHAMEDANISM. 139 



al Jannat, or the garden, abounding in waters, sunshine, fruits, flow- 

 ers, and perfumes, where the beautiful Houris will be the companions 

 of the faithful. 



They say that the first hell, Gehenna, will be for wicked Mussul- 

 mans ; the second, Ladha, for the Jews ; the third, Hotama, for the 

 Christians; the fourth, Sair, for the Sabians; the fifth, Sakir, for 

 the Magians ; the sixth, al Jahim, for idolaters; and the seventh, 

 Hawiyat, the lowest and most dreadful, for hypocrites. Finally they 

 believe in a general Resurrection, and final Judgment; to be pre- 

 ceded by seventeen wonderful signs ; though the time is known to 

 God alone. Then, redress will be had for all injuries received ; and 

 they alone, whose good deeds overbalance their evil ones, will be 

 saved. The just will pass safely over the narrow bridge, Al Sirat, 

 while the wicked, and heretics, will fall therefrom into the dismal 

 regions beneath. 



3. The Practice of Mohamedanism, consists in ablution, prayer, 

 almsgiving, fasting, and making pilgrimages to Mecca, the holy city. 

 Mohamedans are required to pray Jive times in the day, turning 

 towards Mecca, which is called their kebla, signifying the point 

 towards which they should turn when praying. Those who are near 

 the Mosques, or houses of worship, are summoned to this duty by 

 the voice of the Muezzin, or crier. Frequent purifications, or 

 ablutions, are also required, as a preparation for prayer ; and these 

 united duties are the key to Paradise. Fasting, Mohamed called the 

 gate of religion ; the lowest degree of it being restraint of the 

 animal appetites ; the next, restraint from worldly pursuits ; and the 

 highest degree of it, being entire devotion to the Deity. Almsgiving, 

 was enjoined by Mohamed, as laying up a store of good works, 

 against the day of judgment. But especially, an annual pilgrimage 

 to Mecca, is required of all who can perform it ; without which, they 

 might as well be Jews or Christians. The Mohamedans are pro- 

 hibited from drinking wine ; and their moral code, in many points, 

 conforms to the Mosaic Law ; but they are allowed four wives ; and 

 many other things are permitted, which are contrary to reason and 

 the Scriptures. 



There are several different Sects, among the Mohamedans, of 

 which little can here be said. The Turks, and some others, believe 

 in the Sunna, or second book of life; and hence are called Sunnites ; 

 or sometimes the sect of Omar. The Mufti, in Turkey, is the chief, 

 or primate of their religion; whom even the Sultan advances to meet. 

 Most of the Persians, however, reject the Sunna, and hence are called 

 by the Turks, Shiites, (Sheeahs,) or heretics. They believe that Jill 

 is the vicar of God, and true successor of Mohamed; therein denying 

 the authority of the first three Caliphs. The Motazalites, and other 

 sects, deny that Paradise is yet created, and say that it will be different 

 from that one from which Adam and Eve were expelled. 



