280 THE KORAN. 



inculcates a similar persuasion as to the existence 

 and purity of angels, the resurrection of the body, 

 and a general judgment. These comprehend the 

 six great points of faith ; most of which have already 

 been brought under the reader's notice. Angels are 

 conceived to be spiritual beings created of fire, which 

 neither eat, drink, nor propagate their species. It 

 is heresy to deny their existence, or to assert any 

 distinction of sex among them. Various forms, 

 offices, and occupations are assigned to them ; but 

 four are more honoured, and oftener mentioned 

 than the rest, as being higher in the favour and con- 

 fidence of the Almighty : Gabriel, the minister of 

 revelations ; Michael, the friend and protector of 

 tlie Jews ; Asrael, the messenger of death ; and 

 Israfael, who will sound the last trumpet at the 

 resurrection. They also believe that two guardian 

 angels, who are changed daily, attend on every 

 man to witness and record his deeds. The fall of 

 Eblis or the devil, for refusing to pay homage to 

 Adam at the Divine command, is a doctrine of the 

 Koran ; as is the belief of an intermediate order of 

 creatures, the Jin or Genii, of a grosser fabric than 

 angels, requiring nourishment, marrying, subject to 

 death, and responsible, like other mortals, for their 

 conduct. 



The resurrection and final judgment of the human 

 race have been adorned by the Mohammedans with 

 many legends and fanciful embeUishments. The day 

 is to be preceded and ushered in with vast solemnity. 

 Every corpse, when laid in the grave, is supposed 

 to be catechized by two examiners, Munkir and 

 Nakir, black and livid angels of a terrible aspect, 

 who order the dead man to sit upright, and answer 

 their interrogatories as to the soundness of his faith. 

 If his replies are satisfactory, the body is suffered 

 to rest in peace, and refreshed by the air of para- 

 dise ; if not, his torture commences. He is beaten 

 on the temples with iron mallets, gnawed and stung, 



