426 ON THE ROSHENIAH SECT 



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5. The MakndyaL These are the followers of Ibn-Makna, who was 

 an adherent of Abu' Mo'slem; and in the time of Mamu'n, when the 



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Malhed sed began to ^display itself, the followers of Ibn-Makna were 

 friendly to that person, and afe still included in the M-aZ/ze^ sea„ From the 

 Mw-Muskmah and the Ihhi Maknd, sprung the Izramiah. Ibn-Makna 

 first pretended to be a prophet, and afterwards to be God himself.' His 

 adherents are numerous in the distri6l of CeV/f, and form a se6l. As soon 

 as he assumed the character of God, he concealed himself from the 

 sight of men, shewed himself to nobody, but wore a veil ; saying, nobody 

 can bear to behold me. His followers were also persuaded, that if he 

 looked on any one, he would be consumed by his brightness. When 

 his followers entreated him, in the most earnest manner, to show him- 

 self to them, he prepared some burning mirrors, and placed them so that 

 the rays would fall on their faces; and then ordered them to advance, 

 when those who were foremost were struck by the burning rays, anxl 

 the rest turned back, and seeing what had happened, exclaimed, " Gazers 

 cannot behold him, but he looks upon the gazers: he is the beautiful and 

 the far seeing one." This accursed person had but one eye, and was 

 named Ha'shem, He was originally of Merw, and was exceedingly well 

 versed in mechanical devices, and the knowledge of combustible materials ; 

 by which means he seduced the inhabitants of C/j/2, and Aiiak, m Fer^ 

 ghdneh, who after the rise of the Maiheds, joined them, and still con- 

 tinue in that se6l." 



After the account of the R&shemak sect, which has been already given; 

 it appears unnecessary to dilate on its connection with the different 

 sects, included in the Ismdiliyah heresy. It is obviously a branch of the 

 same stock, and may be considered, as particularly connected with the 



