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1874.] J. 0‘Kinealy —History and Doctrines of the Wahhabis. 
the most simple elements of their religion. When an oath is lightly taken, 
it is not an aggravated form of shirk ; hut such a habit must be sternly 
checked and the swearer directed to beg pardon of God. 
As to conjunction with God, we hold that when one says, “ 0 Lord, I 
shall obtain conjunction with you through the majesty of Muhammad,” or 
“ through our prophet,” or “ through the Majesty of your pure servants,” 
or “ through your servant so and so,” this is a sort of worship, sinful in its 
nature, (especially as there has been no decision in favour of it), like the 
practice of invoking the prophet (may he, &c.) in a loud voice, at Azan 
time. 
Now as regards the Ahl-ul-bait, a similar question, viz. the lawfulness of 
marrying a Fatimite, was asked of the people of Darayah, and they answered 
in accordance with former decisions regarding them. It is right to be 
friendly and on good terms with them, as is stated in the Qoran and the 
Sunnat. But we must remember that Islam is the line of separation 
between us and the rest of mankind ; and that there is neither grace nor 
goodness without piety which carries with it honor, respect, and reverence. 
All learned people are guided by it in the question of precedence, between 
persons nearly equal in age or knowledge, or in advancing to meet such 
when escorting them to the place of honor. But the custom which is 
prevalent in some cities, of honoring those who are young and ignorant, 
even so far that they are angry, beat, wound, or at least quarrel with 
those who do not kiss their hands instead of shaking them, is not based 
on any decision, nor is there any evidence in its favour. On the contrary, 
it is forbidden and should be abolished. If one person kisses the hand of 
another returning from a long journey, or if he does it to honor him for 
his learning, or after a long absence, it is harmless in itself, but is ob¬ 
jectionable, as it becomes known to those who put faith in such things 
and creates a custom among proud people. Hence we absolutely prohibit 
it, especially on account of those of whom it is said as a warning: “ It is 
not possible to close all the places where hunters watch.” For this very 
reason we razed the house of the noble Khadijah, the wife of our Prophet, 
the dwelling in which the prophet was born, and other places dedicated to 
certain Saints in Makkah, so that the people might be warned and flee from 
shirk, inconsistent with His exaltedness, and which He will never forgive. 
Shirk is worse even than saying God has a son; the latter makes Him supe¬ 
rior to all created beings, the former does away with this superiority. For 
the Lord has said, “ A parable is propounded to you about yourselves 
“ What your right hands have obtained, is it for you or for your compa- 
mons r . 
The marriage of a Fatimite to a person not a Fatimite is not incon¬ 
sistent with the ^conduct of Muslims, nor is it wrong. ’All and ’Omar- 
