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1874.] J. O’Kinealy— History and Doctrines of the Wahhabis . 
voice, when lifting a corpse or when sprinkling the grave with water. 
No authority for such has descended from the pious departed. In con¬ 
clusion, it is as well to point out that Shaikh Al-Tartusi-al-Mao’hribi 
has written a hook called ’Al-bais fi-inkar-il-bida’ wal-hawadis, and that 
Abu Shamah al Muqri has compiled from it a shorter pamphlet, which should 
be in the hands of all who are earnest in their faith, 
We prohibit those forms of Bid’at that affect religion or pious works. 
Thus drinking coffee, reciting poetry, praising kings, do not affect religion 
or pious works and are not prohibited, so long as they are not mixed up with 
acts of the nature above described, neither do we prohibit Ftikdf in a 
mosque in the belief that it is a pious act. Thus Hasan told ’Omar ibn al 
Khattab, Commander of the Faithful, that he had sung before one who was 
better than he, and ’Omar allowed him to sing. 
All games are lawful. Our prophet (may, &c.) allowed Al-Habshi to 
play in his mosque on the ’Id day. So it is lawful to chide and punish per¬ 
sons in various ways ; to train them in the use of different weapons ; or to 
use anything which tends to encourage warriors in battle, such as a war-drum. 
But it must not be accompanied with musical instruments. These are 
forbidden, and indeed the difference between them and a war drum is clear. 
However the Daff is allowed at marriages. The prophet (may, &c.) has 
said, “ Impurity has descended to us with purity.” And again, “ tell the Jews 
that our faith is not difficult.” 
We hold that Imam bin Qayam and his Shaikh are true Imams, follow¬ 
ers of the Alil-us-Sunnat, and we hold their writings in the greatest respect 
save that as regards them we are on every point ghair-muyallid , and every 
one of us is allowed to accept or reject their opinions, or the opinions of 
any person except those of the Prophet. It is well known that we hold 
opinions opposed to the Imams on several points. Thus as regards giving 
three divorces in one assembly, in one sentence, we hold it obligatory 
following the four Imams. We hold waqf proper, vows allowable, and 
their proper performance obligatory. Among the many forms of buVat 
which we forbid, is offering up Fatihahs to Pirs after the five daily prayers ; 
lauding them immoderately, and seeking conjunction with them after the 
manner in many cities. 
Consolidating prayers, though considered by some as a most pious act, 
is as a rule a temptation towards shirk, though persons do not perceive it. 
For shirk is so imperceptible, that people are often unwittingly guilty of it. 
If not, why should our prophet (may, &c.) have sought protection from it, 
viz., “0 Lord, you have guarded me against knowingly committing shirk. 
Pardon me, if I have done it unwittingly. To you are known the most 
secret things.” It is absolutely necessary that people should hold to these 
words, and avoid shirk as much as possible. And Omar ibn ul Khattab 
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