SECTION III

Conclusion, 216; The Collection complete and impartial, 217; Existence and Currency of the Old and New Testaments in the time of Mahomet, 218; The Corân attests the inspiration of the Jewish and Christian Scriptures, 222; the Jewish and Christian Scriptures praised in the Corân, 222; the Scriptures appealed to, and their observance inculcated by Mahomet, 224; imputations against the Jews, 226; the Scriptures of the time of Mahomet the same as those now extant, 235; Belief in, and examination of, the Scriptures incumbent on all Mahometans.

CHAPTER I.

THE CORÂN AS EXPLAINED BY THE LIFE OF MAHOMET.

THE Corân is the ground-work of Islam. Its authority is absolute in all matters of polity, ethics, and science, equally as in matters of religion. "The Lord hath said it," is the standard of daily life. Where revelation is silent, tradition speaks; and upon the tradition of Mahomet's sayings and example, as well as upon the interpretation and analogy of the text of the CORÂN, are built up the various schools of Islam. But the Corân is supreme, and much of its teaching is so plain as to admit no question even among contending sectaries. While, therefore, those who would gain a knowledge of Islam, or would seek to influence Mahometan thought, must make themselves familiar with the traditional and scholastic lore of the sect among whom they are cast, a still greater incumbency rests on them to study the Corân itself. The devotion of the Mussulman to the Corân is intense. In the early Caliphate the ability to repeat it by heart conferred power and distinction, and honour still attaches to the attainment. Familiarity with the Corân is a