t around an axis.(12) Again, in another verse, "And each star moves
in its own heaven."(13) Thus is explained the movement of the sun, of the
moon, of the earth, and of other bodies. When the Qur'an appeared, all the
mathematicians ridiculed these statements and attributed the theory to
ignorance. Even the doctors of Islam, when they saw that these verses were
contrary to the accepted Ptolemaic system, were obliged to explain them
away.

It was not until after the fifteenth century of the Christian era, nearly
nine hundred years after Muhammad, that a famous astronomer made new
observations and important discoveries by the aid of the telescope, which
he had invented.(14) The rotation of the earth, the fixity of the sun, and
also its movement around an axis, were discovered. It became evident that
the verses of the Qur'an agreed with existing facts, and that the
Ptolemaic system was imaginary.

In short, many Oriental peoples have been reared for thirteen centuries
under the shadow of the religion of Muhammad. During the Middle Ages,
while Europe was in the lowest depths of barbarism, the Arab peoples were
superior to the other nations of the earth in learning, in the arts,
mathematics, civilization, government and other sciences. The Enlightener
and Educator of these Arab tribes, and the Founder of the civilization and
perfections of humanity among these different races, was an illiterate
Man, Muhammad. Was this illustrious Man a thorough Educator or not? A just
judgment is necessary.

8: THE BAB

As for the Bab--may my soul be His sacrifice!--at a youthful age, that is to
say, when He had reached the twenty-fifth year of His blessed life, He
stood forth to proclaim His Cause.(15) It was universally admitted by the
_Sh_i'is that He had never studied in any school and had not acquired
knowledge from any teacher; all the people of _Sh_iraz bear witness to
this. Nevertheless, He suddenly appeared before the people, endowed with
the most complete erudition. Although He was but a merchant, He confounded
all the 'ulama of Persia.(16) All alone, in a way which is beyond
imagination, He upheld the Cause among the Persians, who are renowned for
their religious fanaticism. This illustrious Soul arose with such power
that He shook the supports of the religion, of the morals, the conditions,
the habits and the customs of Persia, and instituted new rules, new laws
and a new religion. Though the great personages of the Sta