its equivalent) are to form, as they have hitherto
{113} done for every sect, the sole law to regulate all conditions and
states of life, enlightened and continued progress is impossible. The
deadening influence of Islam is the greatest obstacle the Church of God has
to overcome in her onward march; its immobility is the bane of many lands;
connection with it is the association of the living with the dead; to speak
of it, as some do, as if it were a sort of sister religion to Christianity,
is but to show deplorable ignorance where ignorance is inexcusable. Thus it
is plain that Musalmans are not all of one heart and soul.[98] In the next
chapter I hope to show that Islam is a very dogmatic and complex system in
spite of the simple form of its creed.

{114}

NOTE TO CHAPTER III.

WAHHABIISM.

In the Journal Asiatique, 4me Serie, tome 11, a curious account is
given of the voyage of Mirza Muhammad 'Ali Khan, some time Persian
Ambassador in Paris. This gentleman states that in one of his voyages
from Persia to India he met with a Wahhabi, who had in his possession a
tract written by the founder of the sect. This small pamphlet he
allowed Mirza Muhammad to copy. I give the substance of the pamphlet in
this note. The original Arabic will be found in the Journal Asiatique.
It is of considerable interest as a protest against idolatry. It is as
follows:--I know that God is merciful, that the sect of Abu Hanifa is
orthodox and identical with the religion of Abraham. After thou hast
known that God has created His servants for the purpose of being served
by them, know also that this service or devotion is to worship God, One
and alone; just as prayer (Salat) is not prayer (Salat), unless it is
accompanied with the legal purification. God Most High has said: "It is
not for the votaries of other gods with God, witnesses against
themselves of infidelity, to visit the temples of God. These! vain
their works: and in the fire shall they abide for ever!" (Sura ix. 17.)

Those who in their prayers, address any other than God, in the hope of
obtaining by them that which God alone can give--those bring unto their
prayers the leaven of idolatry and make them of none effect, "and who
erreth more than he who, beside God, calleth upon that which shall not
answer him until the day of resurrection." (Sura xlvi. 4) On the
contrary, when the day o