cast off the
fetters of the rigid system which Islam was gradually tightening by the
increased authority given to traditionalism, and to the refinements of the
four Imams, was undoubtedly a period of, comparatively speaking, high
civilization. Baghdad, the capital of the Khalifate, was a busy, populous,
well-governed city. This it mainly owed to the influence of the Persian
family of the Barmecides, one of whom was Vizier to the Khalif
Harun-ur-Rashid. Harun's fame as a good man is quite undeserved. It is true
that he was a patron of learning, that his Empire was extensive, that he
gained many victories, that his reign was the culminating point of Arab
grandeur. But for all that, he was a morose despot, a cruel man, thoroughly
given up to pleasures of a very questionable nature. Drunkenness and
debauchery were common at court. Plots and intrigues were ever at work.
Such was the state of one of the greatest, if not the greatest, periods
{139} of Muslim rule. This, too, was at a time most favourable for the
development of any good which Islam might have possessed. It should be
remembered that whatever glory is rightly attached to this period is
connected with an epoch when heresy was specially prevalent, when orthodoxy
was weak in Baghdad. The culture of the time was in spite of, not on
account of, the influence of orthodox Islam.

2. ANGELS.--Of this article of the creed Muhammad Al-Berkevi says:--

"We must confess that God has angels who act according to His order and
who do not rebel against Him. They neither eat nor drink, nor is there
amongst them any difference of sex. Some are near the throne of God;
those are His messengers. Each one has his particular work. Some are on
earth, some in heaven, some are always standing, some always prostrate
themselves and some laud and praise God. Others have charge of men and
record all their actions. Some angels are high in stature and are
possessed of great power. Such an one is Gabriel (Jibra,il) who in the
space of one hour can descend from heaven to earth, and who with one
wing can lift up a mountain.

We must believe in 'Izra,il who receives the souls of men when they
die, and in Israfil into whose charge is committed the trumpet. This
trumpet he has actually in his hand, and placed to his mouth ready to
blow when God gives the order. When he receives that order he will blow
such a terrible blast that all living