, '3 V, 251 Miilioiiu'taiiisin Unveiled. An EiKiuiiy in wliicli that Arch-Heresy, its DilTusion and Continuance aie examined in a new jirinciple, tendinj^ 4o contirin tin- Kvidcnics aiul aid the Pr()i)ai^atii)n of t lie C'hristiau Faith, by Rev. (has. Foster, B.D. 2 vols C'lotli, 182i). 'llnTe are two ohiocts of curiosity— The Cliristian World, and llic Mahometan World, n\] tlio rest may be considered .as barbarous. Jvliiison. MAHOMETANISM UNVEILED. VOL. IT. THERE ARE TWO OBJECTS OF CURIOSITY, — THE CHRISTIAN WORLD, AND THE MAHOMETAN WORLD : ALL THE REST MAY BE CONSIDERED AS BARBAROUS. DOCTOR SAMUEL JOHNSON. London : I'rinteii by A. & R, Spoltiswoodc, Ncw.Strcct- Square. MAHOMETANISM UNVEILEDr,,,,,., ^ AN INQUIRY, ,,,, IN WHICH THAT ARCH-HERESY, ITS DIFFUSION AND CONTINUANCE, ARE EXAMINED ON A NEW PRINCIPLE, TENDING TO CONFIRM THE EVIDENCES, AND AID THE PROPAGATION, OF THE CHRISTIAN FAITH. BY THE REV. CHARLES FORSTER, B.D. CHANCELLOR OF ARDFERT, AND EXAMINING CHAPLAIN TO THE LORD BISHOP OF LIMERICK. Mahometanism began as a Christian heresy. Joseph Mede. The extraordinary success, which has attended the imposture of Mahomet, has exercised the ingenuity of Christian writers ; and yet does not appear to have been satisfactorily explained. PniLOsopHV op Modern History. Ex Hagare Ismaelem suscepit Abrahamus; rem pmnem,ad arcanos fines, ita dirigente Numine. Buddeos. IN TWO VOLUMES. VOL. II. LONDON: PRINTED FOR J. DUNCAN, 37. PATERNOSTER-ROW; AND J. COCHRAN, 108. STRAND. MDCCCXXIX. MAHOMETANISM UNVEILED. SECTION VIII. ANALOGY OF THE KORAN WITH THE BIBLE. The spurious likeness which Mahometanism so scrupulously maintains with Judaism and Chris- tianity, through all the features in which they have been hitherto compared together, may prepare us for the existence of a corresponding resemblance between the three religious systems, in the character and structure of their respective sacred books. This particular analogy, like those which have preceded it, will, on more near investigation, be found to obtain just in the extent which we are authorized to expect, from the quality of the natural relationship between Isaac and Ishmael : the Bible being just so far successfully imitated by the Koran, as still sufficiently to keep alive the affinity, between the legitimate, and the spurious revelation. VOL. ir. B 6 2 MAHOMETANISM UNVEILED. [Sect. VIII. Respecting this part of our subject, it is almost needless to repeat, that the whole of the re- semblances to be considered are, fi'om iirst to last, little else than studied and servile imitations: in which we are reminded of the di\'ine original, only the more sensibly to perceive and feel, the gross disfigurements of its beauties, and the monstrous perversions of its truths, exhibited by the Koran. At the same time it is unquestionable, that, in its general design and composition, as Avell as in its pretensions to inspiration, the latter volume presents a correspondence most circumstantial and extraordinary, with the Jewish and Christian Scriptures : a correspondence, at once, embracing several of the most prominent features of both Testaments, and descending to the minutest peculiarities of their order and distribution. The groundwork of the proposed comparison has been laid by Mahomet himself: since it was in open and avowed imitation of Moses, and of the tables of the law, that the Arabian impostor pretended to have received, in the chapters of the Koran, a written revelation, sent down to him immediately from heaven. This pseudo- bible, he further constantly affirmed to have been modelled, by the Spirit of God, after the books of the Law and of the Gospel ; and to have been Sect. VIII.J THE KORAN. 3 revealed, in order to complete the Hebrew and Christian Scriptures. And so far did his scheme of plagiarism carry him forward, in perfecting this branch of the analogy, that, as we have elsewhere remarked *, he even went the studied length of shutting up the chapters of the Koran in a coffer, which he styled the chest of his apostleship ; professing to do so after the example of Moses, who, by divine commandment, had enclosed, in the ark of the Lord, the tables of his law. The identity of character with the Jewish lawgiver, thus, from the outset, affected by Ma- homet, in the putting forth of his pretended revelation, is followed up by a close and literal coincidence in the several tiiieSj divisionSf and subdivisions, technically applied, by the Jews, on the one hand, to the volume of the Old Tes- tament, and by Mahomet and his followers, on the other hand, to the Koran. These external features of agreement are spe- cimens of Mahometan plagiarism, too palpable to have been let pass without animadversion, by preceding writers. Notice, accordingly, has been taken of them, in the dissertation of Mill t ; and this part of the analogy between the Koran and * Vol.1, p. 285. f De Mohammed, ante Mohamm. p. 361. B 2 4) MAHOMETANISM UNVEILED. [Sect. VIII. the Old Testament, has been very fully set forth by the learned English translator, in his Pre- liminary Discourse. We will submit the par- ticulars in the words of Mr. Sale ; beginning with the title Koran. " The word Koran, derived from the verb karaa, to read, signifies, properly, in Arabic, the reading, or rather, that which ought to be read ; by which name the Mohammedans denote, not only the entire book or volume of the Koran, but, also, any particular chapter or section of it: just as the Jews call either the whole Scrip- ture, or any part of it, by the name of Kardhy or Mikra ; words of the same origin and im- port. " Besides this peculiar name, the Koran is also honoured with several appellations, common to other books of Scripture ; as, Al Forkdn, from the verb Jaraka, to divide or distinguish : in the same notion that the Jews use the word Perekf or Pirka, from the same root, to denote a section or portion of Scripture. " It is also called Al Moskdjl the Volume, and Al Kitdby the Book, by way of eminence ; wliich answers to the BibUa of the Greeks : and Al Dhi/iTy the admonition; which name is also given to the Pentateuch and Gospel. *' The Koran is divided into 114< larger por- Sect. Vlli.] THE KORAN. 5 tions, of very unequal length, which we call chapters, but the Arabians Sowar, in the singular Sura ; a word rarely used on any other occasion, and properly signifying a row, order, or regular series ; as a course of bricks, in building, or a rank of soldiers, in an army ; and is the same, in use and import, with the Sura, or Tora, of the Jews; who also call the fifty-three sections of the Pentateuch, Seddrim, a word of the same signification. These chapters are not, in the manuscript copies, distinguished by their nu- merical order ; but, usually, from the first word of note : exactly in the same manner as the Jews have named their Seddrim. " Every chapter is subdivided into smaller portions, of very unequal length also ; which we customarily call verses; but the Arabic word is Aj/dty the same with the Hebrew Ototh, and signifies signs or wonders; such as are the secrets of God, his attributes, works, judgments, and ordinances, delivered in these verses. "The Mohammedans have in this, also, imitated tlie Jews, that they have superstitiously numbered the very words, and letters, of their law ; nay, they have taken the pains to compute the num- ber of times each particular letter of the alphabet is contained in the Koran. " Beside these unequal divisions of chapter B 3 6 JMAHOMETANISM UNVEILED. [Sect. VIII. and verse, the Mohammedans have also divided their Koran into sixtij equal portions, vvliich they call Ahzhcil), in the singular Hizb ; each sub- divided into four equal parts : which is also an imitation of the Jews ; who have an ancient division of their Mishna, into si.vti/ poi^tions, called Massictoth. " Next after the title, at the head of every chapter, except only the ninth, is prefixed the following solemn form, by the Mohammedans called the BismiUah, In the name of the most MERCIFUL God ; which form they constantly place at the beginning of all their books and writings in general, as a peculiar mark, and dis- tinguishing characteristic of their religion ; it being counted a sort of impiety to omit it. The Jews, for the same purpose, make use of the form, In the name of the Lord, or In the NAME OF the GREAT GoD. And the eastern Christians, that of. In the name of the Father, AND of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost."* From the foregoing extracts it appears, that, in its several titles, divisions, and subdivisions, the volume of the Koran is constructed and dis- tributed with the minutest attention to the titles, divisions, and subdivisions, which had been ap- * Prclira. Disc. Sect. iii. pp. 71— 78. Sect. VIII.] THE KORAN. 7 propriated, by the Jewish cliurch, to the sacred vohime of the Old Testament. The analogy which Mahometanism thus main- tains with Judaism, through the medium of their respective sacred books, may be illustrated, in the next place, by a remarkable historical coin- cidence ; namely, the parallel questions raised by the Moslem doctors, and by the Jewish rab- bins, respecting the creation, or the non-creation, of the Koran and of the Pentateuch. Whether the Koran was created, in time, or had, from all eternity, existed in the essence of God, formed the subject of a celebrated Maho- metan controversy ; which, under the Abasside dynasty, gave birth to fierce debates, and cruel persecutions, throughout the eastern empire of the Saracens. The more violent of the contro- versialists denied, altogether, the doctrine of its creation in time : the more moderate conceded that the Koran was created ; but maintained that its creation took place at a prior date, and in a different and more excellent manner, than that of the heavens, and of the earth, and of all thins^s contained therein. Thus Jahia, in his commentary, affirms, that, " two thousand years ere he created the heavens and the earth, God wrote the Koran, and deposited it under his throne." Now the very same claim is advanced B 4 8 MAHOMETANISM UNVEILED. [Sect. VIII. by the tradition of the rabbins, with regard to the books of Moses ; to which, rabbinical au- thority assigns a simihu- priority of date, and dignity of creation, before all the other works of God. Like the Mahometan, again, the Jewish doctors assert, that the Law, as promulgated in the time of Moses, had been created many ages previously to the creation of the world : and, according to the Gemara, it is styled " a good gift, laid up in the treasury of God ; which was created by Him, nine hundred and seventy-four aees before the creation of the world."* Another tenet of Mahometans, relative to their Koran, may be noticed in connection with the notion of its pre-existence : I mean the doc- trine that the Koran was not revealed to Maho- met, originally as a whole ; but that it was sent down from heaven in parts, and communicated to him piece-meal, as the occasion demanded.t This device of the Arabian impostor plainly appears to have been suggested by the rabbin- ical doctrine touching the Pentateuch : for the Gemara not only affirms, that the books of Moses were originally delivered to him in parts or sections, but defines, also, the several portions, * Mill, pp. 363—365. t " We have dictated it gradually; and by distinct parcels." Koran, chap. XXV. Sect. VIII.] THE KORAN. 9 and assigns the specific occasions of their de- livery.* The outward reverence manifested by the Jews for their Scriptures, is strongly marked, in their traditional law, by the solemn prohibitions, either to touch the volume of the Law with un- washen hands, or to handle it even with purified hands, without the intervention of a case or cover; the neglect of which precautions, the rabbins solemnly denounce as a heinous sacri- lege, and imprecate curses on the heads of the offenders : now the very same prohibitions are enacted by Mahometan tradition ; which, in like manner, proscribes the handling of the Koran •with naked or unwashen hands ; and enjoins that the copies of it shall be kept carefully covered with skins bearing this inscription, " Let none touch it except the pure." t While, in its whole external history, it bears an affinity, thus circumstantial and peculiar, to the sacred volume of the Jews, the volume of the Mahometan pseudo-scriptures does not want for sufficient spurious marks of internal relation, also, both to the Old and New Testaments. * Mill, pp. 365, 366. + " This is the excellent Koran : none shall touch the same, except those who are clean." Koran, ch. Ivi. ad fin. The sentiment appears to have been taken from the Greek philosophy. It was a maxim of Socrates, touching the reverence due to God, jutj Kadapcf) Kadapov tipannaOai, fj.r] ov ^ffinov. Compare Mill, ut supr. pp. 366, 367. 10 MAHOMETANISM UNVEILED. [Sect, VIII. The Koran, it will be recollected, was deli- vered by Mahomet, professedly as the comple- tion of the former Scriptures of the Law and Gospel ; as a further revelation, that is to say, ? perfective of both ; and advancing, in its turn, on the revelation of the Gospel, as this had pre- viously advanced on that of the Mosaic law. On this footing, accordingly, the book of the Koran was actually received, among the earliest converts of the Arabian antichrist * ; a fact which, besides other evidences, may be clearly deduced from the declaration made by one of the primitive Mussulmans, in announcing the pretended mission of Mahomet, to the Christian King of Ethiopia : " He has with him," said Giafar, " a glorious book, resemblbig the book ofJesuSi the son of Mary ; with which it main- tains, throughout, a perfect consent and agree- ment.'^ t So far, therefore, as the professed character and object of the Koran are in question, Maho- metanism appears consistently to maintain its providential relation to Judaism and Christianity as the S})urious copy of both revelations. Nor, notwithstanding its gross fabrications, and its egregious absurdities, will tlie contents of * " Ipsi Mohammedani Alcoramiin Evangclio similcin pracdicant." Mill, p. :541..^^ ' t lb. ]). 34'2. t.C . Sect. VIII.] THE KORAN. 1] the Koran, on a nearer inspection, be found, in the main, at variance with the kind of resem- blance which it has been thus far shown to preserve, with the Jewish and Christian Scrip- tures. Not to anticipate the more circumstantial coin- cidences, we will, for the present, only observe, that, in its general outline of facts, the Koran corresponds with the Old Testament, in the fol- lowing historical details : the accounts, of the creation of the world ; of the fall of Adam ; of the general deluge ; of the deliverance of Noah and his family in the ark ; the call of Abraham ; the stories of Isaac and Ishmael ; of Jacob and the Patriarchs ; the selection of the Jews, as God's chosen people ; the prophetic office, mir- acles, and administration of Moses ; the giving of the Mosaic law ; the inspiration and authority of the Hebrew prophets, psalmists, and hagio- graphers, especially of David and Solomon ; the account, lastly, of the promise delivered, through theJewishprophets, of the advent of the Messiah; with several of the accompanying predictions respecting the manner of his birth, the nature of his office, the signs of his ministry, and the final object of his mission. Again, with the New Testament, the Koran concurs, in the recognition of Jesus Christ, as 12 MAHOMETANISM UNVEILED. [Sect. VIII. the promised Messiah of the Jews ; in his mi- raculous conception by the breath, or spirit, of God ; liis immaculate nativity, of the Virgin Mary ; his title of the Logos or Word of God ; in the miraculous birth of John, the son of Zacharias, to be his appointed forerunner; in his performance of many mighty signs and mi- racles, such as the healing of the sick, the raising of the dead, and the controuling or casting out of devils, in attestation of his hea- venly mission ; in his rejection and persecution by his own countrymen ; his condemnation to the death of the cross * ; his bodily ascension into heaven ; and the abiding consummation of his prophetic functions, in the eternal world, in his characters of Mediator and Intercessor, between God and man ; and of Judge of all men at the last day. When, however, we come to a nearer examin- ation of the text of the Koran, its numerous coincidences with the facts and doctrines of the Bible, appear strangely interspersed with matter the most incongruous ; with extra\agant fables, monstrous perversions of truth, and ridiculous and endless puerilities. Now, instead of detract- ing from the argumentative force of the actual * After the example of the ancient heretics, the Cerinthians, Basilidians, and Carpocratians, Maliomet denied tlie reality of our Lord's crucifixion. See Koran, chap, iii, iv. with Mr, Sale's notes, vol. i. pp.64, and I'J'l. Sect. VIII.] THE KORAN. 13 analogy between the Koran and the Bible, this spurious admixture but serves to illustrate and confirm our whole previous reasonings : since, while both the matters of fact, and the matters of faith, which the Koran appears to hold in com- mon with Judaism and Christianity, may be clearly traced to the Hebrew and Christian Scriptures ; its fictions and absurdities can be not less clearly deduced, on the one hand, from the traditions of the talmudic and rabbinical writers ; and, on the other hand, from the apo- cryphal gospels, or from the books of Adam, of Seth, of Enoch, of Noah, and other similar fa- brications, well known in church history as having been extensively in use among the here- tics of the first centuries.* And thus, when its anomalous contents come to be reduced into some order, and to be referred to the several sources whence they were evi- dently drawn, the pseudo-bible of Mahometanism exhibits just the kind of text and character of construction, which properly belongs to it, re- garded as an antichristian parody of the Jewish and Christian Scriptures. We will now proceed to exemplify these general remarks, by a short analysis of the con- tents of the Koran, in which it will be our chief object to illustrate the nature and amount of * Sale, Prelim, Disc. p. 83. See also p. 98. 14" MAHOMETANISM UNVEILED. [Sect. VIII. its spurious parallel with the Law and Gospel. With this view, we shall begin with passages of the Koran which directly class the Mahometan Bible, so called, with the Old and New Testa- ments : " We have surely sent down the law, con- taining direction and light : thereby did the PROPHETS, who professed the true religion, judge those who judaized. " We also caused Jesus, the son of Mary, to follow the footsteps of the Prophets ; confirming the Law, which was sent down before him : and we gave him the Gospel, containing direction and light ; confirming, also, the Law, which was given before it. " We have also sent down unto thee [Maho- met] the Book of the Koran, with truth ; con- firming that Scripture which was revealed before it, and preserving the same safe from corruption."* In these passages, the Koran formally chal- lenges its places beside the sacred volumes of the Law and the Gospel, as sent to perfect botht ; and as forming, together wdth them, the sum of God's written revelation. • Sale's Koran, vol. i. pp. 139, 140. •f- So also in the third chapter : " God hath sent down unto thee the book of the Koran witli truth, confinning that which was revealed before it ; for he had formerly sent down the Law, and tlie Gospel, a direction unto men." Koran, chap. iii. ad init. Cf. ch. xii. ad fin. and ch. xlvi. vol. ii. p- '•'>'-• also. ch. Hi. ad fin. Sect. VIII.] THE KORAN. 15 In anotlier part, it arrogates to itself the same liigh distinction, if possible in more set terms ; uniting itself with the Old and New Testaments, under the authoritative titles of ♦' the Law, and THE Gospel, and the other Scriptures ;" and representing these three volumes as together constituting the one true manual of the faithful, and the sum of all extant written revelation. In a third place, we find the following words, declaratory of the common origin and object of the Mosaic and Mahometan written laws : *' We formerly gave unto Moses and Aaron the Law, being a distinction between good and evil, and a light and admonition unto the pious ; and this Book [the Koran], also, is a blessed admonition, which we have sent down from heaven." Again : " We have given thee the Koran, as we gave the Psalms to David."* In contemplating this important branch of the general analogy, we are, therefore, to con- sider, that the comparison between the Bible and the Koran was first instituted by Mahomet himself; and that, by pubhshing it as the com- pletion of the Jewish and Christian Scriptures, he has stamped this pretended revelation, through all its scriptural plagiarisms and imitations, as the book of antichrist. * Sale's Koran, vol. i. p. 125. 16 MAHOMETANISM UNVEILED. [Sect. VIII. It is equally deserving of consideration, that the followers of Mahomet have ever zealously maintained the pretensions of the Koran, to this designed and immediate connection with the Old and New Testaments : that they not only admit, but argue from, the existence of a parallel between the three volumes ; strongly insisting on the conformity of tlie Koran with the Bible, as one of the chief proofs of its inspiration. The spurious resemblance of the Koran to the sacred volume has often engaged the notice of Christian writers. But fully to establish the antichristian character of this resemblance, it is essential, that it should have been thus contrived by Mahomet, and maintained by his followers, with the set purpose of identifying the Koran with the Scriptures of both Testaments. The case does not demand, nor will our limits admit, such an analysis of the text of the Koran, as might enable us fully to trace its mani- fold and multiform plagiarisms, to their original sources in the Law and Gospel. Our object, therefore, must be, rather, by select examples, to indicate the nature of the correspondence, than to specify its amount. But, before we adduce specimens of this parallel, in its details, it would seem expedient briefly to consider, in a general way, the extent Sect. VIII.] THE KORAN. 17 to which the Scriptures of both Testaments are, in fact, copied after in the Koran ; and, also, the method, and apparent design, observable in its plagiarisms and imitations. The question, how fiir, when he compiled his pretended Scriptures, Mahomet was acquainted or unacquainted with the volume of holy writ, has been frequently agitated, in discussions on the Mahometan controversy ; and, as it would seem, to very little purpose. On this, as well as on many other particulars, in the history of Mahometanism, the Christian world might have been spared much profitless speculation, if, in- stead of loosely theorizing on the probable, or possible, amount of Mahomet's knowledge of the Bible, former inquirers had examined atten- tively, and accurately ascertained, the extent in which he has actually employed the materials of the Old and New Testaments, in the construc- tion of his Koran. On collating the text of the Koran with that of the Bible, with this view, from the general character of the correspondence there will be found to arise new proof and illustration of the just title of Mahometanism to the place assigned to it in these pages, as, at once, the offspring of the covenant with Ishmael, and the spurious counterpart of the religion of Isaac. From what VOL. II. c 18 MAHOMETANISM UNVEILED, [Sect. VIII. has been advanced by tlie generality of" writers, respecting the construction of the Koran, we are led to suppose that Maliomet, in the execu- tion of his task, proceeded wholly without order or design ; and that, in all his imitations and plagiarisms, he copied at random from the Old and New Testaments. This, however, is very far from being the case. On the contrary, the facts are altogether irreconcileable with such a supposition. It may be stated, as the result of an impartial scrutiny of its text, that, amidst all that apparent disorder and incoherence of which the Koran stands most justly accused, its author certainly went with great rcgidarity after a system of his own, in his use, or abuse, of the sacred Volume ; and that he has carried on his plagiarisms, within very defined limits. Indeed, that this is so, must be clear to every one who will be at the trouble to observe, how, together with its numerous petty thefts from both Testaments, the pseudo-bible of Mahome- tanism contains a set series of scriptural relations, on which it specially builds its teaching ; and te which it constantly recurs, for the proof and con- firmation of its doctrines. These favourite autliorities of the Koran are, the stories of Adam *, of Noah, of Abraham, of • For Mahomet's account of the fall of our first parents, see Koran, cbap. ii. vii. xx. Skct. VIII.] THE KORAN. 19 Lot, of Jacob, Joseph, and the Patriarchs, of Moses and Aaron, and of David and Solomon, out of the Old Testament ; and the accounts of Zacharias, of John the Baptist, of the Virgin Mary, and of Jesus Christ, from the New. Thus the story of Noah, first recited in the seventh, is repeated in the eleventh, the twenty-second, the twenty-sixth, the twenty-ninth, the fifty-fourth, and the seventy-first, chapters : that of Abraham, in the second, third, fourth, sixth, eleventh, fourteenth, fifteenth, twenty-first, twenty-ninth, thirty-seventh, fifty-first, and sixtieth : that of Lot, in the seventh, eleventh, fifteenth, and twenty-seventh : the history of Jacob and the twelve patriarchs, elsewhere repeatedly alluded to, is given at large in the twelfth chapter, enti- tled " Joseph :" the life and actions of Moses are recounted through the second, sixth, seventh, tenth, seventeenth, twentieth, twenty-seventh, and twenty-eighth chapters: Job is noticed in the twenty-first, and thirty-eighth : David and Solomon, in the second, the twenty-first, the twenty-seventh, the thirty-fourth, and the thirty- eighth. Besides the various incidental allusions, both to these, and to other Old Testament worthies. On the other hand, we find the narratives of the New Testament similarly introduced ; al- c 2 20 MAHOMETANISM UNVEILED. [Sect. VIIL though, as might be easily anticipated, its au- thority is far less frequently appealed to, and its facts are much more sparingly travestied. Thus, in the tliird and in the nineteenth chapters of the Koran, we have references to the histories of Zacharias, and of Saint John the Baptist: and in the second, third, fourth, fifth, ninth, nine- teenth, and forty-third, there occur mangled misrepresentations of the Gospel narratives, con- cerning the Virgin Mary, and Jesus Christ. The prominence here so palpably given to the Old Testament, in preference to the New, is only in unison with the whole character and constitution of Mahometanism, as hitherto de- lineated. For Mahomet originally announced his religion, as a revival of the religion of Abra- ham, or of the patriarchal fliith : and, conformably with this announcement, his pretended revelation is accordingly modelled after the Hebrew, rather than after the Evangelic, Scriptures. A specimen or two may suffice to exemplify the closeness with which the Koran sometimes follows the narratives of the Old Testament. " Onr messengers also came formerly unto Abraham with good tidings. They said. Peace be upon tliee ! And he answered. And on you be peace ! and he tarried not, but brought a roasted calf. And his wife, Sarah, was standing ?SCT. VIII.] THE KORAN. 21 by ; and she laughed : and we promised her . Isaac, and after Isaac, Jacob. She said, Alas ! shall I bear a son, who am old ; this my husband also being advanced in years ? Verily, this would be a wonderful thing. The angels answered, Dost thou wonder at the effect of the command of God ? The mercy of God, and his blessings, be upon you. And when his apprehension had departed from Abraham, and the good tidings of Isaac's birth had come unto him, he disputed with us concerning the people of Lot : for Abra- ham was a pitiful, compassionate, and devout person. The angels said unto him, O Abraham, abstain from this ; for now is the command of thy Lord come, to put their sentence in execu- tion, and an inevitable punishment is ready to fall upon them. And when our messengers came unto Lot, he was troubled for them ; and his arm was straitened concerning them ; and he said. This is a grievous day. And his people came unto him, rushing upon him : and they had formerly been guilty of wickedness. Lot said unto them, O my people, these my daugh- ters are more lawful for you : therefore fear God, and put me not to shame by wronging my guests. Is there not a man of prudence among you ? They answered. Thou knowest that we have no need of thy daughters ; and thou well knowest c 3 22 MAHOMETAN ISM UNVEILED. [Sect. VIII. what we would have. He said, If I had strength sufficient to oppose thee, or I could have re- course unto a ])owerful support, I would cer- tainly do it. The angels said, O Lot, verily we are the messengers of thy Lord ; they shall by no means come in unto thee. Go forth, there- fore, with thy family, in some part of the night, and let not any of you turn back : but as for thy wife, that shall happen unto her which shall happen unto them. Verily, the prediction of their punishment shall be fulfilled in the morning: Is not the morning near ?" * " And Abraham said, Verily, I am going unto my Lord, who will direct me. O Lord, grant me a righteous issue ! Wherefore we accpiainted him that he should have a son, who should be a meek youth. And when he had attained to years of discretion, and could join in acts of religion with him, Abraham said unto him, O my son, verily I saw in a dream that I should offer thee in sacrifice : consider therefore what thou art of opinion I should do. He answered, O my father, do what thou art commanded : thou shalt find me, if God please, a patient per- * Sale's Koran, vol. ii. pp. 27 — 29. It is remarkable, that the events related in this passage of the Koran, are related m the same order in which they occur, in the eighteenth and nineteenth chapters of Genesis : an ad- ditional presumption tliat, however distorted in passing through the hands Mahomet, tlie facts were borrowed immediate/^ from Scripture. Sect. VIIl.J THE KORAN. 23 son. And when they had submitted themselves to the divine will, and Abraham had laid his son prostrate on his tiice, we cried unto him, O Abraham, now hast thou verified the vision. Thus do we reward the righteous. Verily this was a manifest trial. And we ransomed him with a noble victim."* The following passage may serve to illustrate the kind of correspondence, which the Koran maintains with the historical relations of the New Testament. " Zacharias called on his Lord, and said. Lord, give me from thee a good offspring, for thou art the hearer of prayer. And the Angels called to him, while he stood praying in the chamber, saying. Verily, God promiseth thee a son, named John, who shall bear witness to the Word which cometh from God; an honourable person, chaste, and one of the righteous prophets. He an- swered, Lord, how shall I have a son, when old age hath overtaken me, and my wife is barren ? The Angel said. So God doth that which he pleaseth. Zacharias answered. Lord, give me a sign. The Angel said, Thy sign shall be, that thou shalt speak imto no man for three days, otherwise than by gesture. And when the Angels said, O Mary, verily, God hath chosen * Sale's Koran, chap, xxxvii. vol. ii. pp. 312, 313. c 4 24 MAIIOMETANISM UNVEILED. [Sect. VIII. thee, and hatli purified thee, and hath chosen thee above all tlie women of the world. When the Angels said, O Mary, verily, God sendeth thee good tidings, that thou shalt bear the Word, proceeding from himself; his name shall be Christ Jesus, the son of Mary ; honourable in this world, and in the world to come, and one of those who approach near to the presence of God : She answered. Lord, how shall I have a son, since a man hath not touched me? The Angel said. So God createth that which he pleaseth : when he decreeth a thing, he only saith unto it, Be, and it is : God shall teach him the Scripture, and wisdom, and the law, and the gospel ; and shall appoint him his apostle to the children of Israel." * But, besides agreements with the Old and New Testaments, of this palpable kind, the Koran betrays its obligations to both these sacred volumes, by numerous coincidences, more or less direct, with the sentiments, the images, and the phraseology of Scripture. The nature of * Sale's Koran, chap. iii. pp. 61 — 63. Amidst wilful perversions and variations, tlie preservation of Uie order and connection of the Gospel nar- rative is what particularly claims our observation. In the Koran, as in the New Testament, the vision of Zacharias, and tlie promise of John, duly precede the Annunciation to the blessed Virgin, and the miraculous conception and nativity of Jesus Christ. Tlie fact is important, as one among the many marks discernible in the Koran, of designed and studied plagiarism from Scripture. Sect. VIII.] THE KORAN. 25 the spurious analogy, between the pseudo-bible of Mahometanism, and our sacred books, may, in the next place, therefore, be illustrated by a selection of coincidences of this description : which shall be presented side by side with the parallel passages of Scripture. Bible. Koran. * Take heed that ye do not Make not your alms of your alms before men, to be none effect, by reproaching-, seen of them; otherwise ye or mischief; as he who lay- have no reward of your Fa- eth out what he hath, to ap- ther which is in heaven, f pear unto men to give alms. Vol. i. chap. ii. p. 50. f But when thou doest alms, If ye make your alms to let not thy left hand know appear, it is well ; but if ye what thy right hand doeth ; conceal them, and give them that thine alms may be in unto the poor, this will be secret : J and thy Father, better for you, J and will which seeth in secret, himself atone for your sins: and God shall reward thee openly. § is well informed of that which ye do. lb. p. 51. * Sale's translation. The passages which follow might have been easily arranged under heads : but it has been judged more simple and satisfactory, to take them nearly in the order in which they occur in the Koran. 1* " They who lay out their substance for the religion of God, and afterwards follow not what they have so laid out by reproaches or mischief, they shall have their reward with their Lord." Koran, lb. The more strongly marked plagiarisms may be sometimes completed from the con- text of the Koran : such passages shall be occasionally added at the foot of the page. X How marked the contrast, in this imitation, between the uncompro- mising spirit of the Gospel, and the accommodating facility of the Koran. Our Lord enjoins secrecy in well-doing : Mahomet leaves the choice of concealment, or publicity. § " They who distribute alms of their substance, night and day, in private and in public, shall have their reward with their Lord." Koran, ch. ii. p. 51. 26 MAIIOMETANISM UNVEILED. [Sect. VIII. Bible. Koran. And when thou prayest, The hypocrites act deceit- thou shalt not be as the hy- fully with God : when they pocrites : for they love to stand up to pray, they stand pray standing in the syna- carelessly, affecting to be gogues, and in the corners seen of men. Ch. iv. p. 122. of the streets, that they may be seen of men. St. Matth. vi. 1 — 5. Give alms of such things Bestow alms of the good as ye have. St. Luke, xi. 41. things which ye have gained. Ch.ii. p. 51. When thou makest a feast, The good that ye shall call the poor, the maimed, give in alms, shall redound the lame, the blind : and thou unto yourselves : and ye shall shalt be blessed : for they not give unless out of desire cannot recompense thee : of seeing the face of God : for thou shalt be recom- and what good things ye shall pensed at the resurrection of give in alms, it shall be re- thc just. lb. xiv. 13, l^. paid you : unto the poor, &c. Ch.ii. p. 51.* For the Lord giveth wisdom. God giveth wisdom unto Prov. ii. 6. whom he pleaseth : Wlioso is wise, will ponder Butnoncwill consider, except these things. Ps.cvii. 43. the wise in heart, lb. Unto you therefore which God is the patron of those believe he is precious : but who believe ; unto them which be diso- He shall lead them out of bedient — a stone of stumb- darkness into light : ling, and a rock of offence. But as to those who believe But ye are a chosen ge- not, ♦ Another passage, p. 52. of this context, plainly seems taken from oiir Lord's parable, St. Luke, xviii. 23 — 35. " If there be any debtor under a difficulty of paying his debt, let his creditor wait, till it be easy for him to do it : but if ye remit it as alms, it will be better for you, if ye knew it. And fear the day wherein ye shall return unto God : then shall every soul be paid what it hath gained." Sect. VIIL] THE KORAN. 27 Bible. Koran. neration — that ye should Their patrons are Tagut ; * show forth the praises of him They shall lead them from who hath called you out of the light into darkness, darkness into his marvellous lb. p. 48. f light. 1 Pet. ii. 7—9. Jesus of Nazareth, which We gave evident miracles was a prophet mighty in unto Jesus the son of Mary, deed and word, before God and strengthened him with and all the people. St. Luke, the Holy Spirit. Ch.ii. p. 17. xxiv. 19. Jesus of Nazareth, a man We gave unto Jesus the approved of God among you, son of Mary manifest signs, by miracles, and wonders, and strengthened him with and signs, which God did by the Holy Spirit, lb. p. 47. him. Acts, iii. 22. Consider the Apostle and Verily, Christ Jesus, the High Priest of our profes- son of Mary, is the Apostle sion, Christ Jesus. (Heb. iii. of God ; and his Word which 1.) And the Word was made he conveyed into Mary; and flesh. (St. John, i. 14.) I a spirit proceeding from him. proceeded forth and came Christ doth not proudly dis- from God. (lb. viii. 42.) dain to be a servant unto Christ took upon him the God. Ch. iv. p. 126. J form of a servant. (Philipp. ii. * i. e. Idols, or demons. f The reader will not fail to remark, that, with one exception, the above coincidences occur in the same chapter of the Koran ; and within the space of three or four pages. jf This passage of the Koran is compiled quite in the spirit of modern Unitarian ism. Like his heretical successors, those very passages of Scrip- ture which most strongly affirm the divinity of Christ, the Arabian im- postor perverts into denials of that divinity. The first chapter of Saint John, and the second of Philippians, adduced to prove that Christ is not God ! It should not be lost sight of whence the Unitarians of later times have stolen their boasted denomination : .iX^^^JI " The Unitarians," was, in every age, the favourite title of the Rloslcms. Sue Bohadin. Vit. Saladin. p. 104. 28 MAHOMETANISM UNVEILED. [Sect. VIII. Bible. Jesus said unto them, The blind receive their sight, and the lame walk ; the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear ; the dead are raised up. St. Luke, vii. 22. Who can forgive sins but God alone .^ lb. v. 21. Godliness is profitable unto all things : Koran. He [Jesus] shall say — I will heal him that hath been blind from his birth ; and the leper; and I will raise the dead.* Ch. iii. p. 64". Who forgivcth sins except God? lb. p. 79. And God gave them the reward of this world ; Having promise of the life And a glorious reward in the life to come : For God loveth the well- doers, f lb. p. 81. And this came to pass : That God might try what was in your breasts ; And might discern what was in your hearts. lb. p.83. Be ye not afraid of them ; that now is. And of that which is to come. 1 Tim. iv. 8. I the Lord search the heart ; I try the reins. Jer.xvii. 10. Be not afraid of them that kill the body ; But fear Him, which hath power to cast into hell. St. Luke, xii. 4, 5. He that receiveth me, rc- ceiveth Him that sent me. St. Matt. x. 40. Such were some of you : but ye are sanctified by the Spirit of our God. ICor. vi. IL These sinners against their Whoso conimittcth wicked- own souls. Num.xvi. 38. ness,comniittctli it against his own soul. lb. p. ] 16. * These scriptural signs are adulterated in the Koran, by the ridiculous legend of the creation of a bird from clay, t " For God loveth a cheerful giver." 2 Cor. ix. 7. But fear me, if ye be true believers. lb. p. 87. Whoever obeycth the apostle, obeyeth (iod. Ch. iv. p. 109. Such have ye formerlj'^ been : but God hath been gracious unto you. lb. p. 113. Sect. VIII.] THE KORAN. 29 Bible. For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the hea- venly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, and have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, if they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance. Heb.vi. 4 — 6. Think not to say within yourselves. We have Abra- ham to our Father : for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham. St. Matth. iii. 9. But woe unto you Scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites 1 for ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men. Woe unto you, Scribes and Pha- risees, hypocrites ! for ye de- vour widows' houses : there- fore ye shall receive the greater damnation, St. Matth. xxiii. 13, 14. Koran. Moreover, they who be- lieved, and afterwards became infidels, and then believed again, and after that disbe- lieved, and increased in infi- delity, God will by no means forgive them, nor direct them into the right way. lb. p. 121, If He pleaseth, he will take you away, O men, and will produce others in your stead : for God is able to do this. lb. p. 120. Because of the iniquity of those who judaize, and be- cause they shut out many from the way of God, and have taken usury, which was forbidden them by the law, and devoured man's sub- stance vainly ; we have pre- pared for such of them as are unbelievers, a painful punish- ment, lb. p. 125.* * It is the Jews who are spoken of in the above contexts ; and it is very remarkable, with how much precision the denunciations of Scripture are applied to them. Among other accusations here preferred against them, it is said, " Tliey have made void their covenant ; and have not believed in the signs of God ; and have slain the prophets unjustly; and have said, our hearts are uncircumcised," &c. p. 123, 124. Allusions applied so correctly and in point, as to make it almost clear that they were taken immediately from Scripture. 30 MAHOMETANISM UNVEILED. [Sect. VIII. Bible. Harden not your hearts, as in the day of temptation in the wilderness. Forty years long was I grieved with this generation. Psalm xcv. 8.10. Thou shalt give life for life, e)'e for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot, burning for burning, wound for wound, stripe for stripe. Exod. xxi. 23. 25. But their minds were blind- ed : for until this day re- maineth the same veil un- taken away, in the reading of the Old Testament. But even unto this day, when Moses is read, the veil is upon their heart. 2Cor.iii. 14, 15. They said therefore unto him, "What sign shewest thou Koran. We have cursed them, and hardened their hearts. Ve- rily the land shall be forbid- den them forty years. Ch.v. p. 132. 1 34-. We have therein [in the Law] commanded them, that they should give life for life, and eye for eye, and nose for nose, and ear for ear, and tooth for tooth, and that wounds should also be pu- nished by retaliation.* lb. p. 139, 140. There is of them who hearkeneth unto thee, when thou readest the Koran ; but we have cast veils over their hearts, that they should not understand it, and a deafness in their ears. Ch.vi. p. 160. The infidels say, unless some sign be sent down unto * Besides verbal variations, Mahomet adds a precept not contained in the Pentateuch, " But whoever should remit it as ahns, it should be ac- cepted as an atonement for him." The addition was evidently made witli design ; and, it would seem, with a benevolent purpose : namely, by thus softening down the Jewish law of retaliation, to abate the vindictive spirit of retaliation among the Arabs. The mention of jimuids may show iliat INIahomet followed Exodus, rather than the parallel places of Leviticus or Deuteronomy. Sect. VIII.] THE KORAN. 31 Bible. then, that we may see, and believe thee?* St.Johnvi. 30. He who hath clean hands, and a pure heart. Ps.xxiv. 4. For it seemed good to the Holy Ghost, and to us, to lay upon you no greater bur- den than these necessary things f; that ye abstain from meats offered to idols, and from blood, and from things strangled. Acts,xv. 28,29. In the beginning God created the heaven, and the earth. And God said, Let there be light : and there was light. Gen. i. 1, 3. Thy word is truth. St. John, xvii. 17« Atid the seventh ans;el sound- ed ; and there were great voices in heaven, saying. The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ. Rev.xi. 15. Koran. him from his Lord, we will not believe.* lb. p. 162. Leave both the outside of iniquity, and the inside there- of, lb. p. 177. I find not in that which hath been revealed unto me, any thing forbidden unto the eater, except that which dieth of itself, or blood poured forth, or swine's flesh ; or that which is profane, having been slain in the name of some other than God. lb. p. 182. It is He who hath created the heavens, and the earth. And whenever he saith unto a thing. Be, it is. His word is the truth. And His will be the king- dom, on the day whereon the trumpet shall be sounded. lb. p. 168. * In Mahomet's day, as in our Lord's, the infatuated Jews, in parti- cular, continued to " seek after a sign !" I " O Lord, lay not on us a burthen like that which thou hast laid on those who have been before us," (i. e. the Jews.) Koran, ch. iii. ad fin, where, as above, the allusion is to prohibited meats. See Mr. Sale's note c. 32 MAHOMETANISfll UNVEILED. [Sect. VIII. Bible. In six days the Lord made heaven and earth. Exod. xx. 11. And God made two great lights ; the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night : He made the stars also. Gen. i. 16. It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God. St.Matth.xix. 24-. And he [Moses] was there with the Lord forty days and forty nights ; he did neither eat bread nor drink water : and he wrote upon the tables the words of the covenant, the ten commandments. Exod. xxxiv. 28. And he [Moses] said, I beseech thee, shew me thy glory. And He [the Lord] said, Thou canst not see my face ; for there shall no man see me, and live. Exod.xxxiii. 18.20. And He said unto Moses, Come up unto the Lord, thou Koran. God created the heavens and the earth in six days : He causeth the night to co- ver the day ; it succeedeth the same swiftly : He also created the sun, and the moon, and the stars. Ch. vii. p. 19 k* The gates of heaven shall not be opened unto them, neither shall they enter into paradise, until a camel pass through the eye of a needle, lb. p. 191, 192. And we appointed unto Moses a fast, before we gave him the law ; and the stated time of his Lord was fulfilled in forty nights. And we wrote for him on the tables an admonition concerning every matter, and a decision in every case. lb. p. 210,211. And when Moses came at our appointed time, and his Lord spake unto him, he said, O Lord ! shew me thy glory, that I may behold thee. God answered. Thou shalt in no wise behold me. lb. p. 210. And Moses chose out of his people seventy men, to • The account of the Fall, in this chapter, is imitated very closely after the narrative in Genesis. See p. 188, 189. Sect, VIII.] THK KORAN. 33 Bible. Koran. and Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, go up with him to the moun- and seventy of the elders of tain at the time appointed by Israel. Exod. xxiv. 1. us. lb. p. 213. Come unto me, all ye that And he [Mahomet] will labour and are heav'y laden, ease them of their heavy bur- Take my yoke upon you. den, and of the yokes which For my yoke is easy, and my were upon them. lb. p. 214. burden is light. St. Matth.xi. 28—30. The Lord shall bring a And remember when thy nation against thee from far. Lord declared, that he would from the end of the earth, surely send against the Jews, as swift as the eagle flieth : — until the day of resurrection, a nation of fierce counten- some nation who should afflict ance, which shall not regard them with a grievous oppres- the person of the old, nor sion : for thy Lord is swift in show favour to the young, punishing : — and we dis- — And the Lord shall scat- persed them among the na- ter thee among all people, tions of the earth. lb. p. 216. from the one end of the earth even unto the other. Deut. xxviii. 49, 50. 64. If any man come to me. If your fathers, and your and hate not his father, and sons, and your brethren, and mother, and wife, and chil- your wives, and your rela- dren, and brethren, and sis- tions, and your substance ters, yea, and his own life which ye have acquired, and also, he cannot be my dis- your merchandize which ye ciple. And whosoever doth apprehend may not be sold not bear his cross, and come off, and your dwellings after me, cannot be my dis- wherein ye delight, be more ciple. St. Luke, xiv. 26, 27. dear unto you than God, and Compare St. Mark, x. 21, 22. his apostle, and the advance- ment of his religion, &c. Ch.ix. p. 241. VOL. II. D 34. MAHOMETANISM UNVEILED. [Sect. VIII. Bible. And when he [Moses] was full forty years old, it came into his heart to visit his brethren the children of Is- rael. Acts, vii. 23. And in the latter time of their kingdom, when the transgressors are come to the full, a king of fierce coun- tenance, and understanding dark sentences, shall stand up. Dan. viii. 23. I will open my mouth in parables ; I will utter things which have been kept secret from the foundation of the world. St. Matth. xiii, 35. My servant Moses is not so : — With him will I speak mouth to mouth — and not in dark speeches. Num.xii. 8. For sin shall not have do- minion over you : For ye are not under the law, but under grace. Rom. vi. 14-. cf. 2, 3. 15. Who maketh the dumb, or Koran. I have already dwelt among you to the age of forty years, before I received it [the Ko- ran]. Do ye, therefore, not understand ? Vol. ii. ch. x. p.2. According to thy dream, shall thy Lord chuse thee, and teach thee the interpre- tation of dark sayings. We taught him the inter- pretation of dark sayings : but the greater part of men do not understand. O Lord, thou hast given me a part of the kingdom ; and hast taught me the in- terpretation of dark sayings. This is a secret history, which we reveal unto thee, O Mohammed. * lb. ch.xii. pp. 35. 38. 52. Verily God will not change his grace which is in men, until they change the dispo- sition in their souls, by sin. Ch. xiii. p. 55. Shall the blind and the * For the application of Dan. viii. 2;?, to Mahomet, sec Vol. i. pp. ISI, 182. The prediction seems specially appropriated to himself, in the above passage of the Koran. The understanding of dark sayings, we see, was a distinguishing mark of the prophetic characters and offices of Christ and Moses : to lay claim to this distinction, therefore, was essential to the pre- ensions of the Arabian antichrist. Sect. Vlir.] THE KORAN. 35 Bible. deaf, or the seeing, or the blind? Exod. iv. 11. For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul ? St. Matth. xvi. 26. Wlio is wise, and he shall understand these things ? Prudent, and he shall know them ? Hos. xiv. 9. Shall he break the coven- ant, and be delivered ? Ezek. xvii. 15. ^V^lat God hath joined to- gether, let not man put asun- der. St. Matth. xix. 6. Give alms of such things as ye have. St. Luke, xi. 41. Be not overcome of evil ; but overcome evil with good, Rom. xii. 21. And so, after he had pa- tiently endured, he obtained the promises. Heb. vi. 15. Koran. seeing be esteemed equal ? lb. p. 57. Those who obey him not, although they were possessed of whatever is in the whole earth, and as much more, they would give it all for their ransom. lb. Shall he therefore, who knoweth that what hath been sent down unto thee from thy Lord is truth, be reward- ed as he who is blind ? The prudent only will consider ; who fulfil the covenant of their God, and break not their contract ; and who join that which God hath com- manded to be joined; and who fear their Lord, and dread an ill account ; and who persevere out of a sin- cere desire to please their Lord ; and observe the stated times of prayer ; and give alms out of what we have bestowed on them, in secret and openly ; and who turn away evil with good. lb. Peace be upon you, be- cause ye have endured with patience ; but as for those who violate the covenant of D 2 36 MAHOMETANISM UNVEILED. [Sect. VIII. Bible. What God hatli joined to- gether, let not man put asun- der. St. Mark, x. 9. If ye shall say unto this mountain. Be thou removed ; it sliall be done. St. Matth. xxi. 21. The Gentiles, unto whom now I send thee, to open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light. Acts, xxvi. 18. Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world. 2 Tim. iv. 10. cf. ii. 4. and St. Luke, viii. 14. xxi. 34. Wilt thou not cease to pervert the right ways of the Lord ? Acts, xiii. 10. They have made them crook- ed paths. Isaiah, lix. 8. Exod. iii, iv. &c. passim. See St. Mark, iv. 31—34. And he shall be like a tree, planted by the rivers of water, Koran. God ; and who cut in sunder that which God hath com- manded to be joined.* lb. p. 58. Though a Koran were re- vealed, by which mountains should be removed. lb. This book have we sent down unto thee, that thou mayest lead men forth from darkness into light. Ch. xiv. ad init. Woe be to the infidels, — who love the present life above that which is to come ; and turn men aside from tlie way of God, and seek to render it crooked. lb. ib. We formerly sent Moses with our signs, and com- manded him, saying, Lead forth thy people from dark- ness into light. Ib. p. G2. Dost thou not see how God putteth forth a parable, re- presenting a good word as a * This favourite common-place of the Koran is manifestly borrowed from our Lord's words, St. Matth. xix. G. St. Mark, x. 11. ; and inva- riably misapplied. Sec Sale's Koran, vol. ii. p, 57. note b. To divert the language of Scripture from its original sense was tlie constant custom, or artifice, of Malioniet. Sect. VI II. J THE KORAN. 37 'Bible. that bringeth fortli liis fruit in his season. Ps. i. 3. cf. Ixxx. 8—11. Who changed the truth of God into a Jie. Rom. i. 25. The ungodly prosper in the world. When I thought to know this, it was too painful for me: until I went into the sanctuary of God ; then understood I their end. Ps.lxxiii. 12, 16, 17. For, behold, I create new heavens, and a new earth. Isaiah, Ixv. 17. Look for new heavens, and a new earth. 2 Pet. iii. 13. I will cause you to come up out of your graves. Ezek. xxxvii. 12. When shall I come and appear before God .^ Ps. xlii. 2. And every man shall receive his own reward, ac- cording to his own labour. 1 Cor. iii. 8. And they laughed him to scorn. St. Matth. ix. 24. cf. 2 Chron. xxx. 10. Neh. ii. 19. Job, xii. 4.* Koran. good tree, whose root is firmly fixed in the earth, and whose branches reach unto heaven ; which bringeth forth its fruit in all seasons. lb. p: 65. Who have changed the grace of God to infidelity. lb. Think not, O Prophet, that God is regardless of what the ungodly do. He only deferreth their punishment unto the day, &c. lb. pp. 67, 68. The day will come, when the earth shall be changed into another earth, and the heavens into other heavens ; and men shall come forth from their graves, to appear before the only, the mighty God. That God may reward every soul, according to what it shall have deserved. lb. pp. 68, 69. There came no apostle unto them, but they laughed him to scorn.* Ch.xv. p. 70. * The references in the text mark with what accuracy the Koran makes tliis assertion. D 3 38 MAHOMETANISM UNVEILED. [Sect. VIII. Bible. I was envious at the fool- ish, When I saw the prosperity of the wicked, Thus my heart was grieved. Ps. Ixxiii. 21. cf. xxxvii. 1. xlix. 16. I will instruct thee, and teach thee in the way which thou shall go. Ps. xxxii. 8. Rejoice, O young man, in thy youth, and let thy heart, &c. ; but know thou that, for all these things, God will bring thee into judgment. Eccl. xi. 9. If thou. Lord, shouldest mark iniquities, O Lord, who shall stand ? Ps. cxxx. 3. In a moment, in the twink- ling of an eye, at the last trump. 1 Cor. xv. 52. He that feareth Him, and workcth righteousness, is ac- cepted with Him. Acts, x. 36. For this people's heart is waxed gross ; And their ears are dull of hearing ; And their eyes they have closed. St. Matth. xiii. 15. Accorduig to their deeds, Koran. Cast not thine eyes on the good things which we have bestowed on several of the unbelievers, so as to covet the same ; neither be thou grieved on their account, lb. p. 74". It appertaineth unto God, to instruct men in the right way. Ch. xvi. p. 76. Delight yourselves in the enjoyments of this life; But hereafter shall ye know, that ye cannot escape the divine vengeance. lb. p. 82. If God should punish men for their iniquity, He would not leave on the earth any moving thing. lb. The business of the last hour shall be only as the twinkling of an eye. lb. p. 85. Whoso worketh righteous- ness, and is a true believer, we will surely raise him to a happy life. lb. p. 88. These are they,whose hearts. and hearing, and sight, God hath sealed up. lb. p. 92. Every soul shall be repaid Skct.VIII.] THE KORAN. 39 Bible. accordingly will lie repay. Isaiah, lix. 18. cf. Prov. xiii. 21. And the times of this ig- norance God winked at ; but now commandeth all men, every where, to repent. Acts, xvii. 30. The merciful doeth good to his own soul : But he that is cruel, trou- bleth his own flesh. Prov. xi. 17- cf. viii. 36. The son shall not bear the iniquity of the father ; Neither shall the father bear the iniquity of the son : The righteousness of the righteous shall be upon him ; And the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon him. Ezek. xviii. 20. Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God ; and Him only shalt thou serve. St. Matth. iv. 10. Children, obey you parents in the Lord : for this is right. Honour thy father and mo- ther (which is the first com- mandment with promise), that it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth. Ephes.vi. 1. 3. D Koran. that which it shall have wrought. lb. ib. Moreover thy Lord will be favourable unto those who do evil through ignorance; and afterwards repent and amend. Ib. p. 93. If ye do well, ye will do well to your own souls ; And if ye do evil, ye will doit unto the same. Ch. xvii. p. 96. He who shall be rightly directed, shall be directed to the advantage only of his own soul ; And he who shall err, shall err only against the same: Neither shall any laden soul be charged with the burden of another. Ib. p.98. Thy Lord hath commanded that ye worship none besides Him : and that ye shew kind- ness unto your parents, whe- ther the one of them, or both of them, attain to old age with thee. Wherefore, sai/ not unto tlietn, Fy on you ! neither rejoroach them, but speak respectfully unto them ; and submit to behave humbly towards them, out of tender 4 40 MAHOMETANISM UNVEILED. [Sect. VIII. BiBLK. For God commanded, say- ing, Honour thy father and mother : and, He that curseth father or mother, d:c. St. Math, XV. 4. The heavens declare the glory of God ; And the firmament showeth his handy-work. There is no speech nor lan- guage, Where their voice is not heard. Ps. xix. 1. 3. Moses put a vail over his face, that the children of Israel could not stedfastly look: — but their minds were blinded : for until this day remaineth the same vail un- taken away, in the reading of the Old Testament. — But, when Moses is read, the vail is upon their hearts. 2 Cor. iii. 13—15. But some man will say, How are the dead raised up? And with what body do they come ? 1 Cor. xv. 35. Go to now, ye that say, To-day, or to-morrow we Koran. affection, and say, O Lord, have mercy on them both ! as they nursed me when I was little. lb. p. 99. The seven heavens praise Him, and the earth, and all who are therein ; neither is there any thing which doth not celebrate His praise ; But ye understand not their celebration thereof. lb. p. 101. When thou readest the Koran, we place between thee, and those who believe not in the life to come, a dark veil : and we put co- verings over their hearts, lest they should understand it ; and in their ears, thickness of hearing.* lb. They disbelieve in our signs, and say, When we shall have been reduced to bones and dust, shall we surely be raised new creatures ? lb. p. 109. Say not of any matter, I will surely do this to-mor- • Verily we have cast veils over tlieir hearts, lest they should understand the Koran j and into tlieir cars, thickness of hearing." Koran, ch. xviii. p. 121. Sect.VIII.J THE KORAN. 41 Bible. will go, cScc. For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this. St. James, iv. 13. 15. For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book : and if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away, &c. Rev. xxii. 18, 19. Isaiah, v. St. Matth. xxi. 33. St. Mark, xii. St. Luke, XX. 9. The days of man are but as grass : For he flourisheth as a flower of the field. Ps. ciii. 15. In the morning it is green, and groweth up : But in the evening it is cut down, dried up, and withered. Vs. xc. 6. Koran. row ; unless thou add, if God please. Ch. xviii. p. 116. Read that which hath been revealed unto thee, of the book of thy Lord, without presuming to make any change therein : there is none who hath power to change His words ; and thou shalt not find any to fly to, besides Him, if thou attempt it. lb. pp.116, 117. And propound unto them as a parable two men ; on the one of whom we had bestowed two vineyards, and had sur- rounded them with palm trees, and had caused corn to grow between them. Each of the gardens brought forth its fruit every season, and failed not. lb. pp. 117, 118. And propound to them a similitude of the present life. It is like water which we send down from heaven ; and the herb of the earth is mixed therewith ; and after it hath been green and flou- rishing, in the morning it beconieth dry stubble, which 42 MAHOMETANISM UNVEILED. [Sect. VIII. Bible. Like the chatt', which the wind scattereth away From the face of the earth. Ps.i. 4. And every island fled away; And the mountains were not found. Isaiah, liv. 10. And they shall gather to- gether his elect, From the four winds ; From one end of heaven to the other. St. Matth. xxiv. 31. For what if some did not believe ? Shall their un- belief make the faith of God without effect ? Rom. iii. 3. That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth. Philipp. ii. 10. Till thou return unto the ground, for out of it wast thou taken : For dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return. Gen. iii. 19. Thou hast beset me behind and before. Such knowledge is too won- derful for me ; Koran. the winds scatter abroad. lb. p. 119. On a certain day, we will cause the mountains to pass away : and we will gather mankind together ; and we will not leave any one of them behind. And they shall be set before thy Lord. lb. Those who believe not, dispute with vain arguments, that they may thereby ren- der the truth of no effect, lb. pp.120, 121. The Merciful sitteth on his throne : unto him belong- eth whatsoever is in heaven, or on earth, and whatsoever is between them, and what- soever is under the earth. Ch.xx. p. 139. Out of the ground have we created you ; And to the same will we cause you to return. lb. p. 1 1'3. God knoweth that which is before them, and that which is behind them ; but they comprehend iK)t the Sect, VIII.] THE KORAN. 48 Bible. It is high, I cannot attain unto it. Ps. cxxxix. 5, 6. It is He That stretcheth out the hea- vens as a curtain ; And spreadeth them out, as a tent to dwell in. Is. xl. 22. Ye shall be as gods, know- ins iiood and evil. Gen.iii.5. Who have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil. Heb. v. 14. Praise the Lord from the earth, Mountains and all hills ; Creeping things, and flying fowl. Ps. cxlviii. 7. 9, 10. When I looked for good, then evil came unto me. The days of affliction pre- vented me. Job, XXX. 26, 27. Those that wait upon the Lord, They shall inherit the earth. Koran. same by their knowledge. lb. p. 149. And we made the heaven a roof well supported. lb. p. 155. We formerly gave unto Moses and Aaron the Law, being a distinction between good and evil. And we compelled the mountains to praise us, with David ; and the birds also. * Ch. xxi. p. 161. And remember Job, when he cried unto his Lord, say- ing, Verily evil hath afflicted me. lb. p. 162. And now have we written in the Psalms, after the pro- mulgation of the Law, that * " Mohammed, it seems, taking the visions of the Talmudists for truth, believed that when David was fatigued with singing psalms, the mountains, birds, and other parts of the creation, both animate and inanimate, relieved him in chanting the divine praises. This consequence the Jeivs draw from the words of the Psalmist, when he calls on the several parts of nature to join with him in celebrating the praise of God: [see Ps. ciii. cxlviii.] it beinf^ their perverse custom to expound passages in the most literal man- ner, which cannot bear a literal sense without a manifest absurdity ; and, on the contrary, to turn the plainest passages into allegorical fancies." Sale's Koran, ut supr. Translator's note h. 44 MAHOMETANISM UNVEILED. [Sect. VIII. Bible. The righteous shall inherit the land. Ps. xxxvii. 9. 29. cf. 3. 11.22. 34<. Let us hold fast the pro- fession of our faith, without wavering. Heb. x. 23. Make the heart of this peo- ple fat ; And make their ears heavy. Isaiah, vi. 10. The god of this world hath blinded the minds of them who believe not. 2 Cor. iv. 4. One day is with the Lord as a thousand years ; And a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slack con- cerning his promise, as men count slackness; but is long su^bring to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. But the day of the Lord will come, as a thief in the night. 2 Pet. iii. 8—10. * KOUAN. my servants, the righteous, shall inherit the earth. lb. p. 165. There are some men who serve God in a wavering manner. Ch. xxii. p. 167. And have they not hearts to understand with ? Or ears to hear with ? Surely as to these things their eyes are not blind ; But the hearts are blind, which are in their breasts. lb. p. 173. Verily one day with thy Lord is as a thousand years, of those which ye compute. lb. p. 174. They will urge thee to hasten the threatened pu- nishment : but God will not fail to perform what he hath threatened. Unto how many cities have I granted respite, though they were wicked ? yet af- terwards I chastised them : and unto me shall they come to be judged at the last day. lb. pp. 173, 174. * * "Mr. Sale, who scarcely ever verifies, or even adverts to, the passages of Scripture plagiarized from in the Koran, has marked the imitation in Sect. VIII.] THE KORAN. 45 Bible. The Lord is the God of truth. Jer. x. 10. Not rendering evil for evil : but contrariwise blessing. 1 Pet. iii. 9. cf. Rom. xii. 17. 20. The hearing ear, and the seeing eye, the Lord hath made even both of them. Prov. XX. 12. Lo, I have given thee a wise and an understanding heart. 1 Kings, iii. 12. And Jesus went up to Je- rusalem, and found in the temple those that sold oxen, and sheep, and doves : — And said unto them that sold doves, Take these things hence : make not my Father's house, an house of mer- chandize. And his disciples remembered that it was writ- ten, The zeal of thine house hath eaten me up. St. John, ii. 13—17. And my reward is with me, to give every man ac- cording as his work shall be. Rev.xxii. 12. Koran. God is truth. lb. p. 175. Turn aside evil, with that which is better. lb. p. 184. It is God who hath created in you the senses of hearing and of sight, that ye may perceive our judgments ; and hearts, that ye may seriously consider them. lb. p. 183. In the houses which God hath permitted to be raised, and that his name be com- memorated therein, men ce- lebrate his praise in the same morning and evening, whom neither merchandizing, nor selling, diverteth from the remembering of God. Ch. xxiv. p. 195. That God may recompense them according to the ut- most merit of what they shall have wrought ; this instance, by a reference to 2 Pet. iii. 8. It is, however, by the con- text, vv. 9, 10, that the plagiarism may he 2)rovcd. Tlie correspondence bears every mark of studied imitation. 46 MAHOMETANISM UNVEILED. [Sect. VIII. Bible. Do good, and your reward shall be great. St. Luke, vi. 35. Good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. lb. 38. Jesus said unto him. Go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor; — and come and follow me. But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrow- ful : for he had great posses- sions. St. Matth. xix. 21 , 22. And he said unto them. Go ye into all the world ; and preach the Gospel to every creature. St. Mark, xvi. 15. The Son of man came eating and drinking ; and they say, Behold a man glut- tonous, and a wine-bibber. St. Matth. xi. 19. Compare St. Luke, xiii. 26. For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the Archangel, and with the trump of God ; and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then, we which are alive and remain, shall be caught up Koran. And may add unto them, of His abundance, a more excellent reward : For God bestoweth on whom he pleaseth, without measure. lb. They swear by God, with a most solemn oath, that, if thou [Mahomet] command- est them, they will go forth from their houses and pos- sessions. Say, Swear not to a falsehood : obedience is more requisite. lb. p. 197. Blessed be he who hath revealed the Forkan unto his servant, that he may be a preacher unto all creatures. Ch. XXV. ad init. And they say. What kind of Apostle is this ? He eat- eth food, and walketh in the streets, as we do. Ch. xxv. p. 201. On that day, the heaven shall be cloven in sunder by the clouds ; and the Angels shall be sent down, Sect, VIII.] THE KORAN. 47 Bible. together with them, in the clouds. 1 Thess. iv. 16, 17. Doth a fountain send forth at the same place, sweet wa- ter and bitter ? St. James, iii. 11. I am He that liveth, and was dead ; and, behold, I am alive for evermore. Rev. i. 18. Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins maybe blotted out. Acts, iii. 19. Turn from these vanities unto the living God, which made heaven, and earth, the sea, and all things that are therein : He gave us rain from Hea- ven, and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness. Acts, xiv. 15. 17. Verily, verily, the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God. St. John, v. 25. He maketh both the deaf to hear, and the dumb to speak. St. Mark,vii. 37. Koran. descending visibly therein. lb. p. 203. It is He who hath let loose the two seas ; This fresh and sweet, and that salt and bitter. lb. p.207. And do thou trust in Him, who liveth, and dieth not. lb. And whoever repenteth, and doth that which is right, verily he turneth unto God with an acceptable conver- sion, lb. p. 208. Is God more worthy, or the false gods which they associate with him ? Is not He to be preferred, who hath created the heavens, and the earth ; and sendeth down rain for you from heaven, whereby we cause delicious groves to spring up .'* Ch. xxvii. p. 228. Verily thou shalt not make the dead to hear ; Neither shalt thou make the deaf to hear thy call ; 48 MAHOMETANISM UNVEILED. [Sect. VIII. Bible. A light of the Gentiles, to open the blind eyes. Is. xlii. 6,7. Who hath called you out of darkness into his mar- vellous light. 1 Pet. ii. 9. Call ye on the name of your gods, and I will call on the name of the Lord. And they cried aloud. And it came to pass, that there was neither voice, nor any to answer. 1 Kings, xviii. 24. 29. The same is he that hear- eth the word, and anon with joy recfeiveth it: but, when tribulation, or persecution, ariseth because of the word, by and by he is oifended. St.Matth. xiii. 20, 21. He that, by usury and unjust gain, increaseth his sub" stance ; He shall gather it for him that will pity the poor. Prov. xxviii. 8. And every one that hath Koran. Neither shalt thou direct the blind to extricate them- selves out of their error.* lb. p. 230. And it shall be said unto the idolaters, Call now upon those whom ye associated with God : and they shall call upon them, but they shall not answer. Ch. xxviii. p. 24-1. There are some men who say, We believe in God ; but when such an one is afflicted for God's sake, he esteemeth the persecution of men to be as grievous, as the punish- ment of God. Ch. xxix. p. 246. Wliatever ye shall give in usury, to be an increase of men's substance, Shall not be increased by the blessing of God : But for whatever ye shall give in alms, for God's sake. * How ample the confession in these words, of the inferioritj- of the Koran to the Gospel ; of Mahomet to Christ ! The spurious messiah here disclaims all exercise of those powers, which were to be at once the sign, and triumph, of the true Messiah. " Out of thine own mouth will I judge thee, thou wicked servant !" Sect. VIII.] THE KORAN. 49 Koran. Ye shall receive a twofold reward. * Ch. xxx, p. 258. Bible. forsaken houses, and lands, for my name-sake, shall re- ceive an hundred-fold. * St. Matth. xix. 29. Out of weakness were made stronj^. Heb. xi. 34. He weakened my strength in the way. Ps. cii. 23. He weakeneth the strength of the mighty. Job, xii. 21. If ye have faith as a grain of mustard-seed, ye shall say ther good or bad, though it It is God who created you in weakness ; And after weakness hath given you strength ; And after strength, he will again reduce you to weak- ness, lb. Verily every matter, whe- unto this mountain, Remove hence unto yonder place ; and it shall remove. St. Matth. xvii. 20. In six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is ; and rested the seventh day. Exod. XX. 11. And God saw every thing that he had made, and, be- be of the weight of a grain of mustard-seed, and be hid- den in a rock, God will bring the same to light. Ch. xxxi. pp. 263, 264. It is God who hath created the heavens and the earth, and whatever is between them in six days ; and then ascended his throne. It is he who hath made every thing which he created. hold, it was very good. Gen. exceeding good. Ch. xxxii. i. 31. p. 266, 267. " The disciples came unto Men will ask thee con- him privately, saying. Tell corning the approach of the us, when shall these things last hour : be ? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of • The " good measure" of the Gospel stands suitably contrasted with the niggardly pittance of the Koran ; the " hundred-fold," with the " two- fold," reward. VOL. II. E 50 MAH03IETANISM UNVEILED. [Sf.ct. VIII. Bible. the end of" tlie world ? Jesus answered and said unto them, Of that day and hour know- eth no man, no, not the an- gels of heaven, but my Fa- ther only. St. Matth. xxiv. 3, 4. 36. Praise the Lord from the earth. Mountains, and all hills : Creeping things, and flying fowl. Ps.cxlviii. 7. 9, 10. If I do this thing willingly, I have a reward : — What is my reward then ? Verily, that, when I preach the Gos- pel, I may make the gospel of Christ without charge. 1 Cor. ix. 17. Thy prayers and thine alms are come up for a me- morial before God. Acts, X. 4-. Bear ye one another's bur- dens. But let every man prove his own work; and then shall he have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another. For every man Koran. answer ; Verily, the knowledge thereof is with God alone. Ch. xxxiii. p. 284. We heretofore bestowed on David, excellence from us : And we said, O mountains sing alternate praises with him ; And we obliged the birds also to join therein*: Ch. xxxiv. p. 287. I ask not any reward for my preaching ; it is your own, either to give or not : my reward is to be expected from God alone. lb. p. 294. Unto Him ascendeth the good speech ; And the righteous work will he exalt. Ch. xxxv. p. 296. A burdened soul shall not bear the burden of another : and if a heavy burdened soul call on another to bear part of its burden, no part thereof shall be borne by the person * See ch. xxi. p. IGJ. Translator's note h. Sect. VIII.] THE KORAN. 51 Bible. shall bear his own burden. Gal. vi. 2. 4, 5. 8ell that ye have, and give alms ; provide yourselves bags which wax not old, a treasure in the heavens that faileth not. St. Luke,xii. 33. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes ; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying. Rev. xxi. 4. For he looked for a city W'hich hath foundations, whose builder — is God. Heb. xi. 10. They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more ; Neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat. Rev. vii. 16. Then pleased it the Apos- tles — to send to Antioch — Judas surnamed Barsabas, and Silas. Acts, xv. 22. But when Peter was come to Antioch. Gal.ii. 11. The earth, which drinketh E Koran. who shall be called on. Ch. xxxv. p. 297. Verily, they who give alms out of what we have be- stowed on them, both in secret and openly, hope for a mer- chandize which shall not perish. lb. p. 298. And they [the blessed] shall say, Praise be unto God, who hath taken away sorrow from us : Who hath caused us to take up our rest, in a dwell- ing of eternal stability, "V\^ierein no labour shall touch us ; neither shall any weariness affect us. lb. p. 299. Propound unto them as an example the inhabitants of the city of Antioch, when the Apostles of Jesus came thereto : when we sent unto them two of the said Apos- tles ; but they charged them with imposture. Wherefore we strengthened them with a third. Ch. xxxvi. pp.301, 302, One sign of the rcsurrec- o 52 MAIIOMETANISM UNVEILED. [Sect. VIII, Bible. in the rain that conieth oft upon it, and bringeth forth herbs meet for them by whom it is dressed, receiveth bless- ing from God. Heb. vi. 7. And when he was demand- ed of the Pliarisees, when the kingdom of God should come, he answered : [the son of man shall send his angels, with a great sound of a trum- pet. St. Matt.xxiv. 31.] In that day, he which shall be on the house-top, and his stuff, in the house, let him not come down to take it away : and he that is in the field, let him likewise not re- turn back. St. Luke, xvii. 20. 31. All that are in the graves shall hear his voice, and shall come forth. St. John, v. 2^, 29. And He said unto me, Son of man, can these bones live ? Thus saith the Lord (Jod unto these bones, Behold, I will cause breath to enter into you, and ye shall live. Ezek. xxxvii. 3. 5. The Lord appeared to Abram, and said unto hnn, Koran. tion unto them is the dead earth : we quicken the same by the rain ; and produce thereout various sorts of grain, of which they eat. Ch.xxxvi.pp. 303, 304.. And they say, When will this promise of the resurrec- tion be fulfilled, if ye speak truth ? They only wait for one sounding of the trumpet, which shall overtake them while they are disputing to- gether ; and they shall not have time to make any dis- position of their effects, nei- ther shall they return to their family. And the trumpet shall be sounded again ; and behold, they shall come forth from their graves, and hasten unto their Lord. lb. p. 305. He saith, Who shall restore bones to life, when they are rotten ? Answer, He shall restore them to life, who produced them the first time, lb. 307. Abraham also was of his [Noah's] religion : when he Sect. VIII.] THE KORAN. 53 Bible. Walk before me, and be thou perfect. Gen. xvii. 1. Whatsoever good thing any man doeth, the same shall he receive of the Lord. St. James, vi. 8. What is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul ? St. Matth. xvi. 26. My grace is sufficient for thee. 1 Cor. xii. 9. Who hath measured the wa- ters in the hollow of his hand? And comprehended the dust of the earth in a mea- sure ? And the heavens shall be rolled together as a scroll. Isaiah, xl. 12. xxxiv. 4. The Lord shall be thine everlasting light. lb. Ix. 20. If thy brother repent, for- give him. St. Luke, xvii. 3. The judgment is God's. Deut. i. 17. Koran. came unto his Lord with a perfect heart. * They who do good in this world, shall obtain good in the next. Ch. xxxix. p. 326. Verily they will be the losers, who shall lose their own souls. lb. p. 327. God is my sufficient sup- port, lb. p. 330. But they make not a due estimation of God : since the whole earth shall be but his handful, on the day of resur- rection, and the heavens shall be rolled together in His right hand. lb. p. 332. And the earth shall shine, by the light of its Lord. lb. p. 333. God : the Forgiver of sin, and the acceptor of repent- ance. Ch. xl. p. 334. Judgment belongeth unto the high, the great God. lb. p. 336. • " Noah was a just man and perfect in his generations ; and Noah walked with God." Gen. vi. 9. The reference is most accurate : the scriptural testimony to Abraham is the same with that to Noah. E 3 54> MAIIO.METANISM UNVEILED. [Sect. VIII. Bible. Men loved darkness, ra- ther than light. St. John, iii. 19. If thine enemy hunger, feed him ; If he thirst, give him drink : For, in so doing, thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. Be not overcome of evil ; But overcome evil with good. Rom. xii. 20, 21. Koran. They loved blindness, bet- ter than the true direction. Ch. xli. p. 315. Turn away evil witli that which is better ; and behold, the man between whom and thyself there was enmity, shall become, as it were, thy warmest friend. lb. p. 34>7. He that keepeth the com- He who doth right, doth it mandments, keepeth his to the advantage of his own soul : own soul ; But he that despiscth his And he who doth evil, doth ways shall die. Prov. it against the same. lb. xix. of. X. 36. p. 34-8. There are not found that When we confer favours returned to give glory to on man, he turneth aside, God, save this stranger. St. and dcparteth without re- Luke, xvii. 18. turning thanks. * Then they cried unto the But when evil toucheth him, Lord, in their trouble. he is frequent at prayer. Ps. cvii. 6. 13. 19, &c. lb. p. 349. * " And one of them, when lie saw that he was healed, turned back, and with a loud voice glorified God ; and fell down on his face at his feet, giving him tiianks." St. Luke, ut supr. 15, 10". Sect. VIII.] THE KORAN. Bible. Koran. 55 He that soweth to his flesh, Shall of the flesh reap cor- ruption : But he that soweth to the spirit, Shall of the spirit reap life everlasting.* Gal.vi. 8. They that go down to the sea in ships. They mount up to the heaven. Then they cry unto the Lord. He maketh the storm a calm. So he bringeth them unto their desired haven. Ps. cvii. 23—30. For now we see through a glass darkly ; But then face to face : Now I know in part ; But then shall I know, Even as also I am known. 1 Cor. xiii. 12. cf. 2 Cor. iii. 7, &c. Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me. 2Tim.i. 13. And all the people re- joiced, for all the glorious Whoso chooseth the tillage of the life to come. Unto him will we give in- crease in his tillage : And whoso chooseth the til- lage of this world, We will give him the fruit thereof. * Ch. xlii. p. 352. The ships running in the sea, like high mountains : If He pleaseth, he causeth the wind to cease ; And they lie still on the back of the water. lb. pp. 353, 354. It is not fit for man, that God should speak unto him otherwise than by private re- velation ; or from behind a veil ; or by his sending a messenger to reveal, by his permission, that which he pleaseth.. lb. p. 355. Hold fast the doctrine, which hath been revealed unto thee. Ch. xliii. p. 359. And when the son of Mary was proposed for an example; * Each of these passages is a fine specimen of the alternate parallelism. (See Sacred Literature, p. 29.) It is remarkable that the great moral truth which they alike inculcate, should, by Saint Paul, and by Mahomet„ have been cast in the same mould. E 4 56 MAIIOMETANISM UNVEILED. [Sect. VIII. Bible. Koran. things that were done by behold thy people cried out him. St. Luke, xiii. 17. The God of heaven and earth. Ezra, v. 11. But Abraham said. Son, remember that thou, in thy [the unbelievers] Ye received lifetime, receivedst thy good your good things in your things : — but now — thou art lifetime: wherefore this day, tormented. St. Luke, xvi. 25. ye shall be rewarded with punishment. Ch. xlvi. p. 373. through excess of joy there- at.* Ch.xliii. p. 360. He who is God in heaven, is God on earth also. lb. p. 362. It shall be said unto them, In every nation, he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him. Acts, x. 35. Those who believe and work righteousness. And believe in the revelation sent down unto Moham- med, He [God] will expiate their evil deeds from them. And will dispose their heart aright. Ch. xlvii. ad init. Verily we have sent thee to be a witness. The same came for a wit- ness, to bear witness of the light. St. John, i. 7. I am Gabriel, and am sent and a bearer of good tid- to show thee these glad ings, tidings, St. Luke, i. 17. O generation of vipers, who and a denouncer of threats. f hath warned you to flee from lb. p. 382. the wrath to come? lb. iii. 7. * Throughout the Koran, tlie mention of our Lord's name is almost uniformly atcompanictl by a denial of his divine nature. The impostor acts like the rebel against his earthly king ; who owns the justness of his title, by his very labour to do it away. t These characters belonged to John the Baptist : whom the eastern antichrist would thus appropriate to himself, as /lis forerunner. Sect. VIII.] THE KORAN. 57 Bible. Koran. And he said, So is the This is their description in kingdom of God, as if a man the Pentateuch*, and their shoukl cast seed into the description in the Gospel : ground; and shoukl sleep theyareasseed,whichputteth and rise, night and day ; and forth its stalk, and strength- eneth it, and swelleth in the ear, and riseth upon its stem ; giving delight unto the sow- er. Such are the Moslems described to be. Ch. xlviii. p. 387. the seed should spring and grow up, he knoweth not how. For the earth bringeth forth fruit of herself; first the blade, then the ear, after that the full corn in the ear. St. Mark, iv. 26—28. I hate vain thoughts ; But thy law do I love. Ps. cxix. 113. God hath made the faith amiable unto you, and hath prepared the same in your hearts ; And hath rendered infidelity, and iniquity, and dis- obedience, hateful unto you. Ch. xHx. p. 388. Why beholdest thou themote Inquire not too curiously that is in thy brother's eye ? St. Matth. vii. 3. Abhor that which is evil ; Cleave to that which is good. Rom. xii. 9. Whoso privily slandereth his neighbour, Him will I cut off. Ps. ci. 5. into other men's fliilinrrs • Neither let the one of vou speak ill of another, in his absence : Would any of you desire to eat the flesh of his dead brother ? f lb. 389. * No such description occurs in the Pentateuch : the alhision to the Gospel is sufficiently borne out. Inferior as it is in beauty, and in moral depth, to the divine original, the imitation is still a fine one. t The " Absentem qui rodit amicum" of Horace will occur to the classical reader. The Roman, and the Arabian moralist, seldom come thus nearly together. The identifying of the absent with the dead is a noble conception. So our great moral poet : — Absent or dead, still let a friend be dear. 58 MAHOMETANISM UNVEILED. [Sect. VIII. Bible. Even as David also dc- scribeth tlie blessedness of the man, unto whom God im- puteth righteousness, with- out works. Rom.iv. 6. That his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God. St. John, iii. 21. llejoice, and be exceeding glad; For great is your reward in heaven. St.Matth. v. 12. Koran. A burdened soul shall not bear the burden of another; and nothing shall be imputed to a man for righteousness, except his own labour ; and his labour shall surely be made manifest hereafter; and he shall be rewarded for the same with the most abundant reward. Ch. liii. pp.-lOSjlO^. For every one that exalteth himself, shall be abased ; And lie that humbleth him- self, shall be exalted. St. Luke, xviii. 14. But some men will say. How are the dead raised up ? And with what body do they come? Thou fool, that which thou sowest,is not quickened, except it die. And that which thou sowest, thou sow- est not that body that shall be, but bare grain. But God giveth it a body, as it hath pleased him. 1 Cor. xv. 35—38. Let the heaven and earth praise him; The inevitable day of judg- ment — will abase some, and exalt others. Ch. Ivi. p.413. Ye know the original pro- duction, by creation ; Will ye not therefore con- sider, that we are able to reproduce you by re- suscitation. What think ye ? The grain which ye sow, do ye cause the same to spring forth ? Or do we cause it to spring forth? lb. p. 416. Whatever is in heaven and earth singeth praise unto God ; Sect. VIII.] THE KORAN. 59 Bible. Koran. The seas, and every thing And He is mighty and tliat moveth therein, wise * : Ps. Ixix. 34. The most high God, pos- His is the kingdom of heaven and earth ; He giveth life, and he put- teth to death ; And he is Almighty f : sessor of heaven and earth Gen. xiv. 19. The Lord killeth, and maketh alive : He bringcth down to the grave, and bringeth up. 1 Sam. ii. 6. I am the First, and I am the last. Isaiah, xliv. 6. of. Rev. xxii. 13. God was manifest in the flesh. 2 Tim. iii. 16. He is the first and the last, The manifest and the hidden ; And he knoweth all things.! Ch. Ivii. ad init. He that hath pity upon the Who is he that will lend unto poor, Lendeth unto the Lord ; And that which he hath given, He will pay him again. Prov. xix. 17. Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said unto the God an acceptable loan .^ For He will double the same unto him ; And he shall receive more- over an honourable re- ward, lb. p. 419. On that day the hypocrit- ical men, and the hypocrit- ical women, shall say unto wise. Give us of your oil ; for those who believe : Stay for our lamps are gone out. But us, that we may borrow some the wise answered, saying, of your light. It shall be Go ye rather to them that answered : Return back into * " God is wise in heart, and mighty in strength." Job, ix. 4. cf. xii. 13 — 16. xxxvi. 3. and compare with Koran pas^/m. + *' I am the Almighty God." Gen. xvii. 1. \ " Lord, thou knowest all things. " St. John, xxi. 1 7. 60 MAIIOMETANISM UN^^ILED. [Sect. VIII. Bible. sell, and buy for yourselves. St. Matth.xxv. 9. God resisteth the proud, But giveth grace unto the humble. St. James, iv. 6. AVhosoever shall break one of those commandments, And shall teach men so. St. Matth.v. 19. cf. 1 Cor. vi. 10. If two of you shall agree on earth, as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven. For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.f St. Matth. xviii. 19, 20. He that loveth father or mother more than me, is not worthy of me ; and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. St. Matth. X. 37. If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and KOUAN. the world, and seek light. * Cli. Ivii. p. .iig. God loveth no proud or vain- glorious person ; Or those who are covetous, and connnand men co- vetousness. lb. p. I'Jl. God ; There is no private discourse among three per- sons, but he is the fourth of them; nor among five, but he is the sixth of tliem ; nei- ther among a smaller number than this nor a larger, but he is with them, wheresoever they be. f Ch. Iviii. p. 424'. Thou shalt not lind people who believe in God and the last day, to love him who opposeth God and his Apos- tle; although they be their fathers, or their sons, or their brethren, or their nearest re- lations, lb. ad fin. * The peculiarity of this illustration seems to place beyond doubt, its reference to our Lord's parable of the ten virgins. How this beautiful parable has sull'ered in the imitation needs not be pointed out. Indeed, without the Gospel original, the imitation would be unintelligible. f It is worthy of remark, that most of the prerogatives which Mahomet introduces as attributes of the Deity, are to be found in Scripture, attri- buted to Christ, wliose Godiiead might thus be deduced from tlie Koran. Sect. VIII.] THE KORAN. Gl Bible. mother, and wife, and cliil- dren,and brethren, and sisters, he cannot be my disciple. St. Luke, xiv. 26. Do not ye after their works, for they say, and do not. St. Matth. xxiii. 3. And it came to pass after- ward, that he went through- out every city and village, preaching, and showing the glad tidings of the kingdom of God. St. Luke, viii. 1. But I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another comforter. St. John, xiv. 16. But the comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, — the Father will send, in my name.* lb. 26. KOHAN. It is most odious in the sight of God, that ye say that which ye do not. Ch. Ixi. ad init. And when Jesus, the son of Mary, said, O children of Israel, verily I am the apostle of God sent unto you, con- firming the law which was delivered before me, and bringing good tidings of an apostle who shall come after me, and whose name shall be Ahmed. * lb. p. 435, 436. The Lord thy God will It is He who hath raised raise up unto thee, a Prophet up, amidst the illiterate from the midst of thee of Arabians, an apostle from thy brethren, like unto me. among themselves, to re- Deut. xviii. 15. * For the impious and monstrous perversion of Scripture here exhibited Mahomet had still a precedent in Church history : Montanus, the precep- tor and perverter of Tertullian, in like manner, gave himself out as the Comforter, or Paraclete, promised by Christ. " The Persian paraphrast, to support what is here alleged, quotes the following words of Christ : « I go to my Father, and the Paraclete shall come:' [see St. John, xvi. 7.1 The Mohammedan doctors unanimously teaching, that by the Paraclete (or as they chuse to read it, the Periclytc, or Illustrious,) their prophet is intended, and no other." Sale, vol. ii. p. 436. note b. 62 iVIAHOMETANISM UNVEILED. [Sect. VIII. Bible. Koran. hearse his signs unto them, And he shall purity the and to purity them, and to sons of Levi, — that they may teach them the Scrij)turcs otier unto the Lord an offer- and wisdom. * Ch. Ixii. ad ing in righteousness. Conf. init. Tit. ii. 13, 14.* And a man's foes shall be O true believers, verily of they of his own household, your wives and your children St. Matth. X. 36. you have an enemy. Ch. Ixiv. p. 442. Many are the afflictions of \Vhoso feareth God : the righteous : Unto him will he grant a But the Lord delivereth him happy issue out of all his out of them all. Ps. afflictions. Ch. Ixv. ad init. xxxiv. 19. Unto you therefore which Now hath God sent down believe he [Christ] is pre- unto you an Apostle, that he cious : That ye should show may bring forth those who forth the praises of Him, who believe, and do good works, hath culled you out of dark- from darkness into light, -f ness into his marvellous lb. ad fin. light, t 1 Pet. ii. 9. And I beheld when he had And when one blast shall opened the sixth seal, and sound the trumpet, lo there was a great earth- And the earth shall bemoved (|uake : — and every moun- from its place, and the tain and island were moved mountains also, * In this one plagiarism, the eastern Antichrist applies to himself