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Light of the world

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Light of the world
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Full Text
THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD.

They desire to put out the Light of God with their mouths; but God will
perfect His light, averse though the faithless people be! Kur'an.
VOL. I.No. 1.] LONDON, JUNE, 1905.
(Rabi' I. Double Number).
Subscription: Single Copy 21/ad.; 12 Months, 2s. 6d., Post free to all parts of the world.
2d.
GOD HELPETH HIM WHO
HELPETH GOD.
Wherever I cast my casual eyes
A raging sea before me lies;
The path is steep, the night is dark,
The tempest deepens gathering gloom.
launch upon this trackless sea
My heart, a frail and fragile bark;
Its pilot, rudder, anchor, sail,
'Bismillah' Tn the name of God'.
La ilaha ill a' 11 ah
Muhammadun Naji-ullah.
The seas rebelled, the mountains shook,
The sky and earth refused,
But I, the maddest of them all,
Rushed forth and bore the Load.
Beneath the burthen of Her love
Is broke in twain my heart.
O Misery, be thou my joy,
O Happiness, depart!
La ilaha illa'llah
Muhammadun Khalllullah.
I sang the sweet Celestial Song
In the battlefield with thee,
And I was in the Burning Bush,
And 'neath the Bodhi Tree,
And I was with thee on the Cross,
And on the Cross was I
When thou didst raise the plaintive cry
'Beloved! Eli, Eli, why
Hast thou forsaken me?'
La ilaha illa'llah
Mubammadur Ruh-ullah.
By the brightners of the dawning day,
By the night when darknessholds its sway,
Thy Love hath not forsaken thee,
Nor hath She thee cast away.
La ilaha illa'llah
M u h a m m ad u r R a s u 1 u 11 a h.
Give up the love of Fatimah,
Of Leila and Shireen;
Give up the love of Beatrice,
Of Laura and of Jean;
Turn, turn to me and me alone,


2
That true to thee has been;
Yes, give them up, and a thousand more,
And all for only Me.
La ilaha illa'llah
Muhammadun B e h a u 11 a h.
Thy days are spent in banishment,
But be not grieved, O Heart!
Thy exile in the Occident
Illumes the darkest Orient,
Light doth to the West impart.
La ilaha illa'llah
The Light of the World Thou art.
The Beloved sufficeth me,
In my heart there's none but She!
Love and Light! may God bless thee!
La ilaha ilia hu
La ilaha illa'llah.
Hasbi rabbi jalla'llah
Ma fi qalbl ghair allah
Nur Muhammad salla'llah
La ilaha illa'llah.
The Pan-Islamic Society, London, cele-
brates the Nativity of our Prophet by
giving an At Home at the Holborn Res-
taurant on the 18th. Brother Syed Ameer
Ali, C. I. E., late Judge of the Calcutta
High Court, will deliver an address on
the Life and Character of Muhammad.
Brother M. H. Kidwai will read a paper
entitled the "Miracle of Muhammad".
Messrs. Archibald Constable & Co., 16
James St., Haymarket, are about to publish
an excellent book called "The Sayings
of Muhammad", a copy of which ought to
be in the possession of every Muslim.
It is earnestly hoped that every reader
of The Light of the World will try his
utmost to increase its circulation.
Farewell, farewell, O prison-cell!
Madness is knocking at the door.
Good news to thee, O desert-thorn!
My naked feet will bleed once more.
"The Sun of Islamic culture in the West
set in darkness and gloom. The light went
out at Delhi and Granada. But the light
kindled by the Hermit of Hira shines
through centuries and burns in the hearts
of countless millions, and shall continue
to shine and burn even when the sun
grows dark and sheds light no more" K.
THE LIGHT
OF THE WORLD PUBLICATION
FARTHING FUND.
The Light of God. . i
Muhammad Abdullah al-
M. Suhrawardy.....3
4 farthings.
REPRESENTATIVES OF THE
LIGHT OF THE WORLD.
Aligarh. M. R. B. Kadri, Esq., Barrister-
at-law.
Tofail Ahmad, Esq.
Baghalpur. S. M. Zarif, Esq., Bar.-at-law.
Bhopal. Hajji Riazuddin Ahmad.
Cairo. M. A. Chevky, Esq., Ismailia Palace.
Calcutta. Nawab Unsud Dowla, Bar.-at-law.
S. M. Sherif, Esqr., Bar.-at-law.
Ceylon. Burhan Deen Lye, Esqr.


a
Chittagong. Qazi Zahirul Haq, Esq.
Dacca. Maulavi Abu Musa Ahmad-ul-Haq,
M.R. A.S.
Gay a. vS. S. Ahmad, Esqr., Barrister-at-law.
Hyderabad. M. J. Deen, Esq., Barrister-
at-law.
Karachi. G. D. Agha, Esq. Barrister-at-law.
Lahore. M. Jalaluddin, Esq., Barrister-at-
law.
Monghyr. E. A. Khan, Esqr., Barrister-
at-law.
Perth (YV. A.) C. J. R. Abdul Hainid Le
Mesurier, Esq., Bar.-at-law.
Samarkand. Fraulein Eva de Vay Ibranje.
Teheran. Prince Asadollah Mirza.
All literary communications, orders for
the Light of the World, mo?iey-or postal-
orders, cheques, etc. may be sent to Bro-
ther Muhammad Abdullah al-MamHn Suh-
raivardy, c.jo. Messrs. Thos. Cook and Son,
Ludgate Circus, London, E. C.
THE MISSION OF ISLAM.
5 o ^ x _o x x e S x s x. x 1 o o^ ^
ft ^ y^UJI ^ 3 LX/^J (_wvIjl)L! xil-j dljUu^l Lo ^
3 - ^ I I-
And we sent thee not save to the whole of mankind as a Herald of glad tidings and
a Warner, but the majority of people know not. And they say, 'When is this Promise?'
The question is quite frequently asked: "Is it possible to
establish Islam firmly in the Occident?"
This query implies a doubt which should have no place in
the mind of any Muslim; much less in the mind of one who
comprehends the nature of his religion. It implies a doubt of the
truth of his professed faith, of its divine origin, of its power to
take hold upon the souls of men, of its force as a means of sal-
vation and of the work and motives of our Holy Prophet (on
whom be peace).


4
Almighty God is the God of all men, not of a chosen few,
and if He inspired our Holy Prophet and authorized him to give
to the world the priceless jewel of eternal truth, as we fully be-
lieve He did, every true Muslim should feel it a pleasant duty
to use his best efforts to give to every man and woman on earth
an opportunity to know the truth, and walk in the right path.
Does any intelligent, well-informed Muslim really doubt that
Islam is the True Faith, that it contains the most perfect potency
of divine power? Why, then, should he doubt that its benefits
are intended for all humanity in every part of the world?
It is a fact made plainly evident by centuries of experience
that wherever and whenever the genial warmth of Islamic truth
has filled the heart of a human being, of any race or color of
skin, he has felt an irresistible desire to impart it to his fellow-
men. This is evidence that God's purpose is to ultimately unite
all mankind in the one True Faith, the faith of Islam. Further
evidence is in the fact that our Holy Religion is slowly but
surely spreading among the thinking people of Europe and Ame-
rica. And wherever it has found a lodgment in these countries
it has been in the minds and hearts of what are known as the
better class of men; men of marked intelligence and discernment
who have accepted Islam after earnest and careful study of its
doctrines.
Every man who has allowed the truths of Islam to sink
deeply into his soul has been made better by them. They have
made him a happier man, a more valuable citizen, a more faith-
ful parent and an instrument for incalculable good. They have


5
filled his soul with joy and peace past understanding. Is it not
selfish in him if he keeps all these blessings to himself and makes
no effort to give some measure of them to those around him
who have a God-given right to a share of them?
It is the plain duty of all Muslims to avail themselves of
every opportunity which comes in their way to spread the light
of truth abroad in all parts of the world. In doing so they wall
not only help to lift the world from the slough of error into
which a large portion of it has fallen but will add very largely
to their own spiritual possessions.
"A man's true wealth hereafter is the good he does in this
world to his fellow-men. When he dies people will ask: 'What
property has he left behind him?' But the angels who examine
him will ask: 'What good deeds hast thou sent before thee?'"
Can a Muslim do anything much better than to show a misbe-
liever the true path?
The mission of Islam is to regenerate the world, to dispel
the clouds created in the minds of men by false religious belief,
to elevate mankind to a plane of perfect fraternity beforeGod.
Those who obey the commands of God and aid in bringing about
this great result will have a blessed reward.
"Verily amid gardens and rivers shall the pious dwell; in
the seat of Truth, in the presence of the potent King."
editorial notes.
This, the first number of "The Light of the World", is not as near perfection
as we would like to have it but, with the help of Almighty God, we hope to make


6
each number an improvement on its predecessor until we have attained to the
standard of excellence to which we aspire.
We extend a cordial invitation to all Muslims in Europe, Asia and- America
to whom this journal is sent, to send us contributions to its columns. Its purpose
primarily is to assist in the propagation of Islam in the Occident and anything
calculated to aid us in the realization of that purpose will be most thankfully received.
Maulavi Muhammad Barakatullah, of Bhopal, India, who resided several years
in London, is now in America giving valuable assistance to Muhammed Webb in
the propagation of Islam in that country. Maulavi Barakatullah is an Arabic and
Persian scholar of distinction and he is well equipped for work in the good cause.
A reliable translation in English of the Holy Koran is urgently required in
England and America. The translation most read by Christians is Sale's which is
far from accurate and shows that he is guilty of the same offence of which he con-
victed Dean Prideaux, i. e. interpolating to support his own misconceptions. Besides
Sale's "Introductory Discourse" is full of bigotry and intolerance and is calculated
to mislead persons who are honestly seeking the truth concerning Islam. What is
needed is an honest translation made by a Muslim who understands his religion.
Our good brother, Muhammad Sarfaraz Husain, of Naini Tal, N. W. P. India,
has written a most interesting pamphlet entitled "The Beauties of Islam." which
is for sale by Rahmat Khan & Sons of Naini Tal at 8 Annas the copy. It should
be read by every devout Muslim and freely circulated.
The permanent address of Brother Muhammad Alexander Russell Webb, who
is working earnestly and effectively for the cause of Islam in America, is Ruther-
ford, New Jersey, U. S. A.
"The likeness of those who expend their wealth for the cause of God is that
of a grain of corn which produceth seven ears and in each ear a hundred grains.
And God will multiply to whom He pleaseth. God is liberal and wise." The Holy Koran.
In the death of the good Hadji Abdullah Arab, of Jeddah, Arabia, the cause
of Islam in all parts of the world lost one of its most ardent and generous advo-
cates. Few Muslims in the present century have labored as earnestly or given
money as freely for their religion. His memory should be honored by the Faithful
throughout the world.


7
"There is no piety in turning your faces toward the East nor toward the
West. But he is pious who believes in God and the last day and the world of
spirits and the Books; who, for the love of God, gives his wealth to his kindred
and to the orphans and the needy and the wayfarer and to those who ask for
ransoms; who observeth prayer and payeth the legal alms; who is of those who
are faithful to their engagements when they have engaged in them and who are
patient under ills and hardships and in times of trouble: these are they who are
just and pious; these are they who reverence the Lord." The Holy Koran.
THE CREED OF ISLAM.
In God's name, the Loving, the Kind.
Say: He the only God is one,
Eternal, unending, unbegun,
Of none begotten, and begetting none,
For Him as peer there is no one,
None co-equal.
Had We sent down this Message to some
mountain, thou wouldst surely have
seen it humbling itself, and cleaving
asunder for the majesty of God. These
signs we strike for mankind; haply they
would reflect.
He alone is God. There is no god save
Him, the Knower of the Past, the
Future, and the Present; Him the
Loving, the Kind. He alone is God.
There is no god save Him, the Sove-
reign, the Holy, the Peace, the Faith-
ful, the Protector, the Majestic, the
Mighty, the Glorious! Hallowed and
high is He above what they join with
Him! He alone is God, the Creator,
the Artificer, the Shaper, the Fashioner !
His are the lovely names. Whatsoever
is in the Heavens and in the earth
praiseth Him; and He is the Majestic,
the Wise!
PROTEST FOR THE DUMB.
!,ong before the European nations ever
dreamt of extending towards animals
tenderness and humanity the Rasul pro-
claimed in impressive words the duty
of mankind towards their dumb and
humble servitors. "Fear God with regard
to animals; ride them when they are
fit to be ridden, and get off when they
are tired. Verily, there are rewards for
our doing good to dumb animals and
giving them water to drink" (Hadith).
In the Koran, animal life stands on
the same footing as human life in the
sight of the Creator. "There is no beast
on earth, nor bird which flieth with
its wings, but the same is a people
like unto youunto the Lord shall
they return" (Koran: Surah vi., Cattle,
v. 38).


8
THE AMERICAN PROPAGANDA.
She does not hold to any promise she has pretended, save as seives hold water.
"The promises of Urkub" is a parable concerning her; and his promises were naught but lies.
Many of the readers of this journal will remember the visit
to India, in 1892, of Muhammad Alexander Russell Webb who
resigned his honorable and lucrative position in the American
Consular Service to take up the work of propagating our Holy
Religion in his native country. Few, however, know of the many
difficulties through which he passed subsequently, the trials and
persecutions he suffered and the obstacles which he overcame
before the success which he is now enjoying crowned his efforts.
And, strange to relate, the greatest opposition he encountered
and the largest measure of encouragement given to his oppo-
nents came from professed Muslims whose duty it was to sup-
port and encourage him. Probably no convert to Islam within
the past hundred years has been so completely misunderstood
and grossly misrepresented and maligned by his co-religionists as
he has been. It is not exaggeration to say that, during the first
five years of his mission work, he made more and greater volun-
tary sacrifices for his newly-adopted faith than any convert in the
century.
It would require more space than we have at our disposal


9
to tell in detail the story of Muhammad Webb's labors and trials
during the past twelve years. At first he made the mistake of
organizing his work on the lines generally taken by the Euro-
pean missionary in the Orient. He leased a large and expensive
building in New York which he fitted up as a general head-
quarters for Muslims. It contained a fine lecture-room seated
with folding chairs, a suite of well-furnished offices, a mosque,
reading-room, library, sleeping and dining rooms for visitors and
offices for the publication of his beautiful and expensive maga-
zine the Muslim World. He had been assured that ample means
for the maintenance of the headquarters would be furnished by
the Muslims of India. Perhaps different results would have fol-
lowed if this assurance had materialized but Almighty God, the
omniscient, decreed otherwise. These evidences of the possession
of money excited the cupidity of a number of Christian leeches,
male and female, who pretended conversion to Islam in order to
get something to put into their purses. When they failed to realize
their expectations they turned against the innocent cause of their
disappointment and endeavored to ruin him. The methods used
were those which usually suggest themselves to people of this
character. Among them was the circulation in India of slanderous
tales which were readily believed without any proof other than
the bare statements of the conspirators. Promised funds were held
back and Muhammad Webb soon found himself reduced to abso-
lute want. At times he was obliged to visit the pawnshops to
obtain money with which to maintain his family. The story of his
struggles at this time is calculated to touch the heart of anyone


IO
who has such an organ. Naturally of a trusting disposition he
confided in those whom he believed to be his friends and brothers
and he was cruelly deceived.
And yet he was not discouraged. He closed the expensive
headquarters sold all that could be sold and went on with his
work of carrying the light of Islam in to the dark places of his
native land. But he changed his methods radically. Instead of
advertising and holding public meetings, which he had. learned
by bitter experience attracted many people who sought only money
or new sensations, he went about quietly among the better classes
appealing to their higher conceptions of religion, leading them
into becoming interested in Islam and supplying them with lite-
rature on the subject. In this way he has led thousands of Ame-
ricans into a better conception of the teachings of our Holy Pro-
phet (on whom be peace) than would have been possible under
the system of public meetings which resulted so unfavorably. Public
lectures were frequently given but only on invitation from a school,
college, religious or other organization. On the 26th ult. he deliver-
ed a lecture on Islam before the Educational Section of the West-
chester Women's Club which was listened to by 263 women, the
wives or female relatives of New York merchants. Not a man
was present. At the close of the lecture he was surrounded by
a large number of women who urged him to teach a class of
women every week. Four Friday mornings have been given to
this class and widespread interest has been aroused. It will result
in great good to the cause.
Some three or more years ago the report was circulated in


11
India that Muhammad Webb had abandoned the work of teach-
ing Islam in America. We are in a position to deny this report
and to say authoritatively that he has never, since he left India,
ceased to devote himself to the work to which he pledged him-
self in 1892. He is a Muslim who loves his religion with all his
soul and is glad to teach it to Americans.
FROM "CHRIST" TO GOD.
THE STORY OF MY SOUL.
By M. A.
Nothing is farther from my purpose than any want of rever-
ence towards the Son of Mary, his true faith, or the Revelation
given him: the expressions, "Christ", "Christianity", and "The
Gospel", are only used in the conventional sense for the fanciful
"Redeemer" born of the imagination of his followers, the equally
fanciful teaching they ascribe to him, and the sophisticated books
brought forward as authority for this teaching.
I may add that certain Arabic words which have become
part and parcel of the English language, and which it would be
pedantic to write with the special letters necessary to reproduce
their exact original form, have been given as they are most
generally used. "Muezzin", for instance, though incorrect, is more
familiar than "muadhdhin". But it is time to begin my tale.


12
CHAPTER I.
Childhood and Youth.
I was taken out to India when eight years old and from
that time, if not before, I used regularly to accompany my parents
to church on Sundays. The conviction was soon borne in upon
me here that I was a miserable sinner, but that I might yet
save my soul alive from the Bottomless Pit, if I "turned from
my wickedness and did that which was righteous and good1."
The question how to set about this followed as a matter of course,
and in order to solve it I sought the advice of an old church
missionary who told me to read "the Bible". The Lord, I found
had from the beginning, determined to harden Pharaoh's heart,
so that he should not let the Jews leave Egypt, and accordingly,
though the King was himself disposed to set them free, he was
prevented from carrying out -this intention. Then, not only he
but his servants and people were cruelly punished because he
had not done what the pre-arranged hardening of his heart would
not allow him to do. On one occasion, indeed, the ruler went so
far as to say that he had sinned and to ask forgiveness. But
"the Lord hardened Pharaoh's heart so that he would not let
the Children of Israel go," and immediately afflicted the land
with another plague. All this seemed to me conduct unworthy
of the Deity, especially in the light of the following explanation
of the sufferings to which Pharaoh and his people were subjected:
"And in very deed for this cause have I raised thee up, for
I Ezekiel XVIII. 27 with which the Book of Common Prayer begins.


13
showing thee my power." Hence, as I knew nothing at the time
of the very great allowances which must be made in the Penta-
teuch for oriental metaphor and the peculiar phraseology of the
Hebrew language, the only conclusion I was able to come to was
that this book could not possibly be the "word of God" and the
religion founded upon it could not be true.
By this religion I understood not only Judaism but all the
different forms of "Christianity"; the compromise never entered
my head of professing the most steadfast faith in every word of
"Christ" as an utterance of the Divinity and at the same time
holding the Old Testament, to whose authority the New repre-
sents him as appealing, to be merely a pack of'fables. I may also
remark that I had no chance of becoming acquainted with this
utterly illogical expedient, as it only came into fashion many years
afterwards, like the negative attitude of the Agnostic. This, too,
did not suggest itself to me; though my confidence was gone in
what I had been taught to consider Revelation, belief in my
Maker remained. I saw around me splendid scenery, luxuriant
tropical vegetation, and a number of other marvels of nature
that spoke to me of her dependence. The works of man I knew
bore witness to his reason. Must not the universe, in which all
mankind together was less than an atom, be due to an intelli-
gent cause? Was it possible if the whole had not been designed
and carried out by a master mind, that its every part from the
vast mechanism of the heavens to the smallest forms of insect
life should fit in so accurately with every other? I went on, hold-
ing the Supreme Being in reverence, then, to the best of my


14
power but my ideas of the way to serve Him were necessarily
very vague, and I hankered after some guide that should instruct
me more fully as to what was required of me. One day (I was
an omnivorous reader and used to spend much of my spare time
in rummaging among a miscellaneos collection of books in the
house) I hit upon a series of sketches of the different religions
of the world. As I ran my eye over the volume, my attention
was attracted to a passage stating that Islam forbade drink and
gambling, which I knew to be fruitful occasions of murder and
other crimes-, hence, as there seemed to be some good in this
system I went carefully through the description given of it. While
doing so I found that according to the Koran, the Jewish and
Christian scriptures had been tampered with by those who received
them, an explanation that accounted to me for the unworthy
actions attributed to God by the English version of Exodus.
Having come to the conclusion that as far as I could see
Islam must be the true religion, I cast about me for means of
making myself better acquainted with it. I was in a district where
there were hardly any Muslims, and I had consequently little or
no opportunity of putting myself in communication with them.
Nay, I even failed to do this when, during a visit to another
part of the country, I made an excursion to one of their places
of worship, about two miles from the bungalow at which we were
staying. I had been possessed ever since this Mosque came within
my reach, with a great yearning to go to it some night; and at
length I summoned up the requisite courage. I carefully washed
my feet before entering; then picking my way among those asleep


15
within, I prostrated myself before a recess over which a myster-
ious NAME was written and, ignorant as I was of all Islamic
prayers, poured out my soul as best I could. Suddenly one of
the men awoke. I tried to explain myself, but I did not know
his language; so though he appeared satisfied that I meant no
harm, he would not let me remain any longer. Despite this, I
went away comforted, bearing with me the recollection, which
clings to me still, of a solemn stillness of that sanctuary at dead
of night, and a renewed determination to learn all I could about
Islam. In due course this resolve received at fresh impetus through
my ferreting out an antediluvian Arabic handbook with whose
aid I taught myself to read, and a worm-eaten Dutch "Alcoran"
printed somewhere in the eighteenth century, at the gist of which
I managed to get by dint of perseverance. Meanwhile, on the
other hand, I made such attempts as circumstances permitted to
put the precepts of Islam into practice.
After several years we left the chief town and broke the
journey at a smaller one about half-way, where we stayed for
the night at a hotel. Having slept little, doubtless on account of
the sudden change from the cool weather up country, I rose
very early and went out. Presently I came to a Mosque, in front
of which a number of persons were getting ready for prayer at
dawn. I could not resist the temptation to go up to them and
as I was able to make myself understood, they showed me how
to perform the ablutions. After these they provided me in the
outer part of the building with a suit of flowing oriental robes
and a large turban, all quite new, and then took me into the


i6
sanctuary prepared. At the time I knew hardly anything of the
ritual, but the Arabic I had acquired enabled me to understand
what was going on and to join in the responses. I may add that
this special Surah recited by the Imam, as I conclude from what
I have learned since, must have been that of the Sijdah, allotted
to Friday morning. After the service, when we had come back
to the place where I had dressed, the worshippers gathered
round me, made me take a meal with them, and obtained my
promise that I would embrace Islam at the earliest possible op-
portunity. It was now time for me to put on my own clothes,
and to take a reluctant leave of them; but before doing so I
had the further consolation of seeing and handling a Koran for
the first time, as well as the satisfaction of making sure of my
pronunciation by comparing that of an Arab from the Hejaz,
who happened to be present, with the equivalent in the hand-
book I had studied.
Nothing of importance followed till after we had reached
our journey's end or indeed until I nerved myself for the dread
ordeal of explaining at home that I felt it my duty formally to
become a Muslim. I was about sixteen now and enjoyed a good
deal more liberty than a few years back. I should, therefore, in
all probability have been let alone if I had gone on practis-
ing my religion without calling particular attention to the fact.
But the matter assumed an entirely different complexion the
moment I proposed to openly defy public opinion by professing
Islam, and no stone was left unturned to drive the idea out of
my head. All that I cherished was subjected to constant derision,


17
whilst as regards myself, taunts, sneers, and invectives, varied by
harrowing appeals, were the order of the day. Soon came threats
of every kind, the most alarming of which to one as completely
ignorant of the law as I, was the holding of its rigours in ter-
ror em over me. I was given to understand that I could be lock-
ed up in a madhouse, and, worst of all, that the Musulmans
with whom I had come in contact could be criminally prosecuted
and condemned perhaps to long terms of hard labour for having
interfered with a minor.
One Sunday I was again informed with greater solemnity
than ever, of this design to take action against them. A letter
had already been written to set the law in motion, I was told,
and would be sent off without fail unless I went to church that
day, which would be taken as a sign that I had given up all
my "folly". I tried by every means to get the decision revoked,
but to no purpose: I could not bring myself to do what was
demanded of me, on the other hand, and held out to the last,
even remaining behind when the others left. Then my heart
failed me for I knew they were taking the fatal letter, and I
came up with the carriage by running frantically along a short cut.
My surrender, however, went no further than being materially
present at the service, during which I never opened my mouth.
On first calling the circumstance to mind, I was disposed
to wonder how I could have let myself be so greatly intimidated.
My surprise lessens, however, as I consider that 1 am looking
back at what actually took place, not at what might have been
expected; for I have more than once in my own person found


18
truth to be stranger than fiction, much as I have often seen
Eastern sunsets so gorgeous that if it were possible to reproduce
them on canvas, they would be taxed with exaggeration. More-
over, having always been kept under parental authority, given
private tuition at home, and prevented from making friends with
other young people, I still stood in unusually great awe of those
set over me, a feeling that has clung to me throughout life, and
had an indefinite notion that the power given them by the law
was practically unlimited.
Yet, even thus it could wring nothing more from me than
outward and passive obedience, not calculated to outlive the
compulsion from which it sprung. My elders who clearly saw this
therefore determined to send me to England.
Printed by e. j. brill, Leyden (Holland).


Full Text

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THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD. They desire to put the Liglat of' God with tluir mouths; but God pe1-ject His light, averse though the faithless people be! VOL. I.-No. 1.] LONDON, JUNE, 1905. (Rabi' I. Double Number). SunSCRIPTION: Sing]e Copy 2J11d.j 12 Months, 25. 6d., Post free to all parts of the world. GOD HELPETH HIM WHO HELPETH GOD. Wherever I cast my casual eyes A raging sea before me lies; The path is steep, the night is dark, The tempest deepens gathering gloom. I. launch upon this trackless sea My heart, a frail and fragile bark; Its pilot, rudder, anchor, sail, 'Bismillah' -'In the name of God'. La ilaha illa'llah Muhammadun Naj'i-ullah. The seas rebelled, the mountains shook, 'fhe sky and earth refused, But I, the maddest of them all, Rushed forth and bore the Load. Beneath the burthen of Her love Is broke in twain my heart. 0 Misery, be thou my joy, 0 Happiness, depart! La ilaha illa'llah M u ha m mad u n K ha l 11 u ll a h. I sang the sweet Celestial Song In the battlefield with thee, And I was in the Burning Bush, And 'neath the Bodhi Tree, And I was with thee on the Cross, And on the Cross was I When thou didst raise the plaintive cry 'Beloved! Eli, Eli, why Hast thou forsaken me?' La ilaha illa'llah Mu ham mad ur R Uhullah. By the brightners of the dawning day, By the night when darkness holds its sway, Thy Love hath not forsaken thee, Nor hath She thee cast away. La ilaha illa'llah Muhammadur Rasul-ullah. Give up the love of Fatimah, Of Leila and Sh'ireen; Give up the love of Beatrice, Of Laura and of Jean; Turn, turn to me and me alone,

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That true to thee has been; Yes, give them up, and a thousand more, And all for only Me. La ilaha illa'llah Muh am mad un Beha-ullah. Thy days are spent in banishment, But be not grieved, 0 Heart! Thy exile in the Occident Illumes the darkest Orient, Light doth to the West impart. La ilaha illa'llah The Light of the World Thou art. The Beloved sufficeth me, In my heart there's none but She Love and Light! may God bless thee La ilaha illa hil La ilaha ill a 'llah. Hasbi rabbi jalla'llah Ma fi qalbi ghair allah Nur Muhammad salla'llah La ilah a ill a 'llah. The Pan-Islamic Society, London, cele brates the Nativity of our Prophet by giving an At Home at the Holborn Res taurant on the x8th. Brother Syed Ameer Ali, C. I. E., late Judge of the Calcutta High Court, will deliver an address on the Life and Character of Muhammad. Brother M. H. Kidwai will read a paper entitled the "Miracle of Muhammad". Messrs. Archibald Constable & Co., 16 J ames St., Haymarket, are about to publish an excellent book called "The Sayings of Muhammad", a copy of which ought to be in the possession of every Muslim. It is earnestly hoped tltat everJ' reader of The Light of the World will try his utmost to i11crease its circttlatiott. Farewell, farewell, 0 prison-cell! Madness is knocking at the door. Good news to thee, 0 desert-thorn My naked feet will bleed once more. "The Sun of Islamic culture in the West set in darkness and gloom. The light went out at Delhi and Granada. But the light kindled by the Hermit of Hira shines through centuries and burns in the hearts of countless millions, and shall continue to shine and burn even when the sun grows dark and sheds light no more" -K. THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD PUBLICATION FARTHING FUND. The Light of God. 1 Muhammad Abdullah al-M. Suhrawardy. 3 4 farthings. REPRESENTATIVES OF THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD. Aligarh. M. R. B. Kadri, Esq.; Barrister at-law. Tofail Ahmad, Esq. Baghalpur. S. M. Zarif, Esq., Bar.-at-law. Bhopal. Hajji Riazuddin Ahmad. Cairo. M. A. Chevky, Esq., Ismailia Palace. Calcutta. Nawab Unsud Dowla, Bar.-at-law. S. M. Sherif, Esqr., Bar.-at-law. Ceylon Burhan Deen Lye, Esqr.

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.. ,) Chittagong. Qazi Zahirul Haq, Esq. I Perth (W. A.) C. J. R. Abdul Harnid Le Dacca. Maulavi Abu Musa Ahmad-ul-Haq, \ Mesurier, Esq., Bar.-at-law. M. R. A. S. Samarkand. Fraiilein Evade V ay lbranje. Gaya. S. S. Ahmacl, Esqr., Barrister-at-law. Teheran. Prince Asaclollah Mirza. Hyclerahacl. M. J. Deen, Esq., Barristerat-law. All literary commzmications, orders .for Karachi. G. D. Agha, Esq. Barrister-at-law. the Light o.f the World, money-or postal Lahore. M. Jalalucldin, Esq., Barrister-at-orders, cheques, etc. may be sent to Bro-law. ther Muhammad Abdullah al-Mlimiln SuhMonghyr. E. A. Khan, Esqr., Barristerrawardy, c.fo. Messrs. Tl10s. Cook and Son, at-law. Ludgate Circus, London, E. C. THE MISSION OF ISLAM. And we sent thee not save to the whole of mankind as a Herald of glad tidings and a Warner, but the majority of people know not. And they say, 'When is this Promise?' The question is quite frequently asked: "Is it possible to establish Islam firmly in the Occident?" This query implies a doubt which should have no place in the mind of any Muslim; much less in the mind of one who comprehends the nature of his religion. It implies a doubt of the truth of his professed faith, of its divine origin, of its power to take hold upon the souls of men, of its force as a means of sal vation and of the work and motives of our Holy Prophet (on whom be peace).

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4 Almighty God is the God of all men, not of a chosen few, and if He inspired our Holy Prophet and authorized him to give to the world the priceless jewel of eternal truth, as we fully be lieve He did, every true Muslim should feel it a pleasant duty to use his best efforts to give to every man and woman on earth an opportunity to know the truth, and walk in the right path. Does any intelligent, well-informed Muslim really doubt that Islam is the True Faith, that it contains the most perfect potency of divine power? Why, then, should he doubt that its benefits are intended for all humanity in every part of the world? It is a fact made plainly evident by centuries of experience that wherever and whenever the genial warmth of Islamic truth has filled the heart of a human being, of any race or color of skin, he has felt an irresistible desire to impart it to his fellow men. This is evidence that God's purpose is to ultimately unite all mankind in the one True Faith, the faith of Islam. Further evidence is in the fact that our Holy Religion is slowly but surely spreading among the thinking people of Europe and Ame rica. And wherever it has found a lodgment in these countries it has been in the minds and hearts of what are known as the better class of men; men of marked intelligence and discernment who have accepted Islam_ after earnest and careful study of its doctrines. Every man who has allowed the truths of Islam to sink deeply into his soul has been made better by them. They have made him a happier man, a more valuable citizen, a more faithful parent and an instrument for incalculable good. They have

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5 filled his soul with joy and peace past understanding. Is it not selfish in him if he keeps all these blessings to himself and makes no effoTt to give some measure of them to those around him who have a God-given right to a share of them? It is the plain duty of all Muslims to avail themselves of every opportunity which comes in their way to spread the light of truth abroad in all parts of the world. In doing so they will not only help to lift the world from the slough of error into which a large portion of it has fallen but will add very largely to their own spiritual possessions. "A man's true wealth hereafter is the good he does in this world to his fellow-men. When he dies people will ask: 'What property has he left behind him?' But the angels who examine him will ask: 'What good deeds hast thou sent before thee?' Can a Muslim do anything much better than to show a misbe liever the true path? The mission of Islam is to regenerate the world, to dispel the clouds created in the minds of men by false religious belief, to elevate mankind to a plane of perfect fraternity before' God. Those who obey the commands of God and aid in bringing about this great result will have a blessed reward. "Verily amid gardens and rivers shall the pious dwell; m the seat of Truth, in the presence of the potent King." EDITORIAL NOTES. This, the first number of "The Light of the World", is not as near perfection as we would like to have it but, with the help of Almighty God, we hope to make

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6 each number an improvement on its predecessor until we have attained to the standard of excellence to which we aspire. We extend a cordial invitation to all Muslims in Europe, Asia and. America to whom this journal is sent, to send us contributions to its columns. Its purpose primarily is to assist in the propagation of Islam in the Occident and anything calculated to aid us in the realization of that purpose will be most thankfully received. Maulavi Muhammad Barakatullah, of Bhopal, India, who resided sever::tl years in London, is now in America giving valuable assistance to Muhammed Webb in the propagg.tion of Islam in that country. Maulavi Barakatullah is an Arabic and Persian scholar of distinction and he is well equipped for work in the good cause. A reliable translation in English of the Holy Koran is urgently required in England and America. The translation most read by Christians is Sale's which is far from accurate and shows that he is guilty of the same offence of which he con victed Dean Prideaux, i. e. interpolating to support his own misconceptions. Besides Sale's "Introductory Discourse" is full of bigotry and intolerance and is calculated to mislead persons who are honestly seeking the truth concerning Islam. What is needed is an honest translation made by a Muslim who understands his religion. Our good brother, Muhammad Sarfaraz Husain, of Naini Tal, N. W. P. India, has written a most interesting pamphlet entitled "The Beauties of which is for sale by Rahmat Khan & Sons of Naini Tal at 8 Annas the copy. It should be read by every devout Muslim and freely circulated. The permanent address of Brother Muhammad Alexander Russell Webb, who is working earnestly and effectively for the cause of Islam in America, is Ruther ford, New Jersey, U. S. A. "The likeness of those who expend their wealth for the cause of God is that of a grain of corn which produceth seven ears and. in each ear a hundred grains. And God will multiply to whom He pleaseth. God is liberal and wise." The Holy Koran. In the death of the good Hadji Abdullah Arab, of Jeddah, Arabia, the cause of Islam in all parts of the world lost one of its most ardent and generous advo cates. Few Muslims in the present century have labored as earnestly or given money as freely for their religion. His memory should be honored by the Faithful throughout the world.

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7 "There is no piety in turning your faces toward the East nor toward the West. But he is pious who believes in God and the last day and the world of spirits and the Books; who, for the love of God, gives his wealth to his kindred and to the orphans and the needy and the wayfarer and to those who ask for ransoms; who observeth prayer and payeth the legal alms; who is of those who are faithful to their engagements when they have engaged in them and who are patient under ills and hardships and in times of trouble: these are they who are just and pious; these are they who reverence the Lord." -The Holy Koran. THE CREED OF ISLAM. In God's name, the Loving, the Kind. Say: He the only God is one, Eternal, unending, unbegun, Of none begotten, and begetting none, For Him as peer there is no one, None co-equal. Had We sent down this Message to some mountain, thou wouldst surely have seen it humbling itself, and cleaving asunder for the majesty of God. These signs we strike for mankind; ha ply they would reflect. He alone is God. There is no god save Him, the Knower of the Past, the Future, and the Present: Him the Loving, the Kind. He alone is God. I There is no god save Him, the Sove reign, the Holy, the Peace, the Faithful, the Protector, the Majestic, the Mighty, the Glorious! Hallowed and high is He above what they join with Him! He alone is God, the Creator, the Artificer, the Shaper, the Fashioner! His are the lovely names. Whatsoever is in the Heavens and in the earth praiseth Him; and He is the Majestic, the Wise! PROTEST FOR THE DUMB. Long before the European nations ever dreamt of extending towards animals tenderness and humanity the Rasul pro .claimed in impressive words the duty of mankind towards their dumb and humble servitors. "Fear God with regard to animals; ride them when they are fit to be ridden, and get off when they are tired Verily, there are rewards for our doing good to dumb animals and giving them water to drink" (Hadrth). In the Koran, animal life stands on the same footing as human life in the sight of the Creator. "There is no bea!t on earth, nor bird which flieth with its wings, but the same is a people like unto you-unto the Lord shall they return" (Koran: Surah vi., Cattle, v. 38).

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8 THE AMERICAN PROPAGANDA. -"L....,Jt eL-... :i L .... s' dl-... :i ':l, 'J\l L..o, Sl:;;..o L-e-J '-:-'.Jo;;r::. She does not hold to any promise she has pretended, save as seives hold water. "The promises of Urkiib" is a parable concerning her; and his promises were naught bnt lies. Many of the readers of this journal will remember the visit to India, in 1892, of Muhammad Alexander Russell Webb who resigned his honorable and lucrative position in the American Consular Service to take up the work of propagating our Holy Religion in his native country. Few, however, know of the many difficulties through which he passed subsequently, the trials and persecutions he suffered and the obstacles which he overcame before the success which he is now enjoying crowned his efforts. And, strange to relate, the greatest opposition he encountered and the largest measure of encouragement given to his oppo nents came from professed Muslims whose duty it was to sup port and encourage him. Probably no convert to Islam within the past hundred years has been so completely misunderstood and grossly misrepresented and maligned by his co-religionists as he has been. It is not exaggeration to say that, during the first five years of his mission work, he made more and greater volun tary sacrifices for his newly-adopted faith than any convert in the century. It would require more space than we have at our disposal

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9 to tell m detail the story of Muhammad Webb's labors and trials during the past twelve years. At first he made the mistake of organizing his work on the lines generally taken by the Euro pean missionary in the Orient. He leased a large and expensive building in New York which he fitted up as a general headquarters for Muslims. It contained a fine lecture-room seated with folding chairs, a suite of well-furnished offices, a mosque, reading-room, library, sleeping and dining rooms for visitors and offices for the publication of his beautiful and expensive magazine the MusLIM \iVoRLD. He had been assured that ample means for the maintenance of the headquarters would be furnished by the Muslims of India. Perhaps different results would have fol lowed if this assurance had materialized but Almighty God, the omniscient, decreed otherwise. These evidences of the possession of money excited the cupidity of a number of Christian leeches, male and female, who pretended conversion to Islam in order to get something to put into their purses. When they failed to realize their expectations they turned against the innocent cause of their disappointment and endeavored to ruin him. The methods used were those which usually suggest themselves to people of this character. Among them was the circulation in India of slanderous tales which were readily believed without any proof other than the bare statements of the conspirators. Promised funds were held back and Muhammad Webb soon found himself reduced to abso lute want. At times he was obliged to visit the pawnshops to obtain money with which to maintain his family. The story of his struggles at this time is calculated to touch the heart of anyone

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IO who has such an organ. Naturally of a trusting disposition he confided in those whom he believed to be his friends and brothers and he was cruelly deceived. And yet he was not discouraged. He closed the expensive headquarters sold all that could be sold and went on with his work of carrying the light of Islam in to the dark places of his native land. But he changed his methods radically. Instead of advertising and holding public meetings, which he had learned by bitter experience attracted many people who sought only money or new sensations, he went about quietly among the better classes appealing to their higher conceptions of religion, leading them into becoming interested in Islam and supplying them with literature on the subject. In this way he has led thousands of Americans into a better conception of the teachings of our Holy Pro phet (on whom be peace) than would have been possible under the system of public meetings which resulted so unfavorably. Public lectures were frequently given but only on invitation from a school, college, religious or other organization. On the 26th ult. he delivered a lecture on Islam before the Educational Section of the Westchester Women's Club which was listened to by 263 women, the wives or female relatives of New York merchants. Not a man was present. At the close of the lecture he was surrounded by a large number of women who urged him to teach a class of women every week. Four Friday mornings have been given to this class and widespread interest has been aroused. It will result m great good to the cause. Some three or more years ago the report was circulated in

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I I India that Muhammad Webb had abandoned the work of teach ing Islam in America. We are in a position to deny this report and to say authoritatively that he has never, since he left India, ceased to devote himself to the work to which he pledged him self in I892. He is a Muslim who loves his religion with all his soul and is glad to teach it to Americans. FROM "CHRIST" TO GOD. THE STORY OF MY SOUL. By M. A. Nothing is farther from my purpose than any want of rever ence towards the Son of Mary, his true faith, or the Revelation given him : the expressions, "Christ", "Christianity", and "The Gospel", are only used in the conventional sense for the fanciful "Redeemer" born of the imagination of his followers, the equally fanciful teaching they ascribe to him, and the sophisticated books brought forward as authority for this teaching. I may add that certain Arabic words which have become part and parcel of the English language, and which it would be pedantic to write with the special letters necessary to reproduce their exact original form, have been given as they are most generally used. "Muezzin", for instance, though incorrect, is more familiar than "muadhdhin". But it is time to begin my tale.

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12 CHAPTER I. Childhood and Youth. I was taken out to India when eight years old and from that time, if not before, I used regularly to accompany my parents to church on Sundays. The conviction was soon borne in upon me here that I was a miserable sinner, but that I might yet save my soul alive from the Bottomless Pit, if I "turned from my wickedness and did that which was righteous and good 1." The question how to set about this followed as a matter of course, and in order to solve it I sought the advice of an old church missionary who told me to read "the Bible". The Lord, I found had from the beginning, determined to harden Pharaoh's heart, so that he should not let the Jews leave Egypt, and accordingly, though the King was himself disposed to set them free, he was prevented from carrying out this intention. Then, not only he but his servants and people were cruelly punished because he had not done what the pre-arranged hardening of his heart would not allow him to do. On one occasion, indeed, the ruler went so far as to say that he had sinned and to ask forgiveness. But "the Lord hardened Pharaoh's heart so that he would not let the Children of Israel go," and immediately afflicted the land with another plague. All this seemed to me conduct unworthy of the Deity, especially in the light of the following explanation of the sufferings to which Pharaoh and his people were subjected: "And in very deed for this cause have I raised thee up, for I Ezekiel XVIII. 27 with which the Book of Common Prayer begins.

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13 showing thee my power." Hence, as I knew nothing at the time of the very great allowances which must be made in the Penta teuch for oriental metaphor and the peculiar phraseology of the Hebrew language, the only conclusion I was able to come to was that this book could not possibly be the "word of God" and the religion founded upon it could not be true. By this religion I understood not only J udaism but all the different forms of "Christianity"; the compromise never entered my head of professing the most steadfast faith in every word of "Christ" as an utterance of th,e Divinity and at the same time holding the Old Testament, to whose authority the New repre sents him as appealing, to be merely a pack of fables. I may also remark that I had no chance of becoming acquainted with th,is utterly illogical expedient, as it only came into fashion many years afterwards, like the negative attitude of the Agnostic. This, too, did not suggest itself to me; though my confidence was gone in what I had been taught to consider Revelation, belief in my Maker remained. I saw around me splendid scenery, luxuriant tropical vegetation, and a number of other marvels of nature that spoke to me of her dependence. The works of man I knew bore witness to his reason. Must not the universe, in which all mankind together was less than an atom, be due to an intelli gent cause? Was it possible if the whole had not been designed and carried out by a master mind, that its every part from the vast mechanism of the heavens to the smallest forms of insect life should fit in so accurately with every other? I went on, hold ing the Supreme Being in reverence, then, to the best of my

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14 power but my ideas of the way to serve Him were necessarily very vague, and I hankered after some guide that should instruct me more fully as to what was required of me. One day (I was an omnivorous reader and used to spend much of my spare time in rummaging among a miscellaneos collection of books in the house) I hit upon a series of sketches of the different religions of the world. As I ran my eye over the volume, my attention was attracted to a passage stating that Islam forbade drink and gambling, which I knew to be fruitful occasions of murder and other crimes; hence, as there seemed to be some good in this system I went carefully through the description given of it. While doing so I found that according to the Koran, the Jewish and Christian scriptures had been tampered with by those who received them, an explanation that accounted to me for the unworthy actions attributed to God by the English version of Exodus. Having come to the conclusion that as far as I could see Islam must be the true religion, I cast about me for means of making myself better acquainted with it. I was in a district where there were hardly any Muslims, and I had consequently little or no opportunity of putting myself in communication with them. Nay, I even failed to do this when, during a visit to another part of the country, I made an excursion to one of their places of worship, about two miles from the bungalow at which we were staying. I had been possessed ever since this Mosque came within my reach, with a great yearning to go to it some night; and at length I summoned up the requisite courage. I carefully washed my feet before entering; then picking my way among those asleep

PAGE 15

within, I prostrated myself before a recess over which a myster ious NAME was written and, ignorant as I was of all Islamic prayers, poured out my soul as best I could. Suddenly one of the men a woke. I tried to explain myself, but I did not know his language; so though he appeared satisfied that I meant no harm, he would not let me remain any longer. Despite this, I went away comforted, bearing with me the recollection, which clings to me still, of a solemn stillness of that sanctuary at dead of night, and a renewed determination to learn all I could about Islam. In due course this resolve received et fresh impetus through my ferreting out an antediluvian Arabic handbook with whose aid I taught myself to read, and a worm-eaten Dutch "Alcoran" printed somewhere in the eighteenth century, at the gist of which I managed to get by dint of perseverance. Meanwhile, on the other hand, I made such attempts as circumstances permitted to put the precepts of Islam into practice. After several years we left the chief town and broke the journey at a smaller one about half-way, where we stayed for the night at a hotel. Having slept little, doubtless on account of the sudden change from the cool weather up country, I rose very early and went out. Presently I came to a Mosque, in front of which a number of persons were getting ready for prayer at dawn. I could not resist the temptation to go up to them and as I was able to make myself understood, they showed me how to perform the ablutions. After these they provided me in the outer part of the building with a suit of flowing oriental robes and a large turban, all quite new, and then took me into the

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16 sanctuary prepared. At the time I knew hardly anything of the ritual, but the Arabic I had acquired enabled me to understand what was going on and to join in the responses. I may add that this special Surah recited by the Imam, as I conclude from what I have learned since, must have been that of the SIJDAH, allotted to Friday morning. After the service, when we had come back to the place where I had dressed, the worshippers gathered round me, made me take a meal with them, and obtained my promise that I would embrace Islam at the earliest possible op portunity. It was now time for me to put on my own clothes, and to take a reluctant leave of them i but before doing so I had the further consolation of seeing and handling a Koran for the first time, as well as the satisfaction of making sure of my pronunciation by comparing that of an Arab from the Hejaz, who happened to be present, with the equivalent in the hand book I had studied. Nothing of importance followed till after we had reached our journey's end or indeed until I nerved myself for the dread ordeal of explaining at home that I felt it my duty formally to become a Muslim. I was about sixteen now and enjoyed a good deal more liberty than a few years back. I should, therefore, in all probability have been let alone if I had gone on practis ing my religion without calling particular attention to the fact. But the matter assumed an entirely different complexion the moment I proposed to openly defy public opinion by professing Islam, and no stone was left unturned to drive the idea out of my head. All that I cherished was subjected to constant derision,

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17 whilst as regards myself, taunts, sneers, and invectives, varied by harrowing appeals, were the order of the day. Soon came threats of every kind, the most alarming of which to one as completely ignorant of the law as I, was the holding of its rigours n terrore11t over me. I was given to understand that I could be lock ed up in a madhouse, and, worst of all, that the Musulmans with whom I had come in contact could be criminally prosecuted and condemned perhaps to long terms of hard labour for having interfered with a minor. One Sunday I was again informed with greater solemnity than ever, of this design to take action against them. A letter had already been written to set the law in motion, I was told, and would be sent off without fail unless I went to church that day, which would be taken as a sign that I had given up all my "folly". I tried by every means to get the decision revoked, but to no purpose: I could not bring myself to do what was demanded of me, on the other hand, and held out to the last, even remaining behind when the others left. Then my heart failed me for I knew they were taking the fatal letter, and I came up with the carriage by running frantically along a short cut. My surrender, however, went no further than being materially present at the service, during which I never opened my mouth. On first calling the circumstance to mind, I was disposed to wonder how I could have let myself be so greatly intimidated. My surprise lessens, however, as I consider that I am looking back at what actually took place, not at what might have been expected; for I have more than once in my own person found

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18 truth to be stranger than fiction, much as I have often seen Eastern sunsets so gorgeous that if it were possible to reproduce them on canvas, they would be taxed with exaggeration. More over, having always been kept under parental authority, given private tuition at home, and prevented from making friends with other young people, I still stood in unusually great awe of those set over me, a feeling that has clung to me throughout life, and had an indefinite notion that the power given them by the law was practically unlimited. Yet, even thus it could wring nothing more from me than outward and passive obedience, not calculated to outlive the compulsion from which it sprung. My elders who clearly saw this therefore determined to send me to England. Printed by E. J. BRILL, Leyden (IIolland).