Observations on the Mussulmauns of India eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 594 pages of information about Observations on the Mussulmauns of India.

Observations on the Mussulmauns of India eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 594 pages of information about Observations on the Mussulmauns of India.

[14] This is incorrect, Sunnis very largely preponderating over
    Shi’ahs.  According to the latest information there were in the
    United Provinces of Agra and Oudh, nearly 6-1/2 million Sunnis and
    183,000 Shi’ahs (Imperial Gazetteer (1908), xxiv. 172).  This
    information was not collected in recent census reports.  In the whole
    of India, in 1881, there were 46-3/4 million Sunnis, as compared
    with 809,561 Shi’ahs.

[15] The correct list of the Imams recognized by the Imamiya or
    orthodox Shi’ahs is as follows:  ’Ali, son-in-law of the Prophet;
    Al-Hasan, son of ’Ali, Al-Husain, second son of ’Ali; ’Ali
    Zain-ul-’Abidin, son of Al-Husain; Muhammad Al-Baqir, son of
    Zain-ul-’Abidin; Ja’afar as-Sadiq, son of Muhammad Al-Baqir;
    Ar-Raza, son of Musa; Muhammad At-Taqi, son of Ar-Raza;
    ’Ali-an Naqi, son of Muhammad At-Taqi; Al-Hasan Al-Askari,
    son of ’Ali-an Naqi; Muhammad, son of Al-Hasan Al-Askari, or
    the Imam Al-Mahdi, who is believed to be still alive, and will
    appear in the last days as the Mahdi.

[16] Kafn, properly ‘a winding-sheet’.

[17] Qanat.

[18] The religious man generally prepares his own winding-sheet, keeping
    it always ready, and occasionally taking out this monitor to add
    another verse or chapter, as the train of thought may have urged at
    the time.  I have seen this done by the Meer Hadjee Shaah, who
    appropriated a piece of fine white cambric muslin, he had received
    from me, to this sacred purpose.  I have often been a silent observer
    of my revered friend whilst he was engaged in writing passages from
    the book whose rules he lived by.  The anticipated moment when he
    should require this his kuffin dress, was never clouded by dread, but
    always looked forward to with cheerfulness and fervent hope; for he
    trusted in the mercy of God whom he loved and worshipped. [Author.]
    [Many pilgrims buy at Mecca the shroud in which they desire to be
    buried, and wash it in the well Zamzam, supposing that the holy water
    will secure the repose of the soul after death.]

[19] Maccurrub means those angels who are at all times privileged to
    appear in the presence of God;—­they are supposed to have eyes of
    great brilliance.  In order that the Mussulmauns may have the reply
    ready for that awful moment, they have a custom of repeating the
    responses to the angel every evening, when the lamp is first lighted,
    as they say this sudden light resembles the angels’ eyes.  I had
    noticed the custom for some time, and fancied the Mussulmaun people
    worshipped light, until I was made acquainted with the real motive for
    this general observance both with the men and women. [Author.]
    [Muqarrab, ’those allowed to come near’.]

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Observations on the Mussulmauns of India from Project Gutenberg. Public domain.