[1] Mohammedanism is even called a heresy by a writer quoted
    by Prescott, “Ferdin. and Isab.,” p. 244.

[2] Kor. v. 85—­“Thou shalt find those to be most inclinable to entertain friendship for the true believers who say, We are Christians.  This comes to pass, because there are priests and monks among them.”  Kor. lvii. 27—­“As to the monastic state (Deus loquitur), the Christians instituted the same (we did not prescribe it for them) only out of desire to please God, yet they observed not the same as it ought truly to be observed.”  See also Kor. ix. 34—­“Verily many of the priests and monks devour the substance of men in vanity, and obstruct the way of God;” and Kor. xxiii. 55.

    [3] Kor. v. 89.  Sale’s note.

    [4] So Almanzor spared the monk of Compostella.  Al Makkari, ii.
    209.

    [5] See the interesting account, ibid., i. 114.

    [6] Al Makkari.

    [7] Al Makkari, i. 115.

    [8] Ibid., i. p. 406, note.

    [9] In the fourteenth century.

    [10] ?  Chapter 67.

    [11] Conde, ii. 154.  Unless the writer is referring to
    Christian nuns.

But over and above copying the institutions of Christianity, Islam shews signs of having become to a certain extent pervaded with a Christian spirit.  It is easy to be mistaken in such things, but the following anecdotes are more in keeping with the Bible than the Koran.  Hischem I. (788-796) in his last words to his son, Hakem I., said:  “Consider well that all empire is in the hand of God, who bestoweth it on whom He will, and from whom He will He taketh it away.[1] But since God hath given to us the royal authority and power, which is in our hands by His goodness only, let us obey His holy will, which is no other than that we do good to all men,[2] and in especial to those placed under our protection.  See thou therefore, O my son, that thou distribute equal justice to rich and poor, nor permit that any wrong or oppression be committed in thy kingdom, for by injustice is the road to perdition.  Be clement, and do right to all who depend upon thee, for all are the creatures of God."[3]

The son was not inferior to the father, and capable, as the following story shews, of the most Christian generosity.[4] One of the faquirs who had rebelled against Hakem being captured and brought into the presence of the king, did not shrink in his bigotry and hate from telling the Sultan that in hating him he was obeying God.  Hakem answered:  “He who bid thee, as thou sayest, hate me, bids me pardon thee.  Go, and live in God’s protection."[5]

    [1] Daniel, iv. 25, and Koran, ii. v. 249—­“God giveth His
    kingdom unto whom He pleaseth;” and Koran, iii. v. 24.

    [2] Galatians vi. 20—­“Let us do good unto all men, especially
    unto them that are of the household of faith.”