Pilgrimage, Book 3 · Chapter 4
CHAP. IIII.
Of the Alcoran, or Alfurcan, containing the Mahumetane Law: the summe and contents thereof.
THe Booke of Mahomets Law is called by the name of Alcoran, which signifieth a collection of Precepts; and Alfurcan, (as it is expressed and expounded in a Booke aHarman. Dal. interprete.called the Exposition or Doctrine of the Alcoran) because the sentences and figures thereof are seuered and distinguished. For the Word of GOD, (sayth Mahomet in that Booke) came not to me all at once, as the Law vntounto Moses, the Psalmes to Dauid, and the Gospell to CHRIST. The Sentences or Chapters thereof are called Azoaras, which is interpreted a Face, as wee call them Capita, Heads. The Stile *The stile of it.is not in Meter, as some hauehave imagined: for Iosephus Scaliger bIn annotationibus in Euseb. Chron. Solum Canticum Mosis extreme Deuteronomie, prouerbia Salomonis, & totus ferè liber Iob quadam rythmi necessitate cohibentur, qui rhythmus est instar duarum dimetriarum Iambicarum—Sed allqnande pauciorum sunt syllabarum, aliquando plurium &c.—Nam vt in Hebraico, Syriaco, Arabico, et Abyssino idiomate vlla metri species concipi polsit, nemo efficere possit, quiaid natura sermonis non patitur. ….(a great Criticke, and reputed one of the greatest Linguists in the world) affirmeth, That that Language is not capable of metricall measures by quantities of Syllables; as neither the Hebrew, Abyssine, or Syrian. He sayth yet, That the Alcoran is composed in Rime, but such, as is not in any tunable proportion; but that word which maketh vp the Rime, being sometimes neerer, and sometimes farre beyond all harmonie, distanc from that word whereto it answereth. At the end of such Rimes are set the figures of Flowers, or some such matter: which if it bee so, the Turkish nicetie of making no likenesse of any thing in their Carpets, or other Workes, is stricter then these Alcoran-bookes themselues, and indeede is not common with them vntounto other Mahometanes, who vse their libertie in this point.
For the words and *The phrase.phrase; no man euer writ any thing in Arabian more rudely (sayth an Arabian Christian in confutation hereof) and much better might Muzeilenia, Heleaifi, and Alabazbi the Aethiopian, and Calbata Ellecdi, which vponupon emulation composed also euerie one an Aleoran, glorie of those their Workes, containing more honestie and truth. Neither hath it pleased any noble or wise man, but the rude vulgar: of which sort, the wearie labourers gladly gaue eare to his promise of Paradise, the poore delighted to heare of Gardens in Persia, and Bankrupts and Felons easily listened to securitie and libertie. The method *The method.is so confused, that our Arabian Author (who liued before it was so generally embraced, & in freer times) sayth, That hee had heard euen good Saracens affirme with griefe, that it was so mixed and heaped together, that they could finde no Reason in it. Bad Rime as you hauehave heard, and worse Reason. Hierome Sananorola cHieron. Sauan.hath the like saying, That no man can finde herein any order: Nor could so confused and foolish a Worke proceede from any naturall or supernaturall light. It is yet craftily *The subtiltie.contriued, when he hath set downe some wicked Doctrine, presently to lace and fringe it with Precepts of Fasting, Prayer, or Good manners. The Copies thereof *The agreement of copieswere diuerse; and after Mahomets death made (if it could be) worse, at least otherwise, then he left them. For Hali had one Copie left him by Mahomet, which the Iewes corrupted, adding, racing, changing at their pleasure, and promised him their assistance, if he would professe himselfe a Prophet. But Ozimen commaunded all the Bookes to be brought and deliuered into the hands of Zeidi and Abdalla, to bring all into one Booke, and, where they dissented, to reade after the Copie of Corais, and to burne all the rest.
They thus composed the Alcoran, whereof they left foure Copies, which after were lost. And yet Hali, Abitalib, and Ibenmuzed then refused to deliuer vp their Bookes: Whereupon arose diuerse Readings, and afterward diuerse Schismes; which to compound, others often endeuored by like labours after, but could not throughly perfect the same.
The *The truth of the matter in it.truth thereof is such in his deuisings of new, and eeking and altering the old, that it is not probable in Vines opinion, that euer he read the old and new Testament: for (saith dIo.Ludonic. Viu.he) though I thinke of him exceeding badly, yet thinke I him not so madde to change and wrest the Scripture, there especially, where it made nothing against him: but he had partly heard of such things, partly was so perswaded by his fellowes, Apostata-Iewes and Christians. This riming, harsh, confused, packing, worke, disagreeing each copie from other, and all from truth and honestie, hath beene *The Translaters.translated into Latine eAnno 1143.once by an English man, Robertus Retmensis; and after by Ioannes Segobienfis, a Spaniard, at the Councell of Constance, and after out of Italian into Arabian published by Andrea Ariuabene. The first, and last of these, that is, Retineufis and the Italian translations are heere by vsus followed.
It containeth chapters, or Azoard's 124. eueryevery of them beginning, In the name of the mercifull and pitifull GOD. The first fIn the Italian are 124. chapt. besides this first: and the Easterne Saracens, reckon it but one, Azo. to the fifth. Bellon. lib.3. diuideth it into foure bookes, and 201. chap.of these are the words of Mahomet, and is called the Mother of the booke, and is as it were their Creed: the rest are all deliuered as the words of GOD; he being induced as speaker. The first is in this sense. In the name of the mercifull and pitifull GOD. Thankes be vntounto GOD the LORD of the world, mercifull, pitifull, Iudge at the day of Iudgement. We pray vntounto thee: we trust in thee. Leade vsus into the right way, the way of them whom thou hast chosen, not of them with whom thou art angrie, and of the Infidels.
Of *Of God and Christ.GOD he gAzo. 12….writeth further, that he is One, necessarie to all, incorporeall, which neither hath begotten, nor is begotten, nor hath any like him: the Creator, long-suffering, searcher of the heart, true. That he will confound inchantments, that without his gift, none can beleeue (this his Alcoran,) that he hath no sonne, for he needeth nothing hAz. 20., and he which setteth a second in the place of GOD shall goe into hell, Az.31. and he hath no partaker, 32. yet in Azoar. 67. hee induceth God speaking thus: To CHRIST the SONNE of Mary wee hauehave giuen the Gospell, that by him men may obtaine the louelove and fauour of God: and that the beleeuers amongst them (Christians) shall receiue a great reward: as also in Az.. 2. he saith, EueryEvery one whosoeuer liueth rightly, be he Iew or Christian, or if he leaueth his owne Law, and embrace another, if he worship God, and doe good, shall vndoubtedly obtaine Diuine fauour. Of the birth of CHRIST he wrireth thus, Azo. 29. We sent our Spirit to Mary (the best of all women, and the wombe vntouched, Azoar.31.) in likenesse of a man, professing himselfe a Dluine messenger concerning a Sonne, &c. And when she in trauell plained, CHRIST came from vnderunder her, and said, Feare not: and when some chidde with her about the child, the child it selfe made answere, I am the Seruant and Prophet of GOD. He saith, the Iewes did not slay CHRIST, but one like him, Azo. 11. and vpbraideth them, for not receiuing him, Azo. and chap. 4. To CHRIST, the Sonne of Mary, properly communicating our owne soule, we hauehave giuen him strength and power more then other Prophets: yet chap.14. he excuseth that worship which is done him and his mother.
Concerning iOf his law, and the followers thereof.his Law and Alcoran, he handleth it in the second Chapter or Azoara, which beginneth thus. In the name of the mercifull and pitifull God. This booke without any false-hood or error, shewing the truth (to them which louelove, feare, and worship God, and are studious of prayers and almes) and the obseruation of the lawes giuen of God from heauen to thee and other thy predecessors, and the hope of the world to come, hath manifested the true sect. For this bringeth the followers thereof to the highest, inricheth them with the highest good, as to the vnbeleeuers and erroneous, it menaceth truly the greatest euill to come. This he after applieth to Paradise and hell. This his Alcoran he calleth the establishing of the Law of the Israelites: and Azo. 21. he arrogateth to his booke wisdome and eloquence: and 47. he saith, kAzoara 47.it was composed of the incomprehensible and wise God, eueryevery where agreeing with it selfe, and calleth it (63) the booke of Abraham: and (69.) if it should be placed on a mountaine, that mountaine for diuine feare would be dissolued. Those which will not be conuerted, take and slay, by all meanes intrapping them: and fight against them till they be your tributaries and subiects. The fifteenth part of all the prey is due vntounto God, and his Prophet, and to your kindred and orphans, and the poore. Those that are taken in warre kill or make slaues; but pardon them if they will turne to your law, and God also will pardon them. Such good warriours shall hauehave full pardon. The Iewes and Christians (contrarie to that he had said before) let God confound. He hath sent his messenger with the right way and good law, that he may manifest and extoll it aboue all lawes. Of the twelue months foure are to be consecrated to fight against the enemies. Those that refuse this war-fare lose their soules. The fire of hell is hotter then the danger of warre. And although thou (Prophet) shouldest pardon the resisters of God and his messenger seuentie times, yet God will neuer pardon them. The sicke and weake, and such as hauehave not necessaries, are excused from this necessitie of warre: but to the good warriours God giueth Paradise, in reward of their soules and goods, whether they kill or be killed. Azo. 18.19. And in 57. Kill the vnbeleeuers whom you conquer, till you hauehave made great slaughter. God could take vengoance on them, but he chuseth rather to doe it by you: he shall lay deafenesse and blindnesse on the fainthearted. Yet in 52. and 98. as contrarie to himselfe he affirmeth, that he is sent onelyonly to teach, not to compell and force men to beleeue: except we expound it rather, that Iewes, Christians, and all vnbeleeuers, are compelled to be tributaries, and their slaues; not forced to their religion, but instructed only; which agreeth with their practise. From this doctrine, and that of destinie in the 50. Az. hath risen their forwardnes to the warre, and the greatnesse of their conquests. Agreeable to this doctrine is their manner of teaching it: the Reader or Preacher (as saith Frier Richard, student amongst them in the Vniuersitie of Baldach) holdeth a bare sword in his hand, or setteth it vp in an eminent place, to the terrour of the gain-sayers.
But disputation lMahomet disclaimeth Diuine miracles, and humane disputations, prouing with the sword.and reasoning about his law he vtterly disliketh. Az.32. To such as will dispute with thee, answere that God knoweth all thy doings, which in the last day shall determine all controuersies. And 50. Nothing but euill cleaueth to the heart of such as vnwisely dispute of Diuine Precepts: but commend thou thy selfe vntounto God, that knoweth all things. And chap. 4. 15. He is commanded to goe away from such. This booke is giuen to take away discord from men: miracles he disclaimeth as insufficient proofe; for though it should make plaine the mountaines, and make the dead to speake, yet they would be incredulous: But it is thy dutie only to shew them my Precepts, Aza. 23.
Of the *Creation.Creation he affirmeth (Azo.2.) that when God had made the world, he disposed the seuen heauens: he told the Angels he would make one like vntounto himselfe in the earth: they answere, we in all things are subiect to your Maiestie, and giuegive praise vntounto you: but he will be wicked and a shedder of bloud. Then God testifying, that he knew a thing not knowne to the Angels, taught Adam the names of things by himself, not knowne to the Angels, and therefore commanded the Angels to doe reuerence before Adam, which wicked mBelzebub said he was made of fire, and therefore better then he which was made of earth. Azo.17.Belzebub refused; they obeyed. And Azo. 25. We made man of clay, and I breathed into him a portion of mine owne soule, after that I had created the diuell of Pestiferous fire; and because Belzebub refused to humble himselfe to this man (made of blacke mire) hee was damned, and when he desired respite till the resurrection, it was denied: and therefore he said he would teach all euill things, that they shall not giuegive thee thankes, &c. Of the Angels he affirmeth (45.) that some of them hauehave two wings, some three, some foure: and (52.) the heauen would fall vponupon men, were it not for the Angels that call vponupon God. There they shall possesse rings of gold, chaines, iewels, clothed with cloth of gold; their beds shall be of gold, and this for euer.
Of *Paradise.Paradise he dreameth in this sort, Az. 65. He which feareth God shall receiue the two Paradises ful of all good, pleasant with streaming fountaines. There they shall lie on silken and purple carpets, and shall be accompanied with many maidens, beautifull as the Hyacinth and pearles, neuer deflowred of men or Deuils, neuer menstruous, sitting in pleasant shades with their eyes fixed on their husbands: their eyes large, with the white of them exceeding white, and the blacke very blacke, lying on the shining greene. nThe Turkes Paradise a beastly carnall one.Faire yong men shall serue them with vials and other vessels, full of the most excellent liquor, which shall neither cause-head-ach, not drunkennesse, and shall bring them the choicest fruits, and flesh of fowles. They shall there heare no silthie or displeasing word: and (Azo. 86.) In Paradise shall be administred to them in well-wrought vessels of glasse and siluer, drinke, as the sauourie ginger, out of the fountaine Zelzebil: they shall hauehave garments of silke and gold, chaines of filuer, blessed wine, maidens likewise with prettie breasts: there tall trees of colour betweene yellow and greene. They shall hauehave in Paradise all pleasures, and shall enioy women with eyes faire, and as great as egges: sweet smelling riuers of milke, and hony, and fruits of all sorts. Of this Paradise, Auicenna (a Mahumetan) saith, that it concerneth the bodie, but wise Diuines more respect the minde; the felicity whereof, in coniunction with truth, they farre preferre before the other of the body.
Of Hell *Of Hell.he fableth that it hath seuen gates; that it shall make the wicked like to fleas, that they shall be fed with the tree Ezecum, which shall burne in their bellies like fire, that they shall drinke fire; and being holden in chaines of seuentie cubits, shall be kept sure; the fire shall cast forth embers like towers or camels. They which contradict shall be punished with the fire of hell: they which feare, shall goe into Paradise; and as it were in a *Of Purgatorie.middle space betwixt the one and the other, there shall stand some other with hope and expectation of Paradise. We hauehave set Angels ouer hell, and hauehave appointed their numbers (84.) 98. There shall bee fountaines of scalding waters, and they shall eat vponupon a reed, but shall not satisfie their hunger: they shall be bound in chaines, 121.
He *Of the Prophet Mahomet.sometime excuseth his owne basenesse, as Azo. 36. The vnbeleeuers (saith he) murmure that he is followed only of Weauers, and the raskall-rout. And 53. That the Alcoran was not committed to a man of great possessions: and they say, that it is Artmagicke, and that I hauehave fained it. And in 64. The Moone was diuided, and they say it is sorcery. (The tale is told by Frier Richard thus: Mahomet pointed to the Moone with his thumbe, and middle finger, and it was diuided, the two peeces falling on the hilles of Mecha, which entring into Mahomets coat was made whole againe) He oMahomet guilty of his witchcraft, often speaketh of it: that he may not be thought such a one.sometime extolleth himselfe, blasphemously inducing CHRIST, thus saying to the Israelites; O ye Israelites, I being sent a messenger vntounto you from GOD, affirme by the Testament which I hauehave in my hand, that a Messenger shall come after mee, whose name is Mahomet, of whom they shall say that he is a Magician. 71. His beastly prerogatiue he boasteth, (43.) saying, he is the seale and last of the Prophets. To thee O Prophet, we make it lawfull to lie with all women which are giuen thee, or which thou buyest, and thy Aunts, thy kindred, and all good women which freely desire thy company, if thou be willing: and this is permitted to thee alone. Diuorse these, couple thy selfe to those at thy pleasure. And being by some other of his wiues found in bed with Mary the wife of a Iacobite Christian, he sware that he would neuer after vse her company: but after being impotent in his lusts, he ordaines a law to himselfe, Az. 76. Why doest thou, O Prophet, make that lawfull, for the louelove of thy women, which GOD hath made vnlawfull? GOD full of pitie, and giuer of pardon, hath commanded thee to blot out, or cancell thine oathes.
Of his iourney to heauen, to receiue the Law, he speaketh. Az. 63. and 82. mingling iniunctions of deuotion. 83. Thou, O Prophet, rising in the night, spend halfe the night, or a little more or lesse, in watching, and continually and deuoutly read ouer the Alcoran: be thou iust, patient, and refuse not to wash thy garments, O thou man clothed in woollen. 43. Let none enter into the house of the Prophet before he call; but let him stand without the gate: let none do dishonestie within his house, let none hurt the Prophet in anything, or hauehave his wife after him.
Some *Of the Prophets in Scripture.Prophets he mentioneth, not named in Scripture; and of those there named he telleth many fables. Ismael was a true Prophet, and found a good man before GOD. Ioseph nine yeares imprisoned for the Queene. Abraham ouerthrew his fathers Idols, and should hauehave beene burned for the same; but the fire lost his force. The mountaines and birds that praise GOD, were subiect to Dauid. pSuch tales as these of Abraham, Salomon, &c. you shall find both in the Iewish and Popish Legends, as if the Iew, Papist and Mahumetan, had contended for the whetstone: which any one that readeth shall find.Salomon learned Magicke of Arot and Marot, Diuels so called: he knew the language of birds; and when he was in the middest of his armie, consisting of diuels, men, and birds: the Lapwing brought him newes of the Queene of Saba's comming, to whom by this Lapwing he sent a letter, &c. Of this armie the Ants or Pisinires being afraid; one Ant perswaded her fellowes to get them into their holes, lest they should be troden on. Moses married Pharaohs daughter. (37.) One Aseemel made the golden Calfe in the desert against Aarons will, Pharaoh requested Hemen to build a tower, whereon to climbe to heauen, to the GOD of Moses. (50.) In the time of Noe they worshipped Idols, whom he nameth Huden, Schnan, Iaguta, Iannea, Nacem.
The Prophet Huth was sent to the nation Haath, to teach them the worship of one GOD: and Schale to Themuth; and Schaibe to Madian; and Abraham and Lot to the Sodomites; on whom, because they were incredulous, it rained yellow and sharpe stones. (Az. 21.) Moses was sent to Pharaoh, &c. His scope of these narrations is, that he is sent likewise a Prophet, and therefore iudgement will pursue them which refuse him, as it did those incredulous nations. These sauour of a Iewish helpe. He telleth also of Alexander qAlexander, Mahomets fittest Saint to follow.Mag, that he had all knowledge: he found the Sunne, where it lay resting in a yellow fountaine, and the mountaines in which it riseth. And finding men without vse of speech, he diuided them from other men, &c. Az.28.
He proueth *Of the resurrection and last iudgment.substantially that there shall be a resurrection, by the historie of the seuen Sleepers, which slept in a caue 360. yeares. (28. Az.) and (49.) He saith, that at the time of death, GOD taketh away the soule at an houre knowne, restoring it to some; to some, neuer: at the first found of the trumpet all shall die, except those which shall be protected by the will of GOD: at the second sound all things shall reuiue, and be iudged: and (66.) The earth shall tremble, the mountaines shall be brought to dust, and the whole company shall be diuided into three parts, before: on the right hand, which shall be blessed; those on the left hand, in their left hands shall receiue the scroll or sentence of their condemnation. And 79. In the last Iudgement the earth shall bee ouerthrowne, the heauen shall be powred forth. 8. Angels shall beare vp the throne of GOD. And (80.) The heauens shall vanish as smoake, and the earth shall be plucked as wooll. And (111.) There shall be set vp the ballance of Iudgement: they to whom shall befall a light weight, shall liue, but they which hauehave a heauie weight shall be cast into fire. The booke of bad workes shall be kept in the bottome of the earth; the booke of good workes in a high place.
In diuers places of the, Alcoran; the better to colour his filthinesse, he hath dispersed good sentences, like roses scattered on a dung-hill, and flowers in a puddle: concerning almes, prayer, tithing, iustice, &c. Others he hath of another fort establishing his owne tyranny and religion. Morals and Iudieials.Az. 26. Swines-flesh, bloud, that which dieth alone, and that which hath the necke cut off, not in GODS name, is vnlawfull, rAzoar. 33. 34.Be chast euerie where, but with your owne wiues, or such as are subiect to you, and do serue you. EueryEvery adulterer shall hauehave an hundred stripes in the presence of many. He which accuseth a woman of adultery, not prouing it by foure witnesses, shall hauehave eightie. The iealous husband accusing his wife, must sweare foure times that he chargeth her truly; and a fifth time curse himselfe, if it be otherwise. The woman must doe the like to cleare her selfe. (43.) After a woman be diuorced from one, any other may marrie her. (19.) Trust not a sonne or a brother, except he be of your owne Law. 72. On Friday when they are called to prayer, they must lay all businesse apart: when prayers be ended, they may returne to their commodities. Redeeme captiues; and thy sinnes, by good workes. About Circumcision I find no iniunction in the Alcoran. In the 3. 8. and 9. Az. He permitteth all licenciousnesse with all women which they hauehave of their owne: but prescribeth washings after venery, and after naturall easements. LoueLove not your enemies: the women of another faith proue first: and if they fauour the vnbeleeuers, diuorce them. (70.) It is no sinne to reuenge iniuries. 52. the women must couer their faces. 43.
The going on sPilgrimage to Mecca.Pilgrimage, and the perpetuall abode at the Temple of Haran (that is, vnlawfull, because nothing but their holies are there lawfull) wee repute of equall merit. They which louelove it not, or do it iniurie, shall sustaine grieuous euils. Abraham founded this Temple, and blessed it, and cleansed it, for them which abode there, and for the pilgrims. He tAbraham author of pilgrimage rites.preached one GOD without partaker, and the pilgrimage to this Temple, that on the dayes appointed they might, in naming GOD, sacrifice beasts, wherewith to feast themselues and the poore, and might fulfill their vowes, and goe in procession round about the old Temple, a worke which GOD will greatly reward. Az. 32. and 19. The vnbeleeuers are not worthy to visite the Temple Haran. And these good pilgrims are not equal to the good warriours. 38. He entred into the Temple Haran with his head shauen.
Ridiculous is the confirmation of this holy Law, by such varietie of oathes, as I am almost afraid to mention, in regard of our Gull-gallants of these times, who would sometimes be at a sette in their braue and brauing phrases, if they should not hauehave varietie of oathes and curses, to daube vp with such interiections all imperfections of speech, & make smoother way for the current of their gallantrie. His oathsBut yet euen for their sakes, let vsus mention a few, that they may see Mahomet had as braue a humour this way as they. He induceth GOD swearing by lesse then himselfe, as by the order of Angels, by the Alcoran, by the blowing windes, by the watery clouds, by the sailing ships, by the Mount Sinai, the heauen, the sea, the euening Starre, the West, his pen and lines, the guiltie soule, the diuels, by the morning, ten nights, the Passeouer, by the figges and oliues, by the dawning, and twilight, and a world more of the like: only he saith (Azoara 1000.) that he may not sweare by the earth, nor by the sonne like to the father.
His last Azoara endeth thus, In the names of the mercifull and pitifull GOD: Sanctifie thy selfe, and pray continually and humbly to him which is Lord of all nations, Lord of all, God of all, that he will defend and deliuer thee from the diuell, which entereth the hearts of men, and from diuellish and peruerse men.
They which eate the inheritance of orphans, euerlasting fire shall eate them. Iust dealing.Be faithfull in keeping and deliuering their goods, for God taketh knowledge of all accounts. Let one sonne hauehave as much as two daughters. In bargaining vse no lying, slaying your owne soule. The couetous shall hauehave endlesse punishment: he that killeth vnwillingly, shall giuegive to the kindred of the partie slaine, another man; or if he cannot do that, let him fast two months together: he which killeth wilfully shall be cast into the fire.
Salute him which saluteth thee, for salutation is much pleasing to God. Courtesie.56. The diuels hearing the Alcoran, shall be conuerted, and flie from their companions.
Yee which are god, beleeue in God, in his Messenger, and in the booke sent from heauen. The Law.They which first beleeue, and after deny, and become incredulous, shall hauehave no pardon nor mercy of God, but shall goe into the fire. And (11.) We will bring infinite euill vponupon him, that will not obey God and his messenger, and will be disputing. To them which uNot to dispute nor seeke a signe in proofe of the Law.demand that the booke may raine vponupon them from heauen, thou shalt say that some asked a greater thing of Moses, that he would shew God vntounto their eyes, and were therefore smitten with lightning from heauen. (12.) To the Iewes and Christians God hath giuen disagreements, till God shall determine the same at the day of iudgement. Make not your selues companions of them which deride our Law. No man receiueth the perfection of the Law, but he which beleeueth the Testament, the Gospell, and this booke sent of God. 14. They which erre will say, let God shew vsus miracles. These hurt none but their owne soules, for if they should see all xThe fox will eate no grapes because they are sowre, and hang too high.miracles done, they would dispute with thee, saying, that they could not be done but by inchantments. Thou shalt not come to them with manifest miracles; for they would refuse them, as odious things. 15. Dispute not with them which will not heare; and if they demand miracles, say, God only doth them: I know not the secrets of God, and follow nothing but that which God and the Angell hath commanded: and if Angels should speake to such, they would not beleeue. 16. God himselfe and his blessed Spirit hauehave compounded this most true booke. 26. 44. They which say his law is new or fained, goe to the diuell. 47. He induceth some gainsayers, saying, we will not leaue worshipping our images for this iester and rimer. Yet is he alone come with the truth, confirming all the other messengers. 55. He saith I (GOD) writ this booke with my owne hand. 56. The vnbeleeuers say I am a Magician, and hauehave fained it: but then I pray GOD that I may hauehave no part in him when he shall be our Iudge. Say not there are three Gods, but one God alone without a Sonne, to him all things are subiect. CHRIST cannot deny but that he is subiect to GOD, as well as the Angels. 12. We sent CHRIST, to whom we gaue the Gospell, which is the light and confirmation of the Testament, and the right way to him which feareth GOD, by the fulfilling of your law. All that say that CHRIST is GOD, are vnbeleeuers and liars (CHRIST himselfe hauing said, Yee children of Israel beleeue in your God and my Lord) of whom he which will be partaker, shall be cast into the fire eternall. CHRIST is but the messenger of God, before whom were many other messengers: and his mother was true, and they did eate. Good people exalt not your selues in your law, further then the truth. 3. The soule of CHRIST was cleane and blested, he cured the leaprous, raised the dead, taught wisdome, the Testament, and the Gospell. The vnbeleeuing Israelites beleeued that he was a Magician. And 34. We hauehave giuen a good place and abounding with water to the Sonne of Mary, and to her, for hauing done such miracles in the world.
Worship one God alone. Sentences.Honor thy father and mother, and doe them good. GiueGive them no bad word when they are old. Be subiect with al humility, and pray God to pardon them. GiueGive to the poore and to your kindred, but not superfluously: for they that doe superflously are of kinne to the diuell. Slay not your children for no cause. Be yee not fornicators; for that is wickednes, and a bad way. Be reuenged on murtherers. Say nothing till ye know it; for you must giuegive account of your saying. 26. in disputing or reasoning vse only good words. Answere in honest sort to him which asketh thee. 27. Be iust in weight and measure. 37. The diuell standeth ouer the makers of songs and lies, that is, the Poets, if they amend not, doing good. 68. If you cannot giuegive, be daily in prayers. Pay your tithes, following God and the Prophet. They which do not good but for vaine-glory and ostentation, shall be damned. 118. The histories which are in the old Testament, are so cited by him, as if he neuer had read them, so many dreames and lies are inserted.
Before Prayer wash the face, the hands, the armes vp to the elbow, the feete vp to the ankles; and after carnall company wash in the Bath: and if water cannot be had, with dust of cleane earth. Prayer.God desireth cleannesse. 9. In prayer let them be sober, that they may know what they say. 2. God will not aske why men pray not toward the East, for the East and West is his; but will demand of the workes which they hauehave done, of their almes, pilgrimages, and prayers. He commandeth that they be humble in prayer, and that in prayer they turne towards Mecca. EueryEvery one which shall pray, asking that which is good, which way soeuer he shall turne him, shall be heard of God: although the true manner of praying be toward the center of the Temple of Mecca. They which are good, make their prayers to helpe them by their patience and abstinence. God dwelleth in such men. Pray according to the vsuall custome in all places, the footman on foot, the horseman on his horse.
He that giueth his owne for Gods sake, is like a graine that hath seuen eares, euerie of which containeth an hundred graines. Almes.Good men lose not your almes by vainglorie. 4. GiueGive almes of the good gaines of your money, and of that which the earth produceth; but God respecteth not gifts of that which is vniustly gotten. Satan perswadeth you to giuegive nothing for feare of pouertie. To giuegive almes publikely is good, but to giuegive priuately is better: and this blotteth out sinnes. GiueGive specially to those which stay in one place, and are ashamed to aske. 6. God will giuegive Paradise to them which in time of famine and scarfitie giuegive liberally, and which receiue iniuries, and repent of their sinnes.
The Creator said, I am the onelyonly Creator, alwaies the same, pitifull, mercifull, besides whom there is none other; whose miracles and great workes are vntounto the wise the frame of heauen and earth, the intercourse of night and day, the shippes in the sea fit for the vse of men, raine for the refreshing of the earth, the composition of all creatures, the windes, the clouds, &c. 15. inuoke and worship one GOD alone; 43. God.All the miracles of GOD cannot be written, if all the trees in the world were pens, and the sea seuen times greater, and were inke; with whom it is a small thing to raise the dead.
They which are intreated to beleeue the Diuine Precepts, say, they will follow their ancestors in their sect. Tradition.What would yee follow your fathers if they were blinde or deafe? Will ye be like them in being mute, blind, and foolish?
O good men, eat that good which he hath giuen you, & giuegive him thankes; aboue all other things calling vpō him. Meates.Abstaine from that which dieth of it selfe, from swines flesh, from bloud, and from eueryevery other creature that is killed, and not in the name of the Creator. But in case of necessitie it is not sinne; for GOD is mercifull, and will forgiue you this. 12. Eat not of that which is drowned, burned in the fire, and touched of a Wolfe. 16. Eat nothing which hath not before beene blessed. To the Iewes we made many things vnlawfull, because of their wickednesse. 2. Hee which shall contradict this booke, shall continually bee consumed in vnquenchable fire, and none of his workes shall helpe him.
EueryEvery one which draweth nigh to death, let him leaue of his money to his family and kindred to distribute in almes, and they which shall change that vse, shall be iudged of the Creator, &c.Death.
We enioyne vntounto you (as to your predecessors) fasting in the time thereto appointed, and in a certaine number of daies, that is, in the monethmonth Romadan, in which, this booke (which discerneth betweene good and euill) was sent you from heauen. Fasting and Pilgrimage.EueryEvery one must obserue it, but the sicke and traueller, and let them doe the same in the remainder of the time. The rich vse of satisfie their fasting with almes; let them do both the one and the other. He permitteth you the vse of your wiues in the night, because it is hard and impossible to abstaine. But let none vse their company in the Temples. Fast all the day, and when night is come, eate and drinke as much as you please, till the morning. By the Moone is knowne the time of Pilgrimages, and of fastings, whereby is knowne that you louelove and feare GOD. Spend your money in the louelove of GOD in Pilgrimage, not despairing. He that is impotent, and that is not accompanied of his wife in the pilgrimage, must fast three daies in the voyage, and seuen after his returne. To the sicke, fasting with almes is sufficient. They which purpose this pilgrimage, let them not giuegive their minds to any euill. Let them not be ashamed to aske necessaries. 2. Hold it for iust and good to enter the house at the doore, not at the side, or back-side thereof. 35. Salute those which ye meet, when ye enter into the house.
To them that doubt of wine, of chesse, scailes, and of tables, thou shalt say that such sports, and such drinkes are a great sinne, and although they be pleasant or profitable yet are they hurtfull sinnes: if they say what shall we then doe, thou shalt say, The good things of God. Drinkes and Games.Perswade them to seeke the Orphanes, and succour them, as their brethren, or else God will make them so poore, that they shall not be able to helpe either themselues or others. 13. Wine, chesse, and tables are not lawfull, but the diuels inuentions, to made debate amongst men, and to keep them from doing good. Let none go on hunting in the pilgrimage month.
Take not a wife of another law, nor giuegive your daughters to men of another law, except they before conuert to your law. Women.Let no man touch a woman in her disease, before she be well cleansed. Vse your wiues, and the women which are subiect to you, where and how you please. Women which are diuorced, may not marry till after foure moneths, hauing had three times their menstruous purgation. Let them not deny their husbands their company at their pleasure. They are the heads of the women. After a third diuorce from one man, they may not marry the same man againe, except they hauehave in the meane time beene married to another, and be of him diuorced. Let the women nurse their children two yeares, recoiuing necessaries of the fathers. After buriall of a husband, let them stay vnmarried foure moneths, and ten daies; and not go out of the house in a yeare after. Take ye two, three, foure wiues, & finally as many as in your minde you are content to maintaine and keepe in peace. It is vnlawfull to marrie with the mother, daughter, sister, aunt, neece, nurse, or the mother or daughter of the nurse; and take not a whore to wife. 9. Let the wiues keepe their husbands secrets, or else let them be chastised, and kept in house and bed, till they be better. 10. Let the husband seeke to liue peaceably with his wife. 31. Cast not thine eyes on other mens wiues, though they be faire, &c.
Sweare not in all your affaires by GOD and his names. Swearing.They which forsweare themselues shall hauehave no good thing in the world to come. And 35. Sweare not rashly, for GOD seeth euerything.
We giuing our soule to CHRIST the Sonne of Marie, preferred him before all others, that had beene exalted by me, to speake with GOD, to power and vertue. Christ.He inserteth the prayer of the Virgins mother, when she felt her selfe with child, by Ioachim: and maketh Zacharie to be the Virgins Tutor. 5. Who (he saith) for his vnbeleefe was dumbe three dayes. The Angels saluted Marie, saying, O thou the purest of all women and men, deuoted to GOD, Ioy vntounto thee of that great Messenger, with the word of GOD, whose name is IESVS CRHIST, an excellent man, at the command of the Creator: he shall come with Diuine power, with knowledge of all learning, with the booke of the Law and Gospell; shall giuegive Commandements to the Israelites: shall giuegive life; cure diseases; shew what is to be eaten, and to be done; shall confirme the old Testament; shall make some things lawfull, which before were vnlawfull, &c. He acknowledgeth that his mother knew not man. 11. They say (the Iewes) that they killed CHRIST, the Sonne of Mary, the Messenger of God, but it was not true, but they crucified in his stead another like him; for the incomprehensible God caused him to goe vntounto him. IESVS is the Spirit, and Word, and Messenger of God, sent from heauen. 11.
Offer violence to no man in respect of the Law, for the way of doing good and euill is open. Forcing to beleeue.4. God gaue first the Testament, then the Gospell, and lastly the true Booke, the Alfurcan of your Law, in confirmation of those former.
They which liue of vsurie shall not rise againe otherwise then the Diuels: they embrace that which God hath said is vnlawfull: but they say vsurie is as merchandize. Vsurie.Yee which are good feare God, and forsake vsurie, left the anger of God, and of the Prophet, assaile you. Take onelyonly the principall; and if he cannot pay you, stay till he can, and giuegive him almes; for this shall be better for you.
He which repenteth him, and leaueth his sinne, obtaineth pardon, and the cancelling of that which is past; but returning againe thereto, he shall suffer eternall fire. Repentance.In the 5. VntoUnto bad men is denied humane and diuine merciemercy, except they repent. God careth little for the conuersion of them, which, after that of Infidels they are made beleeuers, become worse. Such shall suffer without any remission intollerable punishment. 10. God pardoneth lesse faults, but not criminall.
Let no man reckon him a good friend, which is an vnbeleeuer, except it be for feare. Friendship.If betwixt you there grow discord, laying aside all stomacke, doe the will of God, and become brethren together, imitating God, who hath deliuered you from the fire, and from dangers. 6. God would not that any should doe euill to those of his owne Nation, and those which consent to your Law, but rather their profit and commoditie.
Thinke not that euer Paradise shall be open vntounto you, if you be not first valiant and couragious in battaile: and before you enter into battaile, prepare your selues for death: and after the death of the Prophet Mahomet, defend the orders by him giuen with armes. Infidels.No man can die, but when God will, that is, when his time is come. Those which flee out of the warre, are prouoked of the Diuell; but God pardoneth them which repent. They which die in the way of God, are not truely called dead: They liue with God. Let none feare them which are gouerned of the Diuell. 7. Be patient, and you shall hauehave eternall life. 10. Accompany not with vnbeleeuers, neither in friendship, nor other businesse. They which goe on war-fare for God and the Prophet, shall receiue abundance in the earth, and after death the merciemercy of God.
They which refuse (except they be sicke or children) shall be cast into hell. Neglect not prayers in your expeditions. Some may pray, whiles others stand in armes. Pray not for them which hurt their owne soules. 18. Looke to your selues that there be no discord amongst you.
Thus hauehave I endeuoured to bring some order out of confusion, and hauehave framed these heads out of that Alcoran-Chaos *Magdeburgenses in Centuria 7. hauehave also gathered some heads of this headlesse monster, which they that will may there reade., where is scarce either head or taile: this tale they hauehave and beleeue (for what will not? what shall not they beleeue, which refuse to beleeue the Truth?) that hee which readeth this booke a thousand times in his life, shall hauehave a woman in Paradise, whose eye-browes shall be as large as the raynebow.